Pink Lube

I have been hearing about Pink Lube for years.  I’m not sure where exactly, or what specifically I’d heard, but I had a strong positive impression.  When Babeland gave me the option to review Pink Lube, I requested it so I could see if it lives up to its reputation.

What it is:

Pink Lube is a silicone-based lube and contains only five ingredients: Dimethicone, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Dimethiconol, and Cyclomethicone.  Vitamin E and aloe vera are generally soothing and nurturing for skin, and the other three are silicone polymers, which have a number of properties that make them ideal lubricants.  Their molecules are too big to pass between the top layer of cells in your skin, much less penetrate cell membranes, so once you put them on they won’t be going anywhere.  No absorption or anything.  This makes silicone-based lubes longer lasting than their water-based counterparts.  Silicones are inert, so they won’t react with much of anything (except silicone toys– more on that in a bit), and they won’t grow bacteria.

Unless you have a problem with aloe vera, you will not have an allergic reaction to this lube.  Unlike some lubes, Pink Lube does not contain parabens, which can sometimes cause allergic reactions and may or may not be bad news for your body (the scientific community is still debating this one).  It also does not contain glycerine, which is a cousin of sugar and can feed the microbes that make your vagina sad, like yeast.

You should not use Pink or any other silicone-based lube with silicone toys.  The silicone in the lube can bond with the silicone in the toys, making the surface of your favorite dildo tacky and melty.  Sometimes silicone lubes do play nicely with some silicone toys, but before you try it out you should always do a spot-test on an out-of-the-way part of the toy.  I have no idea how long silicone lube will stick around in your orifices, so I guess there’s still a danger of melting a silicone toy if you use it after using a silicone lube.  I imagine that it’s definitely unsafe if you use a silicone toy directly after using silicone lube, and that it’s definitely safe a few days after using silicone lube, but I’m not sure about any of the time in between.  If you happen to know, please comment!

First impressions:

My Pink came in a pretty plastic bottle with a pump top, which is a feature I had always wanted in lube but never had before.  The pump has two locking mechanisms: twisting it to the side prevents it from being pushed down, and the adorable pink cap further prevents pumping action.

I squirted a little onto my fingers and rubbed them together.  It was a strange sensation!  My fingers did not feel wet, but they still felt very slick.  The lube is not at all cushy like some water-based lubes, but is very thin and silky.  I felt some doubts as to how well it would function for penetration.

This lube appears to be odor-free, but I can’t say anything about the flavor as I did not taste-test.  Sorry.

Actual performance:

I don’t know if I’m doing it wrong, but the pump has been more of a problem than a plus.  It doesn’t seem to squirt the lube far enough away from the bottle unless the pump is pointing straight downwards, so some of it ends up running down the side.  Sad face.

I did appreciate how long-lasting Pink is, but other than that I didn’t really like it.  I used it both during sex (with a non-latex condom) and during solo play and didn’t find it to be very helpful in reducing friction.  I felt like we really had to use a lot during sex (and eventually we just gave up and switched to a favorite water-based lube), and I missed the cushiness of my other lubes during solo play.  It was really kind of runny and wouldn’t stay where I wanted it once I applied it to the dildo (in this case, the Tantus Alumina Motion, which is still crazy cheap at Babeland), and made insertion feel really weird and uncomfortable.

The bottom line:

Pink Lube was not my cup of tea (cup of lube?).  I prefer thicker, cushier lubes, and Pink was too thin and runny for me.  If you know you like a thin, silky lube, then you really can’t go wrong with Pink.  There’s no question about whether it’s good for your body, you just need to decide if it’s got what you need in a lubricant.

Thank you, Babeland, for sending me Pink Lube!

Pleasurists #57

by Perry Gallagher

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days. For updates and information follow our RSS Feed and Twitter.

Did you miss Pleasurists #56? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #58? Use our submission form and submit it before Sunday December 20th at 11:59pm PST. Be sure to read our submission guidelines.

