This one has been in my to-be-reviewed pile for longer than I’d like to admit, and I kept putting it off. Why? Because, if I’m honest, I don’t like using oil-based lubes. However, Vibeology’s Pure organic water-based lube has become one of my trusted favourites, so I felt I should give the Throb Stroking Cream oil-based formula—a combination masturbation lube and massage cream—a fair shot.
Vibeology Throb: Oil-Based Stroking Lube and Massage Cream
Vibeology Throb is an oil-based lubricant-slash-massage-cream designed specifically for stroking, i.e. masturbation or hand sex. It’s light yellow in colour and comes in a scoopable formula in screw-top tubs.
Let’s look at what’s in it and how safe the ingredients are.
Butyrospermum parkii butter (AKA shea butter): A common natural skincare ingredient that offers excellent benefits for the skin and is considered safe for use in lubricants that come into contact with genitals.
Olea Europea (olive) fruit oil: A protective and moisturising oil. Views on its safety in lube are mixed, but it’s likely fine for the external genital area.
Cocus Nucifera (coconut) oil: Perhaps the oil most commonly used as a lubricant. Good for the skin and safe for external use as long as you’re not allergic. However, it may disrupt the vaginal pH and increase risk of yeast infections for some users.
Prunus Armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil: A light plant oil rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E. The information I could find indicated it’s likely safe for the external genitals.
Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice: A hydrating and soothing ingredient that’s also in Vibeology’s Pure formula.
Stearic acid: A fatty acid that acts as an emollient and stabiliser, safe and widely used in many lubricants.
Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate,
Acetic acid: A pH adjuster that is also used in some prescription vaginal products.
Ascorbic acid: The chemical name for Vitamin C.
Tocopherol: AKA Vitamin E.
Sodium Chloride: AKA salt, used here in miniscule quantities.
Overall, this is a great ingredients list. I wouldn’t use this formula inside my vagina due to the risk of irritation and infection from oils, but as a masturbation oil or massage cream it has an excellent safety profile.
What I Like About Vibeology Throb Masturbation Oil
Aside from the great ingredients list, there are a few things I like a lot about this product:
It has a light and unobtrusive earthy scent, and contains no artificial flavours or fragrances.
It absorbs into the skin well and does not leave any unpleasant tacky or sticky residue.
When I apply it to my skin, it leaves it feeling soft and nourished. This makes it a great choice for massage. It can also double up as a moisturiser for dry or sensitive skin.
It offers a lovely slick, slippery sensation which many users will enjoy.
Things To Be Aware Of
Due to the oils’ excellent absorption, you may need to reapply this lube a few times during a sex/masturbation or massage session. You only need a little at a time, so you’ll still get plenty of uses out of a tub, but it’s not as long-lasting as some products I’ve tried.
As I mentioned above, I wouldn’t consider this a safe product for vaginal use. Therefore, if you’re going to transition from massage, masturbation or hand-sex into penetrative sex or vaginal fingering, it’s best to pause and wash the oil off your hands first. For masturbation or hand sex with a penis, though, it’s a great choice.
Remember that oil-based lubes are not compatible with latex barriers such as condoms or dams. If you’re using barriers, stick to a water-based lube. Oil-based lubes are okay with some non-latex barriers, but always double-check if you’re not sure so you don’t compromise your safety.
On a personal, sensory level, I really struggle with oil-based lubes. I hate the sensation of having slippery stuff all over my hands. I have the same issue when I’m cooking if I get oil on my hands; I just want to wash it off straight away and I’m completely distracted until it’s gone. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad product, it just means it’s a not-for-me product.
Finally, the taste isn’t super pleasant so you probably won’t want to use this one for oral sex.
Vibeology Throb Masturbation and Massage Oil: Verdict
If you’re seeking a body-safe oil-based lube for masturbation, penis stroking or massage, you can’t go far wrong with this one.
One of the fun things about being both a femme and a sex blogger at this time of year is seeing all the sweet, cutesy, pink-and-hearts-and-flowers themed products that companies are putting out for Valentine’s Day. Bijoux Indiscrets were kind enough to send me this year’s Valentine’s offering from their range: the Bubblegum Play Kit which includes a lube, a massage oil, and a lipgloss.
Bijoux Indiscrets Bubblegum Play Kit: Lube, Massage Oil and Lipgloss
The Bubblegum Play Kit contains three products: a warming massage oil, a full-body massage gel that doubles as a water-based lube, and a lipgloss. Each one is scented and flavoured like bubblegum. All three products, like everything in Bijoux’s range, are vegan.
