[Update 02/11/23: this toy has been discontinued. I have removed dead links but left the post up for information.]

I think we all know how I feel about Fifty Shades of Grey as a cultural phenomenon by now, don’t we? In case you don’t, here’s a quick primer: it romanticises domestic abuse, gets BDSM dangerously wrong, and is just horribly written considering how much money it made.

However, I’m also a realist, and I know that this genie is out of the bottle, so to speak. People are going to come to sex positivity, BDSM, and sex toys via the Fifty Shades route. As a kinkster, sex positive educator, and pleasure product expert, I think those of us already in these communities have a big responsibility to these newcomers. And that responsibility is to welcome them. To provide resources. To be there for them and to show them that while Fifty Shades might be a fun fantasy (if you like that sort of thing), the reality is so much cooler and more exciting.

That’s why I’m glad that, when the inevitable Fifty Shades of Grey vibrators and other Fifty Shades sex toys emerged, they were at least well-designed and body safe.

All this to say I’m reviewing another toy from Lovehoney’s official Fifty Shades range: the Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator.

Fifty Shades Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator

The Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator measures 4.5″ in length, and tapers from a wide base to a narrow, pointed tip. When switched on, this tip “flickers” against your clit as the toy vibrates.

In the box, you’ll find the toy as well as a USB charging cable and a storage bag made from REPREVE® recycled plastic (eco-friendly, yay!)

The Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator is made of smooth matte black silicone, which is non-porous and body-safe. It’s also submersible, should you want to use it in water (this also makes cleaning easier).

Sensation-al?

After some recent positive experiences with tongue vibrators, I was hopeful that the Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator would be another surprising gem. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be. On the whole, this toy didn’t work for me.

The first problem is the pointy tip. While I sometimes enjoy pinpoint clitoral stimulation, the Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator’s silicone tip felt more like something jabbing my clit than stimulating it. (I mean, maybe that’s your thing? If so, live your best life! But it’s not mine). It was a little better when I used it sideways on or over my clitoral hood, but with the slightest wrong move, the pokey sensation was back.

The second problem is that the motor is not very strong, and buzzy as hell to boot. After ten minutes or so of vainly chasing an orgasm, I was annoyed and had a numb clit.

Finally, the user interface. The Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator has a single button interface and a whopping 20 patterns and settings. This means that if you want to turn the power down a notch, or return to a previous pattern, you’re left scrolling alllllllll the way back through. I don’t know about you, but having to press a button 20 times just to get the setting I want seriously impedes my getting-off game.

Good point, because credit where credit is due: the Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator is quiet. That and its body-safe material, though, are about the only good things I can say about it.

Verdict

Overall, I found the Fifty Shades of Grey Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator disappointing. With a stronger and rumblier motor, it could be fine for people who like very pinpointed stimulation. With a stronger motor, a less pointy tip, and a better button system, it could be excellent. But the current product is lacklustre at best and I doubt I’ll use it again.

Skip it and get a decent bullet vibe instead.

The Sensation Flickering Tongue Vibrator retails for £36.99 ($44.99 US) at Lovehoney.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this product to review. All views, as always, are my own. Affiliate links appear in this post.