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

• Win a Kama Sutra Weekender Kit Deadline: December 17th @ Noon Eastern.
• TLL Year One Giveaway Deadline: December 19th @ 11:59pm Eastern.
• Winter Hotness Giveaway Comments and Questions Deadline: December 30th @ 11:59pm Pacific.
• We Screwed Up Deadline: January 1st.

Looking for something other than reviews?
e[lust] #2

Editrix
Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

On to the reviews…

Vibrators

• My Mini Miracle Massager by Epiphora
• Doc Johnson Remote Control Vibrating Egg by Joan Price
• Cal Exotics iTap G-Vibe by EffinSara
• Evolved Novelties Red Diamond Vibe by EffinSara
• InfraRed Massager by CarrieAnn
• Wonder Vibe by Eliot
• LELO Mia by Sammi
• Better Than Chocolate by Epiphora
• Evolved Novelties Red Diamond Vibe by Dani Darling
• Natural Contours by Joan Price
• Rosa by LikeSunshineDust
• I Rub My Duckie by The Duchess
• Turbo 8 Accelerator Double Vibro Bullets by Mistress Dartmouth
• Engagement Finger Ring by Melen’s Rayne

Dildos

• LELO Ella by Alley
• Tantus Curve by Wilhelmina Wang
• Tantus Acute by EffinSara
• Boy 1 by Saraid
• Don Wands Pink Bent Graduate by Mystyfi
• Tantus Alumina Revolve by Kaijah
• Turbo 8 Accelorator Vibro Bullets by Alley

Anal Toys

• Tantus Alumina Pace by Alley
• Bend Over Beginner Kit by Dani Darling
• Tantus Ripple by Ashley

Toys for Cocks

• Cyberskin 3″ penis extension by Hubman

Lube, Massage Oil, Bath Stuff, & etc.

• Babeland Massage Candle by True Pleasures
• Babeland Massage Candle by Sexorcism
• Good Clean Love Gift Set by Carrie Ann
• Carnal Pleasures Kit by MrsThomasJohnson
• Kama Sutra Sensual Bathing Gel by Carrie Ann
• Jimmyjane Afterglow Candle by Carrie Ann
• Intimate Organics Body Souffle by Carrie Ann

BDSM/Fetish

• Lavish Nipple Clamps by Alley

Adult Books

• Erotic Slavehood by Mistress Kay
• Fetish by Mistress Kay

Adult Movies/Porn

• Rough Sex by Carnivalesq

Storage

• Lockable XL Case by Juliettia

Lingerie

• Dreamgirl “Office Tramp” by Sarahbear
• Red Satin and Lace Gown by Melen’s rayne

Miscellaneous

• Wind-Up Strokin’ Santa by Sammi
• Fun Factory Teneo Uno and Duo by Essin’ Em
• ToiBocks by Carnivalesq
• Mini Nipple Suckers by Dani Darling

Tantus Acute

Naughty and Discreet was kind enough to send me the Tantus Acute for review!  The Acute had been on my wishlist for a while, so I was very happy to be receiving it.

What it is:

The Acute is a 100% silicone dildo by Tantus.  It is about 5″ long and 1.25″ in diameter at its widest point.  It has a distinct curve and wide head that make it an idea toy for g-spotting.  The Acute is harness compatible because of its flared base.

The Acute can be cleaned in all kinds of ways, including: soap and water, boiling, 10% bleach solution wipedown, and a trip through your dishwasher (top rack, no soap).  As with all of the toys on Naughty and Discreet, the Tantus is completely phthalate-free and nontoxic.  Be sure to use a waterbased lubricant with the Acute.  Some silicone lubes can damage even the highest quality of silicone toys, and you wouldn’t want that, would you?

Unlike some Tantus dildos, the Acute does not have a hole for a bullet vibe.  This is likely due to the Acute’s smaller diameter.