The kit came packaged in a cute pink box with a heart on the front, much like the packaging you might get on a gift set of cosmetics or bath products. The overall effect, like the products themselves, is sweet to the point of saccharine. But how did the contents stack up? Let’s take a closer look at each item.
Warming Massage Oil
This isn’t really an oil in the true sense of the word. As far as I can tell, it doesn’t actually contain any oil at all. It’s really a water-based gel that warms as you massage it in. Still, we’ll call it “massage oil” to distinguish it from the other massage product in this kit.
For me, it takes about a minute to feel the massage oil warming on my skin. You’ll get a more intense warming sensation if you blow gently on it.
I found that the bubblegum massage oil didn’t really blend or get fully absorbed into the skin the way some oils and lubes do. Instead, it tends to linger on the surface. This can be a good thing, as a little bit goes a long way and there’s no need to keep reapplying it. However, it can also be a problem if you don’t enjoy the feeling of having oil or gel lingering on your skin.
This is by far the nicest tasting of the three products. It’s very, very, very sweet, so you’ll want to know that going on. That sweetness is likely due to its first ingredient: glycerin. Due to the glycerin, I found that my hands and skin felt quite sticky after using it and I wanted to wash it off. Glycerin is okay in a massage product in the way it wouldn’t be in a lube, but from a sensory perspective it is a downside to this bubblegum massage oil.
Stickiness aside, though, this is a fine massage gel and the sweet bubblegum taste and pink aesthetic gives it a fun and playful vibe.
You can buy this oil separately for €22/£20. It’s also available in caramel & sea salt and strawberry & honey flavours.
Full Body Bubblegum Massage Gel/Lube
According to Bijoux Indiscrets, this bubblegum flavoured water-based massage gel can double up as an intimate lube. It has quite a long list of ingredients, so you’ll want to review it carefully to make sure there’s nothing you’re sensitive to.
I can’t see anything alarming in the ingredients, but I’m also not enough of an expert to declare them all definitely fine. At the very least this bubblegum gel/lube contains no glycerin or parabens, though it does contain “Aroma” (artificial fragrance/flavour) which is not very specific and can include any number of things.
I do quite like the feeling of this one. It’s somewhere between a thick liquid and a thin gel, and it spreads across the skin nicely and lasts well. However, unlike the massage oil, this gel tastes really unpleasant to me. Instead of sweetness, it’s got a horrible chemical-y taste. I’m quite sensitive to artificial sweeteners and I can really, really taste them in this.
I probably won’t finish this one, honestly. I’m “meh” on flavoured lubes at best to begin with and this isn’t a nice tasting one.
Oral Pleasure Lip Gloss
This lip gloss is more subtly flavoured than the lube and massage oil, but still has a distinctive bubblegum flavour.
After you apply it, you start getting a tingling sensation thanks to the peppermint oil it contains. I think, based on the name, the idea is that you put it on and then perform oral sex with it. I haven’t had the opportunity to try that but I did try putting a bit on my vulva, just to see what the effect would be. It gave a kinda pleasurable tingly, warming feeling a bit like a warming lube or menthol pleasure balm. So that effect might translate if you used it during oral?
The warming and tingling is really noticeable on my lips, to the point that it becomes uncomfortable if I use too much. You really only need a little bit of this one.
This lipgloss lasts well and gives a nice glossy shine. It’s a little sticky, which wasn’t a problem once it was on but made applying it with my fingers annoying. A brush or wand would be better than the pump top bottle. Neither the lube nor the lipgloss are ass aggressively sweet as the massage oil in the Bubblegum Play Kit.
Verdict
I generally liked two out of the three products in this kit and will definitely finish them, though the bubblegum lube was a miss for me. However, at €60/£54 it’s pretty pricey for what it is. For that reason I don’t think I’d buy it again.
If you have a femme in your life who really likes pink things and bubblegum, though, it could be a cute and sensual Valentine’s Day gift.
Thanks to Bijoux Indiscrets for sending me this product to review! All views are, as always, my own. Affiliate links appear in this post.
I’ve decided to couple these two mini reviews of Bloomi’s lube and massage oil into one post. Sexologist-led, all Bloomi products all meet something called the Clean Standard:
Based on academic research and input from top sexual wellness experts, we created the only industry standard to ensure toxic ingredients don’t touch your intimate areas.
– Bloomi Clean Standard
This means that you can feel assured that Bloomi’s products do not contain any of the nasty ingredients that are far too common in sexual wellness products: glycerin, parabens, artificial fragrances, phthalates, sulfates, and so on. And, since everything is plant-based, they’re also vegan and cruelty-free! Even the packaging is made from recycled, recyclable, and sustainable materials.
