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Wicked Wednesday: Reviews

Posted on February 18, 2015 | 2 comments

By unknown ... AKB? Anna K? Brassey [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By unknown … AKB? Anna K? Brassey [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I’ve been writing reviews for a long time. I didn’t start out writing reviews for sex toys – I actually started out doing music reviews for a SIG I belonged to. The CDs I’d get (along with tons of promotional material) were mostly alternative at first – The Falling Walendas and Dread Zeppelin to name a few,  one or two that snuck in that were rap (and probably the shortest reviews I’ve ever written: It’s rap – enough said.) Then one day I got a metal CD, and somehow I was the only one in the group that loved metal, so I got to review all of them that our fearless leader got in. I never got to pick the CDs, but I did discover some bands I still love to this day (Godsmack) and some that I own way too much of (Motorhead).

During the time I was writing music reviews, I had the opportunity in another SIG to write movie and book reviews. This was a horror group, and the movies were just movies I’d seen and felt the need to expand on, but every few months a new book would arrive for review. I found some I loved and some I hated, and it was a great way to expand my libraries.

So how did I end up reviewing sex toys and other erotic items? Quite a few years back now, I stumbled on a review program for an online merchant. The pitch? Free sex toys if you’ll write reviews. They required a sample review, and I sent it in and got accepted. We could only pick one toy every few months or so, and we had to send in the review to be approved before it was published on the site. When I wrote my first real review, it was actually returned with a note that it had too much information about the toy, and not enough about my experience (that whole formula changed on the site for the worse in the years to follow, but originally it was more about personal opinion than anything else). Over the years, i wrote reviews for books and movies as well, and also started reviewing these items for other authors, sites, and manufacturers. I still review a lot of sex toys and books on my blog, and also about 5-10 porn DVDs a month on another site – I think my sex toy collection is only surpassed by the sheer amount of porn I own.

I enjoy writing reviews. For me, it’s fun to discover new products, whether they’re books, movies, or toys, and I also like to share my opinion (not my humble opinion, as I often say).  I write reviews differently depending on what the item is and who the audience is. For books, I read the book through once, and then jot down notes and sometimes go back and reread parts or find quotes. It’s a similar process with CDs – I’ll listen to the CD all the way through, and then go back and write. When I review porn, I usually write the review while I’m watching (admittedly with breaks if the scenes are good). With sex toys, I’ll usually jot down basic information, then write the review after I’ve used them a few times.

The best tips I have are to get the important information in the review – obviously this varies on the review type – and know your audience. It’s different writing a review of a short-story compilation than a novel, for example, or writing for a hard-core review site or your own blog. Be descriptive, point out the pros and cons, and give your honest opinion overall. You’ll often find that not everyone feels the same way you do – but that’s what makes reviews great.

Check out the other Wicked Wednesday posts!
Wicked Wednesday... a place to be wickedly sexy or sexily wicked

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C’Mon and Love Me

Posted on February 16, 2015 | Comments Off on C’Mon and Love Me

It’s a new year, and a great time to try out new sex toys! Recently I had the opportunity to try out the Loveo Ione, a new erotic massager wand by Loveo Co, who sent it to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

loveopinkintheboxThe Loveo Ione comes in a black box covered by a pink slip cover that’s in the color of the toy.  The cover has product information on one side, and a drawing of the product on the other. The box has a lift-off lid, and a foam insert for the toy to rest on. The box includes the Ione, a USB charging cable, a wall adapter, a black storage bag, and a small instruction booklet.

loveopinkallpartsIone is made of a raspberry silicone that is firm and smooth to the touch with just a bit of drag. It is about 8 1/2″ long (measured straight up and down), and it has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to hold and use in a variety of positions, and the silicone is seamless. Silver-plated ABS plastic runs down the front of the toy’s handle and around the control buttons.

Ione’s head is about 1 1/2″ in diameter and 2” long. It’s a great size to hit your clit and the surrounding area. The neck is slightly flexible, allowing you to place Ione where you want it and still comfortably hold it during use.

loveopinkchargeThis is a rechargeable vibrator, and the Li-ion battery, when fully charged, will allow you to use the toy for about 2 hours. The charging port is on the back side of the toy’s handle, and the jack is easy to fully insert. This is USB chargeable, so you can plug it into your computer’s port, or use the provided wall adapter. The control panel flashes when Ione is charging, and it glows steadily when the charge is complete.