First impressions:

Like most of my other Tantus toys, the Acute came in a clear plastic box with the usual text declaring that the product was nontoxic, 100% ultra-premium platinum silicone, and informing consumers about the advantages of using such a material.

For once, I was surprised that this toy was as small as it was.  I turned to T.  “Is this thing smaller than you?”  “Uh, yeah. Probably.”  But I needed to wait for later to do a real comparison.

I really like Tantus silicone.  I like that it is firm enough to put pressure where I need it, but with enough give that it is always comfortable.  Plus, it’s just plain pretty:

Actual use:

I tried it out on myself, by myself, and the Acute felt good but not incredible.  Then, I gave T control of it.  I’m not sure why, but this made a huge difference.  The head found its way directly to my g-spot with each thrust, and I was very aware of the slight ripples on the shaft.  Then I took control again and was able to continue whatever it was he did all the way to orgasm (with a vibe on my clit, of course).

I also really enjoy inserting it vaginally and just leaving it there.  Squeezing around it feels great!  I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve never gotten quite these feelings from a dildo before.  The insertables that stimulate the g-spot that I’ve tried have all either been bulky overall (which I like), or made to specifically target the g-spot but with a thin shaft, leaving me little to squeeze around.  This is the first one I’ve tried that was made to seek out my g-spot without skimping on shaft girth.

The bottom line:

The Acute is a wonderful dildo!  Of course, it has the advantage of being made out of Tantus silicone, but the shape and size are perfect for g-spotting.  I can whole-heartedly recommend this toy to anyone with a vagina.  The Acute may be too small for some women who are used to something bigger, but this was not a problem for me despite the fact that many of my insertables (and T) are larger.  I am having a hard time imagining that this toy would be too big for anyone (except maybe those completely new to vaginal penetration).

A gigantic thank you to Naughty and Discreet for sending me the Tantus Acute!

iTap G-vibe by Cal Exotics

The friendly people over at Eden Fantasys elected to offer me the iTap G-vibe for review.  The thought “I’d tap that” crossed my mind, and I accepted.

What it is:

The iTap G-vibe is a hard-plastic vibrator with a curved tip that is meant to target the g-spot.  It is 7″ long with 6″ of insertable length, and it is 1″ in diameter.  The instertable portion has a nice velvety texture, and the base is made of glossy plastic.  At the tip is a curve that tapers to a point, which is intended for g-spotting.

The iTap G-vibe has a unique control system which is operated (unsurprisingly) with taps to the bottom of the toy.  Each tap will take you another step through the cycle (low, high, short-short-long pulse, quick pulse, high-low pulse, and off).  To prevent the toy from being unintentionally activated, simply remove the batteries when not in use.

This toy takes two AA batteries, and can be washed with soap and warm water.  Because it is plastic, it cannot be fully sterilized– no sharing!  Also, although the curved tip may seem nice for p-spotting, please do not put this toy in your ass.  Its base is not flared enough to ensure that it will not get sucked up into your large intestine, and using it anally would make this an anal-only toy (since you can’t be sure it’s ever going to be clean enough for vaginal use again).

Size comparison!

First impressions:

The iTap G-vibe comes in an unremarkable cardboard box.  It has a picture of the toy and another of some flowers.  While the box claims that the toy is “sleek and seamless”, there is a visible seam running up and down the vibrator.  For the most part, you can’t feel it, but it sticks out all the way around the curved tip, which seems to be the worst possible spot.  The packaging has the standard Cal Exotics warnings, telling you that this thing is “This product is intended for novelty use only” and “For external use only” (lulz).

Opening the battery compartment turned out to be fairly easy.  It is nearly impossible to avoid accidentally turning the vibe on when closing it back up, though.  The tap function seems to be a little overly sensitive.  Just about anything brushing the bottom will trigger it.