Bloomi Reviews: Lube and Massage Oil
I received the Relax Body & Massage Oil and the Smooth Water-Based Lubricant to try out.
Bloomi Relax Body & Massage Oil
I’ve recently rediscovered the joy of giving (and receiving) massages. Massage is such a wonderful, intimate way to touch a partner and you can use it in so many different ways. It can sooth a headache or a bad back, act as a kind of foreplay or precursor to sex, serve as aftercare, be an act of service from a submissive to a Dominant, or just be a way to connect physically without necessarily getting your genitals involved. And that’s just for starters. Like any kind of touch and intimacy, massage is what you make of it.
I tested the Bloomi Relax Body & Massage Oil with my partner for this review. We both loved the gorgeous lavender scent. It’s distinctive without being overpowering and lavendar can invoke feelings of calm, relaxation, and overall wellbeing.
The Relax Body & Massage Oil blends smoothly into the skin and does not leave any unpleasant residue. It leaves the skin feeling soft, moisturised, and healthy. So much so that you can use it as an everyday body oil/skin moisturiser as well as a massage oil, if you like.
Bloomi’s Relax Body & Massage Oil retails for $24 for a 3oz/90ml bottle. And since a little goes a long way (you only need a few pumps to get really good coverage), it should last you a while.
Please be aware that, like most oils, this product is not compatible with latex. Don’t use it (or be sure to wash it off first) if you are planning to use latex safer sex barriers such as condoms and dams, as it can degrade them and make them more prone to breakage.
Bloomi Smooth Water-Based Lube Review
Those of you who have been reading my work for a while will know that I am extremely choosy about the lubricants that I will use and recommend. Too many lubes are filled with ingredients such as parabens (which have been shown to be endocrine disrupters) and glycerin (a type of sugar which can cause issues such as yeast infections and Bacterial Vaginosis.)
That’s why I was happy to review Bloomi’s gentle, body-friendly, and planet-friendly products. Smooth by Bloomi contains only gentle plant ingredients, including hydrating green tea extract and Sodium Hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), which may help to relieve vaginal dryness.
Bloomi’s Smooth Water-Based Lubricant has quite a thin consistency compared to some of the more gel-like lubes I’ve reviewed, and is satisfyingly smooth and slippery. I find it lasts quite well, so you don’t have to reapply it as often as with some water-based products. I particularly like it for high-friction activities such as using my Godemiche Grind Rings or silicone dildos with more “grabby” textures.
Smooth Water-Based Lubricant’s formulation has a pH of 4.0-4.5. The normal pH of the vagina can range from 3.8-5.0, so this lube shouldn’t cause any issues there. It isn’t sticky, and doesn’t leave any residue behind on either my skin or my sheets. It also has only the mildest scent and virtually no discernible taste.
Apparently Smooth isn’t suitable for use with polyurethane condoms, so bear that in mind if you’re using non-latex barriers. It’s fine for use with latex or polyisoprene barriers, though.
Thank you to Bloomi for sending me these products to review. All views are, as always, my own. This post contains affiliate links and purchasing through them sends me a small commission at no extra cost to you!
“No fiction, no acting, no judgements, no comparisons, no fear, no guilt nor shame”—so begins the Bijoux Indiscrets “Slow Sex” manifesto, which adorns the packaging of each product in the Slow Sex range of intimacy and better sex products, which I recently received to review. Definitely a message I can get behind!
Of course, sex is complicated. Fear, judgement and shame are very real for too many of us. I still experience them even as someone who makes a living by talking and writing openly about sex. It’s going to take far more than a range of products to fully tackle the deep, systemic issues that allow sexual shame to run rampant.
Even so, in a world where so many companies (even purportedly sex-positive ones) profit from shame and stigma, I’m glad to see an adult retailer encouraging people to move away from these destructive ideas and towards more authentic pleasure.
I received a selection of items from the Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex range to try out.
Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Range: General Impressions
Each full size Slow Sex product comes beautifully presented. It comes in eco-friendly cardboard packaging featuring artistic close-ups of body parts and sometimes floral motifs.
The Slow Sex range also doesn’t use any gendered marketing! Each product is described by referencing body parts and sex acts, without ascribing gender to them. It sounds like a small thing, but simply writing “the clitoris” instead of “her clitoris” or “use it on your partner” rather than “use it on your man” makes sexuality product marketing so much more inclusive.