The three buttons that control Ione are located on the front of the handle, and are, from top to bottom,  +, o, and -. The plus button increases the intensity of the vibrations and the – button decreases them; there are 3 different vibration levels in all. The o button will turn Ione on or off if pressed for 3 seconds, and will also change the vibration pattern (there are 7 total) and activate the touch control.  When Ione is placed in touch control mode, the vibration intensity decreases about 30%, according to the manual, and will increase to the maximum when you touch your body with the top of the toy.

loveopinkbuttonsIone features vibrations that are moderately rumbly and somewhat buzzy. On the high setting they are quite strong, stronger than, I think, the Lelo SmartWand that I have. The vibrations aren’t terribly loud, although they are louder in the touch control mode, and any kind of background sound from the TV or music will mask the sound.  The vibrations aren’t localized to the head, and travel all the way down the handle.

This is a water-resistant, and not waterproof, toy, so you won’t be able to use this in the shower or tub. It is easy to clean with soap and warm water, or you can use a toy spray or toy wipes. It can be air dried or towel-dried, and stored in either the included storage bag or in its box. Water-based lube is recommended, but if you prefer silicone or hybrid lubes, you can do a spot test on the bottom of the handle first.

loveopinkinhandSo, Did It Work? Overall, I like this vibrator. The size is great for clitoral stimulation, as the head covers a good area. The handle is easy to hold, and the buttons are easy to reach. The vibrations are strong, and there’s a good variety of patterns. I also like that the patterns have 3 intensity levels to choose from. I usually use clit vibrators on high, and the vibrations are strong enough to get me to orgasm without much trouble.  I also like that there isn’t a seam around the head, so it’s a lot easier to clean than the Fairy Miniature, for example.

The instructions that come with this don’t completely match the toy – my on/off are not the +/- buttons, but rather the o button.  I think I’ve got the touch control by pressing the o button for a shorter amount of time than turning Ione off – the vibrations do seem somewhat less intense (I’m not sure if it’s 30% or not), and they get louder than they are when the toy is on regular mode, although they’re still not overwhelmingly loud.

Thank you to Loveo Co for sending me the Ione for free to review! If you’re interested in checking out this clitoral vibrator, you can pick one up at Pleasure’s Peak.

 
Luxury Pleasure Toys for Women

This product was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.

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Lust In Lime

Posted on January 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Lust In Lime

It’s the start of a new year, and time to check out more sex toys! To start January out right, Jopen sent me the L5, one of the interesting and colorful vibrators from their Lust line, for free in exchange for this review.

l5boxThe Lust L5 comes in a pretty pastel box with a picture of the toy on the back. The box has a magnetic lid, making it ideal for storage, and inside the box are the L5 in a foam bed, a USB charging cord, and a small informational booklet (there’s also a one year warranty).  I received mine in lime (it also comes in purple and pink), and it’s a beautiful, warm shade.

l5inboxThe L5 (and its sister vibes, the L6 and L7) have a truly unique look, with an overall clean design. The L5 is about 7 3/4″ long overall and covered with a l5wingsspreadseamless, smooth-feel silicone that has very little drag to the surface. The top half of the vibrator looks something like a budding flower, with a larger center and two delicate petals that extend over the top. The center is about 1 3/4″ long and 1” wide, with a rounded tip and gentle bulge. The petals are large, at 3 1/4″ long and 1 1/2″ wide, and they can flex out from the center to quite a wide angle. You can see the possibilities for their placement and use.

l5chargeonbottomThis is a rechargeable vibrator, and the charging port is on the bottom of the toy. The charging jack slips easily into the port, and it can be connected to your computer’s USB port or a wall adapter. The charging time is fast – just 2 hours for a full charge – and the L5 will run for 2 hours on high or 3 hours on low.  When charging, a led light flashes behind the upper control button on the front of the shaft; this light glows steady when charging is complete.

l5buttonsThe Lust L5 has two buttons on the front of the base (this is if you consider the petals to rise to the sides). The bottom button is an on/off button, and the top button controls the L5’s functions.  There are not graduated vibrations, but rather set speeds for the ten different steady, pulsating, and reverberating functions. On any of the functions, the L5 is very quiet. The vibrations are on the rumbly side and strong, and are strong in the center insertable. Depending on how you have the petals placed, they will carry the vibration of the center, although the strength you’ll feel will vary.

This is a completely waterproof vibe, so it’s safe (and fun) to take it into the bath.

The L5 is fairly easy to clean, and can be washed before and after use with antibacterial soap, a toy cleaner, or toy wipes. Care should be taken to clean where the petals connect to the body. Once dry, the L5 can be stored in its box or in a toybag. Water-based lube is recommended, but if you prefer to use a silicone or hybrid lube, do a spot test close to the bottom of the shaft first.

l5inhandSo, Did It Work? I was thrilled to get the Lust L5 in lime green – this has to be one of my favorite sex toy colors (or really, colors for almost anything), as it’s reminiscent of spring. And, hey, it’s green. The vibrations on all of the settings are strong, and enough to get me to orgasm. I also love that I can take this into the tub.