This little guy is a lot stronger than he looks.  Even the low speed is pretty intense.  The vibrations are concentrated near the tip, making them easy to apply to just about anything.  Like T’s bellybutton.  He didn’t like that one.  The intense vibrations come with the cost of being fucking loud.  So, not Hitachi-loud, but I’m certain that when I turn this thing on that housemates can hear it from anywhere in the house.

While neither Cal Exotics nor Eden Fantasys has made the claim that this toy is waterproof or even water resistant, I would feel comfortable using this toy in the shower.  It has an o-ring that helps to seal off the battery compartment from moisture, and no water made its way into the toy during the initial washing.

Actual use:

I don’t really like this toy when used internally.  The point is too… pointy.  I guess I like the pressure on my g-spot to be more blunt and distributed.  And I don’t like the texture of the velvet-cote, even with lube.  This surprised me, as this is a texture I tend to love on my clit.

So, that’s where I put it next.  This is where the pointiness was a good thing.  I loved that the tip was small enough that I could target my clit and not put vibrations anywhere else else.  I came extremely quickly.  Well, for me, anyway.  It only took a few minutes.  Given, I did have T in my mouth and my fantastic new Acute (review coming soon!) inserted vaginally, but I would still give the majority of the credit to the iTap G-vibe.

I found the tap function to be comfortable to use, but easy to set off accidentally.  I’m not a big fan of pulse patterns, so accidentally moving from high to the pulsing is kind of annoying.  Especially since I then have to cycle all the way back to where I was.  I think I’d like the tap controls more if there were only two or three settings.

I’ve found this toy easy to keep clean, though I do have to remember to remove the batteries after use to keep it from turning on whenever someone looks at it the wrong way.

By the way, I got myself some sweet review gloves and just had to take a picture:

Bottom line:

I was disappointed that I did not end up liking this toy for its intended use, but was delighted to find that I loved it as a clitoral vibrator.  The tap function is kind of cool, though is really much more of a novelty than useful design feature.  I guess I should have heeded the packaging’s “novelty use only” warning.

Thank you, Eden Fantasys, for sending me the iTap G-vibe, and for helping me discover that I don’t like pointy things poking my g-spot.

Red Diamond Vibe by Evolved Novelties

I am lucky enough to have been selected by Babeland to review products.  I have been a Babeland customer for years, and I admire their commitment to safe, high-quality products and sex positivity.  Last week, I received my first products for review.  In addition to a bottle of Pink Lube (which I will review later), I got the Red Diamond Vibe by Evolved Novelties.

What it is:

The Red Diamond Vibe is a small, hard-plastic, waterproof vibrator with adjustable vibration strength.  According to the Babeland website, it is 4 and a half inches long and 1 inch in circumference at its widest point. My usual size comparison:

It has a smooth, almost velvety finish and a number of sparkly rhinestones circling the base.  To adjust the speed, simply twist the part of the base below the rhinestones.

The care and feeding of this vibrator are fairly simple.  All you need to do is wash it with warm water and soap after use, and feed it a single AA battery when it gets hungry.  This vibrator cannot be sterilized, so don’t share it with anyone.  Not that you’d want to; the sparkles may cause you to clutch this vibe and mutter “My precioussssss….”

First Impressions:

This vibrator is doing pretty well on packaging and presentation.  Mine came in a metal tin with a big red bow around the outside.  I’m not a big fan of the designs on the box, but I liked the bow and am glad to have a nice little storage container.

Once out of the box, I was really surprised at the quality of the rhinestones.  They are super sparkly!  None of the official product photos out there do the rhinestones justice.  They’re just difficult to photograph.  This is an attractive little toy.  T calls it my “blinged-out vibe”.

Actual Use:

I popped in a AA battery and was ready to go.  The tip of this vibrator was nicely sized and shaped for using on my clit.  I enjoyed the fully adjustable vibration intensity, but was underwhelmed by the top speed.  I have a number of other toys that take a single AA battery that are all much stronger than this vibrator’s strongest.  I found that this toy didn’t really do a whole lot for me when used vaginally, but then I am used to using larger toys.