With the exception of the oral sex strips, all the Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex products I tried for this review have a strong and distinctive coconut aroma. I enjoy the smell and taste of coconut, so this was fine. But if you don’t, it’s something to be aware of. The scent is pretty noticeable and does tend to hang around after you’ve finished playing!
Everything in the Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex range is cruelty-free and vegan.
Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Clitoral Balm Review
The Slow Sex product I was most excited to try was the clitoral balm. So naturally that’s where I went first.
Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Clitoral Balm comes in a little 10ml tube. This doesn’t seem like much, but you only need a tiny amount so this tube will last you a while.
Slow Sex Clitoral Balm contains a pretty long list of ingredients. Check it carefully before use if you’re allergic or sensitive to anything. There’s nothing in the ingredients that immediately strikes me as problematic. It does contain glycerin, but for an external-only product that you use in tiny amounts, I don’t really mind.
Honestly, I was underwhelmed by this product. I really wanted to love Bijoux Indiscrets’ clitoral balm, especially as I’ve reviewed and loved various similar products in the past, but it didn’t do much for me. I got a slight warming sensation, which was pleasant enough. But it didn’t really enhance sensitivity or give me any noticeable increase in pleasure. If you enjoy warming lubes, this is a slight step up from that, but it’s not much more. I’ll probably finish this tube, but I’m unlikely to buy it again.
Slow Sex Clitoral Balm retails for £15/$17. According to Bijoux, it’s compatible with all toy types and with latex barriers.
Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Finger Play Gel Review
The Slow Sex Finger Play Gel is basically a water-based lube designed for external use, particularly for hand sex (i.e. fingering or hand-jobs.) It contains just a few ingredients, of which the main ones are glycerin, water, and aloe vera leaf juice. Given the high glycerin concentration, I won’t be using this one internally and I’d advise that you don’t either.
The Finger Play Gel is a gorgeously thick lubricant. It lasts well, and a little goes a long way. Its thick texture and slipperiness make it perfect for hand sex. It’s easy to clean up with warm water and soap, though it does get sticky after a while. After use, my skin felt soft and moisturised, probably thanks to the aloe. It has a pleasant, subtly sweet taste.
Slow Sex Finger Play Gel retails for £15/$17. With just 30ml in a tube, it’s pretty pricey, but it should last you a while. Slow Sex Finger Play Gel is condom-compatible and suitable to use with all toy materials.
Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Nipple Play Gel
Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Nipple Play Gel comes in a little 10ml glass tube with a roller ball applicator. Simply apply a little to your nipples and then stimulate them as you normally would. The gel gives a subtle cooling, tingling sensation.
I found that the Nipple Play Gel slightly heightened sensitivity. When I applied it then went about my day, it made me more aware of my nipples—and particularly the feel of them against my clothing—than I’d normally be. Potentially fun if you want to heighten your arousal throughout the day. I found that one application lasted about an hour before the effect wore off.
It also increases sensitivity if you’re doing nipple play with hands, toys, or clamps. But this stuff really comes into its own when combined with oral nipple stimulation. The cool gel combined with a warm mouth makes everything feel much more intense. And since the gel has a sweet taste, it’s not unpleasant for the giver, either! (Assuming they like coconut.)
The Slow Sex Nipple Play Gel is water-based and does not contain any ingredients that are toxic or problematic for topical use. It’s easy to wash off when you’re done and leaves a gentle coconut scent on the skin.
I was highly sceptical about the Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Oral Sex Balm, as was Mr C&K, but we kept an open mind and decided to give it a fair chance for this review. It comes in a 10ml tube and I was expecting a liquid or thin gel, but it’s really more of a thick paste. I had to massage it between my fingers to get it to melt enough to use.
The packaging suggests applying Slow Sex Oral Sex Balm to your lips right before giving a blow job, or applying it directly to the penis. To get the full effect, we did both. I’m not sure most people would feel much if you only did the former.
First, the good: it definitely had an effect! My partner described it as a cooling sensation, which is likely caused by the menthol it contains. When you’re doing oral sex, the contrast between this cooling and the warmth of a mouth can be very interesting. He also reported that it did increase sensitivity slightly, and that it felt like sensation continued after the point of orgasm.
Then the less-good: Since Slow Sex Oral Sex Balm is an oil-based product, it’s not suitable for use with any latex barriers. And given that I wouldn’t want several of the ingredients in my vagina, it also means it’s not really possible to go from oral to vaginal sex without cleaning up in between. I really dislike the sensation of anything oily or sticky on my hands, so I had to wipe this off with a tissue immediately after applying it.