I was immensely curious about the use of the L5 when I’d seen pictures of it online, and I actually pulled out the instruction manual first (yes, I know, just what you’re supposed to do) to see what to do. However, the manual just points out the parts and features of the L5 – it doesn’t say anything about use. Obviously, this meant lots of experimenting.

I tried the L5 with the petals outspread and the center inserted. The petals are long enough to cover a wide area, and the vibrations and patterns are pleasant this way, although the center’s penetration is a bit too shallow for me, and the petals don’t transmit the vibrations as well when they’re spread out so far. Since the petals come close together, I also tried them as clitoral stimulators. They’ve got a light touch, which is good for foreplay, but using the center works even better. It’s firm and has a good vibration for this type of stimulation, and the petals add some stimulation.

My favorite way to use the L5, however, is with the petals inserted, along with the center. While it looks like it would be awkward to insert, the petals stay together and are gently tapered enough to make insertion easy once they’re lubed up. The petals add some length and girth to the toy, and when the L5 is  turned on, the petals add some movement inside that feels really good.

I like the fact that the L5 has an instant off button – because there are those times you’ve got to shut down in a hurry.

Thank you to Jopen for sending me the Lust L5 for free to review! If you’d like to start the new year off right with this unusual and powerful vibrator, you can pick up the L5, or other Lust line vibrators,  at SheVibe by clicking on the widget below. And don’t forget to check out Jopen on Facebook and Twitter!

This product was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.

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Something To Bite On

Posted on December 14, 2014 | Comments Off on Something To Bite On

calexbitboxI’ve had the opportunity to review several of the items in Cal Exotics’ Scandal bondage line, and all of them have been fun. I love how they all coordinate with each other, allowing me to mix and match the pieces I want to use and still get a sexy, elegant look for the evening. This month, as part of Cal Exotics’ Sexpert program, I received an item I’d been wanting to try for a while – the Scandal Bar Gag – for free to review.

The Scandal Bar Gag comes in a large cardboard box, with a picture of the item on the front and back. Inside, the Gag comes sealed inside a plastic bag.

calexbitpic1The gag consists of two pieces – the bar and the straps. The bar is about 5 3/4” long and has a gentle curve. It has a 1/2” diameter, through which the fabric tie is threaded. The bar is made of phthalate-free PVC, and it has no smell or taste.  The bar is firm, but it will flex a bit. You can bite into the bar as well – if you bite for a long time, or very hard, teeth marks will appear on the bar. Depending on just how hard you bite, the marks may slowly disappear, or the indentations from your teeth may remain.

The fabric tie is 2 1/2” wide and about 53” long. It’s made of polyester, and is red with a black lace overlay, like the other pieces in the Scandal line.  The bar gag is centered on the tie, and then two simple knots on either side of the bar hold it in place, leaving about 22 1/2” on each side to tie. The gag is easy to tie, and its length allows it to hit a variety of head sizes.

calexbitThe bar can be wiped with soap and water, then dried. If necessary, the tie can be wiped with a wet cloth and allowed to dry before storing the gag away. It doesn’t take up much space, and can be stored in a drawer or bag. If necessary, the tie can be unknotted and pulled out from the gag. After washing and drying, a small rod (a pencil will do) will be necessary to push the fabric through the bit so it can be retied.

So, Did It Work? I’d never tried a bar gag before, so this was a good one to start with. I liked the size of the bar – it didn’t make me open my mouth too widely when i had it in, and I liked that I could bite into it if necessary. It doesn’t muffle sound, as you might expect, but it does make talking fairly unintelligible. The straps were easy for my husband to tie around my head, and they were comfortable where they touched my skin.  I love that this matches the rest of the Scandal line, and it gives us some variety when we play.

Thank you to Cal Exotics for sending me this bar gag to review! If you’d like to try out a bar gag, this one from the Scandal line is a good choice – it’s pretty, well made, and inexpensive, and it coordinates nicely with other products in the Scandal line, which include bed restraints, a hog tie set, and a collar with leash. If you’re interested in trying this one out, you can pick it up at SheVibe by clicking on the widget below.

 

This product was provided to me for free in exchange for an unbiased review. This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.

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Seven Minutes To Heaven

Posted on December 12, 2014 | Comments Off on Seven Minutes To Heaven

Rabbits are peeking out everywhere, and while they may seem more for spring, they’re definitely worth checking out this Christmas holiday season! This week, I had the pleasure of trying out the Envy 7, one of 12 toys in the Jopen Envy line, which Jopen sent to me for free in exchange for a review.

envyboxThe Envy 7 from Jopen, which has a one year warranty, comes in a sturdy black box with a pink color wave on the front. On the back is a picture of the toy along with a description of its features. The box has a magnetic lid, and flips open, making it suitable for storage. Inside are the toy and a USB charging cord resting in foam, as well as a booklet explaining care and use.

envyinboxThis rabbit vibrator is only available in pink – and it’s a rich, bright color. The toy is made of firm silicone, which is smooth and has very little drag to the surface.  It’s on the smaller side for rabbits: just 7 1/4″ long overall, and it has a flat bottom so it can stand upright.

envyinhand2The Envy 7’s shaft is about 4 1/2″ insertable. The head has a gentle taper, and widens to 1 1/2″ before narrowing closer to the base. It’s completely smooth, and has a gentle curve to hit your G-spot during use. One of the Envy 7’s motors is located in the shaft’s head. The shaft is firm, and doesn’t flex.

Like traditional rabbit vibrators, the Envy 7’s clitoral arm has a bunny shape, complete with ears, although it’s quite stylized. The arm is 2 1/2″ long and 1 1/4″ wide at its widest point. The clit arm also has a motor for strong vibes where they’re needed. The arm can flex outward a bit from the shaft, but it doesn’t have a wide range of movement.

The motors can run separately or together, but if both are turned on, they will have the same pattern.

envybottombuttonsThis is a rechargeable vibrator. The charging jack slips into a small hole on the bottom of the base, and then the Envy 7 can be plugged into a computer or wall USB charger. Charging is quick: it’s fully charged in just 2 1/2 hours. The Envy 7 will run for about 45 minutes on high, and up to 2 1/2 hours on low. LED lights will flash red when charging, and will go out when charging is complete.

envybottomlitThe Envy 7 has a locking feature, making it great for travel. It arrives locked – to unlock, simply push both bottom buttons for about 4 seconds. The Envy 7 will briefly buzz to indicate it’s been locked or unlocked.

This rabbit vibrator has 3 buttons for control: one below the clit arm on the base, and two on the bottom of the toy. The front button can be used once the toy is turned on – it controls which of the motors are on, either just the shaft, just the clit arm, or both.

envyfrontandbotbuttonsThe two bottom buttons are labeled “I” and “F”. The “I” button is to the left when the Envy 7 is inside of you, and the “F” button is to the right.  To turn on the Envy 7, press “I” once. The vibrations will start out low and steady. By pressing and holding the “I” button, the strength of the vibrations increase, up to very strong and thuddy, not buzzy. Pressing the “F” button will cycle through the 7 various pulsing and escalating patterns the Envy 7 has.  The buttons will glow with red LED when the Envy 7 is on.

Envy 7 also has something cool –  a memory chip to resume the last function used. Simply press the “F” button when the vibrator is off, and it will start up where you left off, so no more hunting for your favorite setting. You will have to hold down the “I” button to get the intensity up to speed – the chip remembers the pattern but not the strength.

envyshaftandrabbitThe vibrations on high are nice and deep, both in the clit arm and in the shaft. They’re also pretty quiet, so any background noise will mask the use of the toy. The Envy 7 is completely waterproof, so it’s great to take with you into the tub.

This is an easy to clean vibrator: wash with mild soap and water, or use a toy cleaner or wipes. Once dry, it can be stored in its box along with its charging cable. Water-based lubes are recommended, but if you prefer silicone lube, do a spot test towards the bottom of the base first.

envysideviewSo, Did It Work? This is one powerful rabbit! I love the motors the Envy 7 uses – they’re rumbly and strong, in both the shaft and the clit arm. I enjoyed most of the patterns, and once I found one I wanted to use, I liked being able to increase the intensity. The curve of the shaft hits my G-spot dead-on, and the vibrations are perfectly targeted on it for me. The charge life is decent – enough for about 2 sessions for me, and the recharging time is fairly short.

The buttons on the bottom can be a bit trial and error at first – until I had the location down, I would change patterns or turn the Envy 7 off unintentionally, but after a bit I was able to get the pattern that I wanted and pump up the vibrations. There’s no way to decrease the vibration except by turning this toy off and then back on, but that can be done fairly quickly. I really love the memory feature – it lets me start out with the pattern I like the most.

The button on the shaft didn’t do much for me – with rabbits, I prefer to have both parts vibrating, and running either the clit arm or shaft separately doesn’t do anything for me.

The only thing that would really improve this one is having the clit arm be just a bit more flexible, allowing it to have a wider angle out from the shaft. It fit me comfortably, but just a 1/2″ more would have been ideal for me.

Thank you to Jopen for sending me the Envy 7 for free to review! If you’d like to stuff your stocking with this powerful and compact rabbit, you can pick one up at SheVibe by clicking on the widget below. And don’t forget to check out Jopen on Facebook and Twitter!

This product was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.

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