I’ve enjoyed using this toy as a teaser or warm-up, but it always lefting me craving a little stronger or bigger.  There wasn’t a single time I used it when I didn’t switch to another toy after a little while.

Bottom line:

I probably won’t be using this vibrator a whole lot, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad product.  Quite the contrary, actually.

This is a fantastic vibrator for those new to sex toys, and for a number of reasons: it is attractive; the packaging is non-threatening; its small size is not intimidating and great for those new to vaginal penetration; the adjustable speed helps you find which intensity you like best; and it’s cheap enough that if, after using it a couple of times, you decide you’re ready for the big leagues you don’t feel like you’ve wasted a pile of money on something you won’t use again.  The great big bow on the outside helps make it an ideal gift for a friend who might be too shy to buy a vibrator for herself.

Thank you, Babeland, for letting me review the Red Diamond Vibe!

Holiday Giving Wishlist

A number of bloggers I read have been posting this holiday wishlist meme, and I think that it is a fantastic idea.  I like the idea of being able to give someone something they really want or need, even if it’s something small, and I want to participate.

Like EssinEm, I also have a birthday coming up.  Mine is on the 17th, though it is likely I won’t get a chance to celebrate on that day as I will be driving cross-country.  I am an atheist, but I celebrate the cultural holiday of Christmas because giving presents makes me happy, and who doesn’t like to get things?

Here are the truncated steps borrowed from Epiphora:

• Make a post listing your wishes. If you wish for real possible things, make sure you include some sort of contact info.
• Visit the lists of others. If you see a wish you can grant, and it’s in your heart to do so, make someone’s wish come true.
• You needn’t spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn’t to put people out, it’s to provide everyone a chance to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not — it’s your call.

If you find something that you can help me out on, please comment or email me (sarapornmail at gmail).

Here’s my list:

1. Traffic. I’m not asking for advertising, maybe just a link somewhere on your blog if you like my writing.
2. Translation jobs. Do you have a German-language text that you need in English?  Do you know someone at a company that has a German office (or a German company with an English-speaking office) that needs a linguistic go-between?  I have experience doing professional translations of everything from poetry to 18th century letters to modern technical papers on robotics and even quantum chemistry.
3. Books. If you have a book that you read and liked, but don’t need to keep around anymore, I would really appreciate it if you would send it my way.  Media mail is super cheap!  I would especially love classics, good sci-fi, cyberpunk, historical non-fiction, and any books that make you think. If you send me German-language books I will love you forever.
4. Scores. Full orchestral scores of operas, overtures, symphonies and tone poems, please!  I don’t care if they’re 50 years old and full of markings and notations.
   
5. Sheet music. I’m not going to post my instrument here, but if you have sheet music for a sonata, concerto, suite for solo [insert instrument here], or even a cool duet/quartet/chamber piece, get in contact with me and we’ll see if it’s the right instrument :)
6. Sky blue and dark purple nail polishes. Fairly self-explanatory.  I don’t care if they’re used as long as they’re still good.
7. Toys. Wishlist here.  I’d even love to try things that aren’t on the list!
8. Patterns. I would love to have more patterns for sewing things like skirts, dresses, lingerie, and stuffed animals.  Even just sending me a link to some cool free ones online would be appreciated!
9. Pretty hair combs, sticks, clips, pins, etc. I really like hair jewelry that is either vintage or *looks* vintage.  But somehow I manage to not have any.

Here are the other lists (that I know of):

• EssinEm
• Epiphora
• Garnet Joyce
• Rose
• Ashley
• Saraid
• Beautiful Dreamer
• Lilly
• Juliettia

If you have a list that isn’t listed here, please give me a link to it so that I can post it here and see if there are any wishes I can grant!