Also worth noting: the coconutty/minty smell and taste is VERY potent. It’s not unpleasant but if, like me, you like to experience the scent and taste of your partner’s body, this is definitely going to mask that.
Overall, a mixed experience but definitely more positive than we were expecting.
The Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Full Body Massage Gel comes in an attractive glass bottle. With 50ml in the bottle, it definitely feels like one of the more substantial Slow Sex products. Slow Sex Massage Gel is oil-based and designed for all-over massage.
The packaging says you can use it “anywhere and everywhere” and the website describes it as genital-compatible, so if your massage turns erotic you’re good to go. Again, I’d recommend that you keep it external only. This massage gel is also suitable for use in water and is compatible with silicone sex toys and latex barriers.
This is probably my favourite product in the entire Slow Sex range. It is slick without being sticky, and does not leave any nasty residue behind. As a bonus, it leaves my skin feeling lovely and moisturised (and coconut scented!) It also lasts ages, as a little bit goes a long way once it’s on the skin.
I also like that Slow Sex Massage Gel comes in a pump bottle, which is much more user-friendly and less spillage-prone than the bottles massage oils usually come in.
If you’re asking “what on earth is an oral sex strip?”, well, so was I! Turns out they’re little paper-thin minty strips that are designed to go on your tongue and then melt while you’re performing oral sex. Like the Oral Sex Balm, the Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Oral Sex Strips have a strong minty flavour (spearmint oil is one of the main ingredients.) They taste like something you’d use to brush your teeth or freshen your breath.
The sensation is… interesting. Much like the Slow Sex Oral Sex Balm, the main appeal of these strips is that they provide a contrast between the cooling sensation and the warmth of a mouth. However, they melt very quickly so the intense effect only lasts for maybe a minute or so. You do get some of the effect for a while afterwards as the mint lingers on your body, but you only get maybe a maximum of 5 minutes out of each strip.
These were fine, but I wasn’t blown away. They heightened sensitivity somewhat, but not to such an extent that they can make or break the experience. And to be honest, I’m going to repeat something I said above. If I’m going down on a lover, I want to taste them, not a mouthful of mint.
The Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Massage Candle comes in a little tin. It is made of body-safe, skin-friendly, and plant-based ingredients. The main ingredients include Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis oil, Cocos Nucifera (coconut) oil, and Shea butter.
The Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Massage Candle melts quickly once you light it. I had plenty of usable oil within less than a minute after lighting. When I wanted to top up on oil mid-massage, it took no more than 10-15 seconds of the candle being lit to get the amount I needed. The box says to light it for 15 minutes but honestly, unless you want the entire thing melted, that’s not even close to necessary. Any oil you don’t use will just harden again as it cools, ready for next time.
Both my girlfriend and I loved the subtle coconut scent of this candle. It’s distinctive without being obtrusive or overpowering, and helps to create a lovely romantic, relaxed vibe as it permeates your space. Our skin felt wonderfully soft and moisturised after trading massages, and I still kept catching little whiffs of the scent hours later.
I often struggle with oily sensations for sensory reasons, but the Bijoux Indiscrets Massage Candle’s oil doesn’t leave my skin feeling unpleasantly greasy because it soaks in so well. An oil-based product that doesn’t have me running to wash it off my hands? That’s an achievement in itself.
Because there’s no wax in this candle, you can also use it as a moisturiser or as a fragrant addition to a bath if you like.
For the avoidance of doubt, this is not the same as a wax play candle. The melting point of the oils is much lower than that of paraffin or even soy wax, meaning that—even if you drip it from very close to your partner’s skin—you’ll get a pleasant warmth rather than an “ouch.”
The oil will start to harden again as it hits the body, but as soon as you run your hands over it, it’ll melt again and start to be absorbed into the skin as you massage. This means that, unlike with wax play, there’s little to no cleanup afterwards.
Due to the oils it contains, this massage candle is not compatible with latex or polyisoprene (though it’s okay with polyurethane.) This means you’ll need to be careful if you’re using barriers such as condoms or dams.
I also didn’t love the slight black residue you get on the inside of the tin and across the top of the candle when it’s been burning a few minutes. It doesn’t really get on your skin in any noticeable way, but it looks a bit yuck.
Depending on how generous you like to go with your oil, you’ll probably get 4-5 massages out of one candle. You could make it last a little longer by going lighter on your coverage, but more is definitely more here in my experience!
The Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Massage Candle retails for £18/$22.
Thanks to Bijoux Indiscrets for sending me these Slow Sex products to test in exchange for an honest review.