Step One
- Make a post (public, friendslocked, filtered…whatever you’re comfortable with) to your LJ or Myspace or Blog. The important thing is to make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
- If you wish for real possible things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it’s your address or just an email address at which you can be contacted by potential wish-grantors, real or imaginary.
- Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your post, so that the holiday joy will spread.

Step Two
- Surf around your friends list/blogroll/RSS feeds (or friendsfriends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list.
- If you see a wish you can grant, and it’s in your heart to do so, make someone’s wish come true. Sometimes someone’s trash is another’s treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don’t want or a gift certificate you won’t use–or even know where you could get someone’s dream purebred Basset Hound for free–do it.

You needn’t spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn’t to put people out, it’s to provide everyone a chance to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not–it’s your call.

There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just…wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you’ll have the joy of knowing you made someone’s holiday special.

The Goings On

First off, it’s World AIDS Day tomorrow. Eden Fantasys and its community is doing a week-long project with articles on all sorts of topics related to HIV and AIDS. I contributed a piece on my generation, the first after the discovery of HIV in 1981. You can find my article on EdenCafe.

Also, Naughty and Discreet has taken me on as a reviewer! What initially attracted me to them was that they seem so committed to making sure women are using toys that are safe. Not only do they provide an entirely pthalate-free selection, they also select a new toy to give away for free each week. It’s not a contest, all you need to do is pay shipping and it’s yours. This week’s toy is the Ripple by Tantus, and while I have not tried this particular toy, based on my experiences with Tantus’ products I can say that if you like to put things in your ass it would probably be worth it to pick this one up. For free.

EDIT: I also have a new review of the Eclipse vaginal exercise balls up on Eden Fantasys.

Bootie by Fun Factory

Despite my status as blogging noob in the world of sex toy reviews, TabuToys was kind enough to take me on as a reviewer.  When they told me they’d start me off with some cheaper toys, I was expecting them to offer me things that I might feel lukewarm about reviewing.  Instead, they really surprised me by offering me the Bootie anal plug by Fun Factory.  I’d been wanting to try the Bootie for a while, so of course I jumped at the chance.

What it is:

The Bootie is a smaller anal plug that is made out of 100% silicone.  It has a velvety texture to it like other Fun Factory silicone toys.  Unlike the other plugs I own, the Bootie is shaped asymmetrically.  It curves and bulges in a way that is meant for G- or P-spot stimulation.  The neck is long and somewhat thicker than other small plugs.  The base is nice and sturdy but also long and thin.

The Bootie can be used with water-based lubricants but should not be used with silicone-based lubricants.  It comes with a sample of Fun Factory’s own water-based lube, Toy Fluid, which may get you through your first use if you squeeze out every single drop.  You may want to be sure to have your own bottle of lube on hand before getting ready to play with the Bootie.

This toy can be cleaned in all sorts of different ways.  You can wash it with soap and warm water, or completely sterilize it by boiling it for 3 – 5 minutes, wiping it down with a 10% bleach solution, or by putting it on the top rack of your dishwasher, should you be lucky enough to have one.  Just be sure to run it through the dishwasher with no soap.

My usual size comparison:

First impressions:

Fun Factory toys always come packaged so that you can see the toy before opening the box, and the Bootie was no exception.  I was really happy to see that TabuToys was thoughtful enough to send me a little bottle of JO H2O lube along with my new plug.  It’s nice to know that they’re looking out for my ass.

The shape of this toy is pleasing both to look at and to hold in my hand.  Its curves are gradual and the silicone is firm but has a good amount of squish to it.  As you may or may not have noticed, I *really* like purple silicone, and the intense purple of the Bootie is really great.

Actual use:

The Bootie is the first toy I felt comfortable wearing out of the house.  The long neck, curved form, and long, skinny base made me confident that it would not pop out (or in) at an inopportune moment.  I wore it for about three hours: walking, driving, sitting down and standing up were all just fine.  It was very comfy.

Insertion with this toy is a little different than with others; instead of putting the toy perpendicular to your ass and slowly taking it in you need to start it at an angle and rock it in due to the curve.  I actually found this process to be very easy, especially when compared to straight plugs.

The curve of the Bootie actually hits me right in my g-spot, especially when I move certain ways.  I am amazed that I can feel it even though it’s not a vaginal toy.  I would imagine that if you were a male-bodied type that this toy would feel really great on your prostate!  The curve would be great for prostate stimulation because any in-out movement of the plug would rock it right into the right place every time.  That’s just speculation on my part, though.  I do not possess such an organ, and T probably would not make his available for testing.  Sorry.

I did not test the Bootie for use during partnered sex.  The base is too long for that and, like Mothra, blocks vaginal access.  Boo.  For solo use this is less important to me, though, because I don’t usually feel like using an instertable vaginally if I already have a plug in.

The only other thing I didn’t like about the Bootie is that it was more difficult to get clean.  It may be the velvety texture, I don’t know.  But I washed it with soap and water and it smelled like ass.  I boiled it, and it still smelled like ass.  I bleached it, and it still faintly smelled like ass.  I have never had this problem with either of the Tantus plugs I own, but then I never wore them for extended periods of time.  This whole process has made me really glad that I picked up a pot specifically for toy boiling and bleaching.

The bottom line:

The Bootie is a cutie.  Okay, that’s lame.

It’s an adorable little plug that I can imagine being great for both absolute beginners and more advanced players who are okay with using smaller toys.  If you know you really don’t get much out of small toys, then this is not for you.  For everyone else, male-bodied, female-bodied, or differently-bodied, I can see this being a great choice.

Thank you sooo much to TabuToys for sending me the Bootie!

 

Mothra Vs. My Crotch

The nice people at Eden Fantasys elected to send me the Venus Butterfly, made by California Exotics.  This toy was a first for me in a number of ways: first wired-remote toy, first animal-shaped toy, first toy with glitter… but most importantly it was my first strap-on vibrator.

What it is:

The Venus Butterfly is two things: on the inside it is a standard bullet with a wired remote, and on the outside there is a soft, butterfly-shaped casing that has leg and waist straps attached.  This toy is meant to be worn up against the vulva, held in place with one strap around each leg and a third strap around your hips.  It is small enough that you could wear it under baggier clothing if you wanted.

The controller has a dial-type control, which is located inside the controller but is accessible from either side.  This dial adjusts the speed of vibration and has ridges on the edges for easy use, even when your fingers are covered in lube.  The controller houses two AA batteries and has a cord that is 30.5″ long (just over 2.5 feet).

The bullet and controller are made out of hard plastic, while the butterfly-shaped casing is made out of thermoplastic rubber, also called TPR.  TPR is a soft, pthalate-free material that is easy to clean but cannot be fully sterilized.  The leg straps are made out of stretchy elastic and have plastic fasteners.  Everything should be cleaned with mild soap and warm water.  The bullet can be taken out of the casing with care and patience, either for cleaning purposes or for use without the sleeve.

First impressions:

I’m not going to lie.  The box that the Venus Butterfly came in is kind of lame.  It has an awful over-exposed image of a pornstar-looking lady in bra and panties and terrible makeup, apparently frowning at her crotch.  Layered over this is a picture of a purple butterfly that has nothing to do with the pink monstrosity layered on top: the actual vibe itself.

Seriously, I asked all of my friends if they had a Godzilla figurine so that I could pose it battling the Venus Butterfly (a.k.a. Mothra), but either no one had one or no one wanted their toys near *my* toys.  I guess I can understand that.  So, you’ll just have to make do with this:

Once I got the vibrator out of the box, I was surprised to see how big it was (as I am with most toys… when will I learn?!), and that the cord was as long as it is.  I was also pleased to find that the bullet was removable.  That was a bonus that I had not expected.

I popped some batteries in and turned it on.  While the thing might be a butterfly, it certainly doesn’t act like one.  It buzzes like an angry hornet.  This vibe is STRONG for its size.

I have never found animal-shaped toys to be particularly sexy, so that’s why this is my first.  I’d love to say that this was  more appealing than I expected, but the beady little eyes and bird-like beak honestly creeped me out a little.  But!  My vulva has no eyes, so I am happy to report that the appearance did not stop the testing process.

Actual performance:

Getting the straps on was a little tricky.  It was a bit confusing at first how exactly the four straps attached to the butterfly were to become three straps attached to me.  I figured it out, though, and it wasn’t long before I got it on and placed properly.

So, I’m not a tiny girl, but I’m not huge, either.  I’m tall but about average weight for my height.  And these straps just barely fit me.  If you’re on the big side, you may not be able to get this thing on without some sort of extender straps you rig up yourself.  Just a warning.

When this toy is seated properly, its tail curves in to meet my vaginal opening while the “beak” sits on my clit.  It can sit on top of my labia or sort of nestle in between.  I was definitely pleased with the fit.  The length of the toy makes it well-suited for solo play if all you want is clitoral and vulva stimulation, but is not so great if you want to use insertables vaginally or wear it during sex.

I tried it out in the situation in which having a hands-free vibe seems most advantageous: watching porn on my laptop.  This vibrator solves a problem faced by many a horny computer user: do I use my dominant hand for mousing or for jacking off?  I know a good number of guys who actually use their non-dominant hand for masturbation because their dominant hand *must* be used for mousing.  Anyway, with the Venus Butterfly, I could do whatever I wanted with my hands and still get a pleasant buzz.

One of my favorite things to do with this toy was to pulse the vibrations.  All of my other variable-speed toys have buttons rather than dials, so changing speeds is not instantaneous.  The Venus Butterfly can go from off to OMG as fast or as slow as you like.  This gave me a lot more flexibility in how I used the different speeds (pulsing, cranking up and down) and I actually liked it better than any of the pre-programmed pulse or wave modes in any of the other vibes I own.

I was good just letting it sit there for a while, but it got me about 75% of the way there and no farther.  I then needed to use my hands to move it against myself and position it just right for orgasm.  This doesn’t surprise me very much as I’m not the kind of person who can put a vibe on her clit and just leave it there until orgasm.  I need at least a little bit of movement and friction.

The TPR sleeve was nice and soft, but also a bit sticky.  I have pubes (omg Sara you’re so weird) and they tended to catch on the butterfly if I moved it around.  When I have used it with lube this has been less of an issue but did not disappear entirely.

I tested this vibrator while I was at my parents’ house recovering from surgery, and I used it multiple times while they were only two rooms away.  It’s quiet enough that I felt that there was no possibility of them hearing, especially if used under the covers.

Obligatory coke can pic:

The bottom line:

The Venus Butterfly is a fun but fiddly toy.  If I know I have an evening to myself with some erotica or porn, it might be a good choice.  However, it doesn’t seem like it would be much fun with a partner due to the set-up time and hands-off nature of the toy.  This is a great toy if you don’t mind messing with the straps and if all you want is external stimulation, but for my own use I wish that it would give me access to my vagina.  Damn Mothra, blocking vaginal access!

A big thank you to the wonderful people at Eden Fantasys for sending me the Venus Butterfly to review!

Venus butterfly™ Strap-on vibrator by California Exotic Material: TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) Safety: $21.99 Buy from EdenFantasys
Rating:	Vroom:	Bee:
This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer.

Breaking up is hilarious to do

No, not me.  But someone.  Enjoy:

 

I’m going to be on the road for most of the day, on my way back to T and a glorious big-screen showing of This Ain’t Star Trek XXX, the new(ish) Star Trek themed porn.  I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow :)