After the Premium turned me into a Womanizer convert, I was excited to review another clitoral suction stimulator from the manufacturer that started the craze: the Womanizer Pro40, produced in partnership with Lovehoney.
Womanizer Pro40: Details
The Womanizer x Lovehoney Pro40 utilizes Womanizer’s signature Pleasure Air technology, which stimulates the clitoris via rapid pulses of air through a nozzle. These types of clitoral stimulators can be a godsend for those who get easily overstimulated for find that buzzy vibrators tend to numb them out. (They do not, however, feel like receiving cunnilingus. Whatever the hype says, I will die on this hill: it’s marketing fluff and it’s not true.)
The Pro40 is fully waterproof and rechargeable via the included USB cable. It measures 6.5″ in length and is comfortable and light to hold.
The Pro40 has an ABS plastic body and removable silicone nozzles. The colour scheme is a pretty mix of black and the ever-trendy rose-gold. The presentation and packaging lacks some of the high-end luxury vibe you get with some Womanizer products, but I just can’t bring myself to care that much about packaging. It’s all getting slung in the recycling anyway.
Womanizer Pro40 Review: Pros
I’ll be honest: a lot of the time I’ll try a suction toy, review it, and then either pass it off to a friend or shove it in a drawer and forget I have it. I fucking love this one, though. I’ve been reaching for it again and again lately, long after all the necessary testing sessions for this review were complete. It’s just really, really good.
I’ve been wondering, as I try more suction toys, whether they’re all broadly the same. The answer is “superfically kinda but also not really.” The basic sensation you get from each one is similar, but I’ve tried enough at this point to start noticing more of the nuances and benefits of each one. There are two things that really set the Womanizer Pro40 apart from similar toys I’ve reviewed for me:
First, the suction is what I can only describe as “smooth.” It feels like it’s caressing my clit rather than the aggressive almost tapping-like sensation you can get from lower quality suction toys. Secondly, the shape of the nozzle is excellent. It sticks out a good distance from the body of the toy, making it much easier to angle it effectively against my clit.
I like that the nozzles are removeable as this makes cleaning your toy between uses a breeze. The buttons are sensibly located and easy to press. The Womanizer Pro40 even has something I seem to bang on about in every review: dual-directional speed controls.
Finally, the battery life is great. I’ve had over 3 hours use out of a single charge.
Cons
The Womanizer Pro40 only has six levels of intensity, which wasn’t a big deal for me but I’m including it in the review because it might be a downside for some folks.
It’s also pretty loud, especially when you turn it up to full power. So you’ll want to bear that in mind if discretion is important to you.
Womanizer Pro40 Review: Verdict
I adore this toy! I was so surprised by how good it it and how well it stacks up against more expensive models. Fully endorsed.
At £99.99 ($119/99 US), the Womanizer Pro40 is on the pricier end but still more wallet-friendly than the pricier Classic, Duo, and Premium models.
Thank you to Lovehoney for sending me the Womanizer Pro40 in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are, as ever, my own. Affiliate links are used within this post and send a small commission my way if you make a purchase.
I, along with many other sex bloggers, recently received a package of seven sex toys from Satisfyer which included the Yummy Sunshine vibrator, This brand, known primarily for suction-based toys, is now making vibrators too. I gave most of them away to friends, but decided to keep and try out this one: the Yummy Sunshine.
Unfortunately, I have to acknowledge that many of the new Satisfyer products are pretty blatant rip-offs of Fun Factory designs, right down to the loop handles. This happens a lot in the sex toy industry (and Satisfyer is plenty guilty of it, having started life riding on the suction toy coat-tails of Womanizer,) but that doesn’t make it acceptable. So I’m immediately predisposed to dislike this toy from that perspective.
Satisfyer Yummy Sunshine: Details
The Satisfyer Yummy Sunshine is made of bright yellow silicone with a plastic handle. Sex toys aimed at people with vulvas tend to come in a small range of colours, with pink, purple, and red reigning. There’s nothing wrong with any of these shades, of course, but it’s nice to see something a little different. One of the reasons I gravitated to the Yummy Sunshine was simply that I’ve rarely seen a yellow sex toy.
The Yummy Sunshine is an internal vibrator measuring 8.75″ in total length, 6″ in insertable length, and 1.5″ in diameter at the widest point. Given the size, it’s pretty lightweight. It has a lightly ribbed shaft and a gentle curve.
This toy is USB rechargeable via a magnetic charging pin. It’s also waterproof.
In Use
The Satisfyer Yummy Sunshine has 6 speeds, 6 patterns, and a straightforward three-button interface. Though the buttons are well-placed and easy to press, the lower button is the “up” setting and the upper button is the “down” setting for some reason, which is completely counter-intuitive. When it comes to holding this toy, I like the loop handle but someone with larger hands might find it more difficult to use as the loop is pretty small.
In use, my overwhelming impression of this toy was “blah.” It’s fine but I’d be unlikely to reach for it by preference.
The vibrations are mediocre, neither rumbly nor powerful enough to be impressive. I can orgasm with the Yummy Sunshine if I set my mind to it, but it’s one of those toys where the orgasm almost feels like more trouble than it was worth.
I will say that I like this toy’s shape and texture. The curve is just right for targeted G-spot stimulation. The soft silicone has a nice flexibility that allows for comfortable positioning. I also like using the ridges and ripples along the shaft externally on my vulva and clit.
Satisfyer Yummy Sunshine: Verdict
I didn’t hate this toy so much I wanted to throw it across the room, but I was left with the overwhelming impression of something that’s just barely okay. It gets the job done, just about, but there’s nothing great or special about it. Again, it’s also a blatantly stolen design and nowhere near as good as the Fun Factory products it mimics. Overall, you can do better for your money.
You can purchase the Yummy Sunshine for $49.99 from SheVibe or £63 from Sex Toys UK.
Thanks to Satisfyer for sending me a shipment of toys including the Yummy Sunshine for review. All view are my own. Pics are by me. Affiliate links are used within this post.
I’ve been sitting on this one for a long damn time, in part because it took us so long to get to actually testing this toy. But after giving it a second trial run, I am ready to tell you all about the Offbeat silicone masturbator (stroker) from Godemiche.
Godemiche, a UK-based retailer run by husband-and-wife duo Adam and Monika, has been making gorgeous, hand-poured silicone dildos for a number of years now. They’ve now branched out into penis toys as well. (And yes, their marketing copy refers to the Offbeat as a toy for the penis, not the less inclusive but more common “toy for men.”)
What is the Offbeat Silicone Masturbator?
The OffBeat is a tube-shaped penis masturbator made of silicone. It is available in five different internal textures. We received “Bumps”, which Godemiche describes as “a balanced texture that’s not too intense, not too light – perfect for first-timers.” The outside has a gentle ripple texture, and the company name is stamped along the rim at the bottom.
Each OffBeat comes in its own little storage tub which looks like a miniature poster tube. This useful addition makes for easy and hygienic storage and travel.
Unfortunately, most of the penis strokers and masturbators on the market are still made of porous and sometimes toxic materials such as jelly, rubber, PVC, TPE/TPR, and the notoriously vague “Realistic Feel.” So I can’t say enough how good it is to see a body-safe silicone stroker at an affordable price (especially when you consider how long it should last!)
Sizes and Colours and Customisation Galore
The OffBeat silicone masturbator: “Grande” (short) is 2″ in length, and “Venti” (full-length) is 4″. Both sizes are 1.1″ in diameter and stretchy. The Grande is ideal for those who prefer concentrated stimulation around the head of the penis, while the Venti is best for whose who enjoy having their entire shaft stimulated. The Grande is also a great companion to oral sex! If you’re looking for something that feels more akin to penetrative sex, choose the Venti.
We received the longer Grande version to try out.
The OffBeat, like Godemiche’s dildos, is available in numerous colours. Ours is pearlescent gold and it’s absolutely beautiful. You can choose Godemiche Purple or a surprise colourway at no extra cost, or pay £10 more to select your own colour from the 32 (at time of writing) on offer.
Offbeat Silicone Stroker: In Use
I obviously don’t have a penis, so I turned to my trusty stunt-cock Mr C&K to help me out with this one and asked him to report back.
Apparently, the bobbles on the inside of the toy provided a good amount of friction and sensation without needing to grip very hard at all. This may make it a good choice for people who suffer from hand or wrist pain when masturbating or giving hand sex to a partner. The gentle ripple shape of the outside of the sleeve also means it sits comfortably in the hand, a finger in each dip.
Mr C&K also said that one of the things he likes about this toy is that it is so simple, but really makes masturbation feel substantially different from usual. He likened it to the difference between masturbating with your dominant vs non-dominant hand, or the difference between touching yourself and someone else stroking you. Basically, if you’re looking to change up your usual masturbation routine for any reason, grab yourself one of these!
The Offbeat silicone masturbator is stretchy, allowing for most users to enjoy it regardless of penis size and then “hugging” the cock once it’s inserted. For maximum comfort and pleasure, I recommend adding water-based lube to both your penis and the inside of the toy.
The Offbeat can be a little bit of a faff to clean due to all the little ridges and bobbles. I suggest turning it inside out before boil-sterilising it every few uses or before sharing it with a partner. In between uses, a good wash with some hot water and gentle antibacterial soap should do the trick.
Offbeat Silicone Masturbator: Verdict
Mr C&K and I both really like this toy! It’s simple, effective, body-safe, affordable, and should suit a wide range of bodies. We might just go and get all five textures, honestly!
The OffBeat retails for prices starting from £29.99 (Grande) and £35.99 (Venti) from Godemiche.
Thanks to Godemiche for sending us the OffBeat silicone stroker in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own. Affiliate links appear in this post.
Update 30/10/23: the original Womanizer Duo dual stimulator is no longer available as it has been replaced with the Womanizer Duo 2. All links in this Womanizer Duo review now point to the new edition. However, be aware there may be variations between this version and the newer iteration.
I am very, very picky when it comes to dual stimulation toys (that is, toys that stimulate the clitoris and vagina at the same time—rabbit vibes are the most classic example.) Most of them simply don’t work very well for me. Would the Womanizer Duo, an unusual dual stimulation toy featuring a clitoral suction stimulator, break that pattern?
Womanizer Duo Review: Details
Womanizer is a high-end sex toy brand with high-end prices to match. The absolute cheapest model, the Womanizer Starlet, will set you back £69.99 at full price. This model, Womanizer’s most expensive yet at the time of writing, retails for £171/$224.
The Womanizer Duo’s basic design is similar to that of a rabbit vibrator. It has an insertable shaft and a clitoral stimulator. However, instead of the traditional vibratinbg “ears,” the smaller arm sports one of Womanizer’s patented Pleasure Air clitoral simulators.
Image: Womanizer
At 9″ in total length, this is a pretty hefty toy. However, the insertable length is a more manageable 5″ and the widest part of the insertable shaft is 1.4″ in diameter. The Womanizer Duo is waterproof and USB rechargeable, with a battery life of around 2 hours 2 hour charge. Its body is made of silicone and it is available in an array of colours including black, burgundy, and blue.
As well as the toy, charging cable, and instruction booklet, in the box you’ll also a satin storage bag and two removable silicone heads for the clitoral stimulator in different sizes. These are great if you want to share your toy with a partner safely.
Just like I commented in my Womanizer Premium review, the Womanizer Duo packaging reminds me of the kind of packaging that would hold high-end perfume or make-up. It’s stylishly designed and beautifully presented. However, it’s also a bonkers amount of single-use plastic, which I don’t love.
Womanizer Duo In Use: Controls and Features
Image: Womanizer
The Womanizer Duo has six buttons in total. One turns the toy on and off, another changes the vibration pattern, and the remaining two pairs control the speed of the internal and external stimulators respectively.
The controls take a little getting used to because there are six separate buttons and a lot going on. However, the buttons are easy to press and intuitively placed, and I appreciate having dual directional controls. I feel like I complain about single-directional controls in every other review, so this is a point in the Womanizer Duo’s favour.
I do not like internal vibrations. I find them uncomfortable and occasionally even painful. When I use dual-stim toys at all, I prefer those that have a thrusting mechanism or a “come hither” motion. So it’s a huge deal to me that I can control the Womanizer Duo’s internal vibrator and clitoral stimulator completely independently. This means I can insert the internal arm and enjoy its pressure while the clitoral stimulator works its magic, without having to deal with unwanted vibrations.
The Womanizer Duo has 12 levels of intensity for each arm. The internal vibrator also offers 10 different patterns. This means that hundreds of different combinations are possible and you can tailor your experience to exactly what you want.
Like the Womanizer Premium, the Womanizer Duo boasts the extremely useful “Smart Silence” feature. When Smart Silence is enabled, the toy’s motors will only activate when it close contact with a body. This is a great feature for those who need a more discreet toy. It’s also useful if you’re travelling with your toy.
Womanizer Duo Review: Overall Experience
It took a bit of experimentation to get it to work for me. It’s large and bulky, and it can be awkward to hold. The controls are a little complex, as I mentioned above. However, once I got comfortable and found the combination of settings that worked for me, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to reach orgasm with this toy.
To be entirely honest, if I hadn’t committed to writing this review, the Womanizer Duo isn’t a toy I’d likely reach for. Overall, I found the orgasm I got from this toy more trouble than it was worth. It took about five times as long as using my favourite bullet or wand (or, frankly, my hand.) I had to keep adjusting it, and holding the toy in place was cumbersome and annoying. It’s also quite difficult to keep a solid seal with the clitoral stimulator, and impossible to do any kind of thrusting without completely losing clitoral contact.
The clitoral stimulator is the usual high-quality, smooth suction Womanizer fans have come to expect. The G-spot stimulator, though, will likely disappoint those who enjoy internal vibrations as they are weak and buzzy.
I think it says a lot that I tossed the Womanizer Duo in a box after I finished testing it and making notes for this review, and I haven’t reached for it again. It’s unlikely that I will.
Pro tip: as well as using plenty of lube on the internal arm, dab a bit on the nozzle of the clitoral stimulator. This helps the toy to form a better seal against your body.
Verdict
The Womanizer Duo is wildly expensive and kind of a pain in the ass to use. It’s an interesting idea, and the combination of internal stimulation and clitoral suction definitely has promise, but the execution is frustrating.
I definitely wouldn’t suggest the Womanizer Duo as either a first dual stimulation toy or a first suction toy. Make sure you actually like these types of toys before you splash out nearly £200. The Womanizer Starlet is a more affordable introduction to suction toys, and a good rabbit vibrator will allow you to find out if dual stim toys are your jam.
Q: what’s unique about Rocks Off? A: it’s the only sex toy company whose toys I have seen on the shelves of my local Sainsburys. Rocks Off has consistently offered solid basic toys at affordable prices, and I just received the new Chaiamo bullet vibrator to try out.
Rocks Off Chaiamo: Details
The Chaiamo is a straight vibrator with a gently tapered tip. It measures 6″ in length, with 5″ of insertable length and a diameter of 1.25″ across the centre of the shaft. The button is located on the base of the toy.
The Chaiamo is waterproof and USB rechargeable, with an battery life of around 3 hours for a 3 hour charge. It has made of silicone, with a plastic base. I received the black version, but the Chaiamo is also available in burgundy.
Chaiamo Review: In Use
If I could describe the Rocks Off Chaiamo in one sentence it would be “simple yet effective.”
Shape-wise, it offers excellent versatility. Use the edge for broader stimulation, or the tapered tip if you’re looking for something more focused (though not truly pinpoint.)
It’s also suitable for internal use, if that’s your jam. I hate internal vibrations and I prefer my insertable toys to have a curve, so the Rocks Off Chaiamo isn’t a good choice for internal use for me. However, fellow sex blogger Isabelle Lauren describes her experience very positively in her review. This toy does not have a flared base so is not safe for anal use.
The Chaiamo’s body is rigid, making it ideal for me as someone who likes to press toys firmly into my vulva. Its straight shaft is smooth and untextured.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the Chaiamo’s motor. It is not only pretty powerful, but also far more rumbly than most toys I’ve tried at this price point. It’s also fairly quiet, if that’s important to you.
The Rocks Off Chaiamo’s one button interface is simple to use and the button is easy to press. However, scrolling through all 10 settings—3 constant speeds and 10 patterns—if you want to go back one step is always super annoying.
Rocks Off Chaiamo: Verdict
I’m so impressed with this toy considering how cheap it is!
If you’re looking for a versatile and well-designed basic vibrator with a good motor at an affordable price, the Chaiamo is that toy.
Update 23/04/25: the Satisfyer Multifun appears, mercifully for genitals everywhere, to no longer be available. I normally remove content about defunct and obsolete products, but this Satisfyer Multifun review is staying because I think it’s worth showing you all what truly terrible sex toy design looks like.
It’s here, folks. The winner of the not-so-coveted title of “the worst designed sex toy I have ever had the misfortune of putting anywhere near my genitals.”
I hate being snarky about toys. I really do. I always try to find something positive to say. But in this case, I just… I can’t.
Satisfyer Multifun Review: Basic Details
First impression: what is this even for?
Satisfyer is known for its suction-based toys such as the Satisfyer Pro 2 Next Generation and Satisfyer Pro Penguin, many of which have been good-to-excellent. That’s why I was a little surprised that this offering is such an absolute, irredeemable mess.
The Satisfyer Multifun is a U-shaped toy with two prongs that come almost together at the top. There are two very slight variations between the Multifun 1 and 2: the Multifun 1 is blue and the Multifun 2 is pink, and the ends of the prongs curve in very slightly different ways on each. Again, the difference is tiny. Calling them two different products is, at best, a stretch.
The Multifun contains three motors, one in each of the prongs (which are operated together with a single button) and one in the base (operated separately with a second button). The toy is about 5 inches long in total, 3.5″ being the prongs and 1.5″ the base.
This toy is waterproof and USB rechargeable.
Safe Isn’t Enough
When I ranted to Mr C&K about how terrible the Satisfyer Multifun is, he pointed out that it’s at least a slight improvement on many terrible sex toys in that it is body-safe. And yes, it is. The entire body of the toy is made of silicone, which is the gold standard for body-safe sex toy materials.
But, as I explained to him, at this point I don’t see “body safe” as enough. I see it as a bare fucking minimum. At this point in my career, “this toy is body safe” is up there with “this food didn’t give me food poisoning.” It’s not a glowing recommendation, it’s a basic expectation.
So yes. This toy is body-safe. Can I say anything else positive about it? I’m honestly really struggling.
Satisfyer Multifun Review: Multi-NoFunWhatsoever
On the back of the Multifun box, Satisfyer has helpfully (and I use the word “helpfully” in the loosest possible sense) included diagrams of different ways to use this toy on both a vulva and a penis. Being the dutiful and diligent toy testers that we are, we tried all of them (except the “hang it off your balls” one, because even Mr C&K’s tolerance for doing weird shit to his genitals for the benefit of my readers has its limits.)
All 12 of Satisfyer’s suggestions were… equally terrible? Similarly nonsensical?
Pinching it around my clit was mildly painful for the two seconds it stayed on, and then merely annoying as it kept slipping off. Trying to stick it inside me made absolutely no sense whatsoever as it’s entirely the wrong shape to do anything but poke me annoyingly in the vaginal walls. Trying to get it to hang off my nipple like a nipple clamp was merely hilarious (and, needless to say, a complete failure).
Hanging it around Mr C&K’s penis in various configurations produced no greater reaction than “well… that’s kind of in the way.”
Even using it as a straightforward clitoral vibrator didn’t work, because the vibrations were so weak and buzzy that I literally Did Not Feel A Fucking Thing.
Texting a fellow sex blogger friend about this (mis)adventure, I described the Multifun’s vibrations as “akin to a bee buzzing away on my clit. Not even a hive of bees. Just one.”
A Non-Exhaustive List of Other Things I Hate About This Toy
The sound. Good God, the sound. This thing doesn’t just buzz, it whines.
The buttons. They’re small, fiddly, and hard to press.
The ridiculously gendered marketing. The Satisfyer Multifun proudly proclaims to be “for men, women and couples” (ah yes, the three genders?) There are so many better ways to market that your product is suitable for different types of bodies. The diagrams of possible ways to use it with different genital configurations is more than enough (or would be, if any of them made an iota of sense.) And literally anything can be a toy for couples if you use it with a partner. As if this wasn’t bad enough, it comes in exactly two colours: baby blue (Multifun 1) and pastel pink (Multifun 2.) You know, conveniently colour-coded in case you don’t know which one is for you.
Satisfyer Multifun Review: Not Satisfying, Zero Fun, Thanks I Hate It
I hate this toy. I hate it with a burning passion that surprises me. I have never hated a sex toy this much. No, not even the stupid vibrating jelly cockrings like the ones you get out of pub toilet vending machines (is that still a thing or am I showing my age there?) At least we knew those were going to be terrible, and at least they didn’t have a nearly $50 price tag).
I implore you, do not buy this toy. Your genitals deserve better. For powerful clitoral stimulation, get the We-Vibe Tango X. For a decent vibrating cock ring, get the Hot Octopuss Atom. For a great toy to wear during penetrative sex, get the We-Vibe Sync or Chorus. And for your nipples, even a fucking vibrating bra is a better pick than this nonsense.
Satisfyer: what the fuck is this? Please do better. And for the love of God, please test your products on actual human genitals before you mass produce them.
Thank you to Satisfyer for sending me this product to review. Affiliate links appear within this post.
One of the requests I receive most often is for remote control panty vibe toys, or vibrators that you wear inside your knickers. I can understand the appeal of them in theory. The idea of something stimulating you as you go about your day is alluring to a lot of people. The problem is that most of these so-called “vibrating knickers” suck. Would Lovehoney’s Desire Remote Control Panty Vibe be the toy to change all that?
Lovehoney Desire Panty Vibe
This vibrating knickers set, part of the Lovehoney Desirerange, consists of three components: the vibrator itself, the remote control, and the knickers to use it with. All of this is presented in a zip-up pouch. The vibrator measures 4″ long. It is saddle-shaped and made of smooth, rigid silicone. There’s a single control button on the top and a nub on the underside which (supposedly) rests against the clitoris when worn.
Image: Lovehoney
The main toy is rechargeable, but the remote control requires a single CR2032 battery (included). The panty vibe is waterproof and submersible, but the remote is only splashproof.
Image: Lovehoney
The included knickers tie up at the sides, making them adjustable to fit various sizes. I wear a UK size 16 and they fitted me with plenty of room left over, though they may not be suitable for larger bodies. Annoyingly, there are no measurements or sizing information on the product page. The panties are made of soft black lace, though I don’t love that they’re polyester-based. They have a little pouch in the gusset where you slip the panty vibe to keep it in place.
Desire Panty Vibe Review: In Use
The Desire Knicker Vibrator has 12 speeds and 8 patterns to choose from. At the higher end, the vibrations have a decent amount of power, though they’re not as rumbly as I would like.
The best thing about the Desire Panty Vibe’s design, by far, is its shape. It sits comfortably flush with the curve of the vulva, and the bump on the end is ideal for brushing against the clit and providing some gentle friction. The pouch in the knickers means that the toy stays in place fairly well, though once you start moving around it’s hard to maintain constant clitoral contact. Think “tease” rather than “orgasm” with this one.
Image: Lovehoney
There’s a one-button interface on the toy itself, which allows you to cycle through the various pattern settings. However, you cannot turn the power level up or down on the toy itself. The remote, however, allows you to select both a pattern and a speed. The remote control range on this toy is about 8 metres, assuming a clear line of sight.
I don’t really agree with the description of the Desire Panty Vibe as “whisper-quiet” (do I ever?) It has a pretty distinct buzz. It’s not loud enough to be bad, but it’s also not quiet enough to be a selling point.
Lovehoney Desire Vibrating Knickers: Verdict
My overall verdict on this toy depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re after a vibe to simply masturbate with to get off, this is probably not your best choice. I’d recommend going for the bullet or for the pebble clitoral vibe instead. However, if you’re after a panty vibe or “vibrating knickers” style experience, or a way to hand over control to someone else while keeping your hands free, this one could be a good choice.
The Desire Knicker Vibrator retails at £69.99 from Lovehoney UK or $99.99 from Lovehoney US.
Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this product to review. Affiliate links appear in this post.
When it comes to body-safe pleasure products at affordable prices, Blush toys are hard to beat. Let’s look at the most recent one I received to try: the Ruse Jammy, a realistic dildo with a large girth size.
Blush Toys Ruse Jammy: Large Girth Realistic Dildo
Image: Blush Toys
The Ruse Jammy is a dildo for those who like their toys girthy. This toy measures 7.5″ in length and 2″ in diameter.
The Ruse Jammy has a realistic veiny shaft, a subtle natural curve, a pronounced coronal ridge and head, and lifelike skin texturing. The level of detail is impressive for a toy at this price-point. It is made of 100% silicone, available in purple or black. The base is a suction cup, making it suitable for anal play, strap-on sex, or hands-free pleasure.
Blush Ruse Jammy In Use
There’s a lot to like about this Blush toy. The silicone is soft, velvety and not too matte, with a nice glide especially when you add a little lube. The curve is just about perfect, and the shaft is fairly dense while still retaining some flexibility. Its pronounced head stimulates the opening of the vagina or anus on insertion, which some people find pleasurable.
I have to be honest: I’m not a “size queen” (someone who prefers very large penises or toys.) A challenge can be fun occasionally, but most of the time small to medium is more than enough for me when it comes to penetrative pleasure. I also find anything touching my cervix intensely painful.
The Ruse Jammy by Blush isn’t exactly an ultra-giant toy, but it’s on the edge of being too much for me. I find that I get the most out of it when I use just the first two or three inches of the shaft, rather than trying to insert the whole thing.
Blush Toys Ruse Jammy: Verdict
If you’re looking for an affordable yet body-safe girthy dildo, the Ruse Jammy is a great choice. Considering that some toys this size run to £100 or more, the under-$50/£38 (at the time of writing) price-tag makes this one a budget-friendly alternative.
Sex toy kits are a fantastic idea in theory, but usually significantly less amazing in practice. Too often, they’re little more than a collection of cheap and poor-quality products shoved together in a pretty box and sold for a premium price. I’ll nearly always tell my readers to forego a kit and spend a bit more on just one or two quality items. However, I try to keep an open mind, which is why I agreed to review the Take Control Bondage Kit for beginners from Lovehoney.
Take Control: A Beginners’ Bondage Kit by Lovehoney
It’s been a very long time since I was new to BDSM. I’ve been doing kinky shit for well over a decade and have accrued a sizeable collection of toys, from basic staples to custom collars, premium impact toys, and more. So a beginner kit is not something I would ever buy for myself.
Therefore, I am trying to step back in time ten years or so in my mind, and view this BDSM starter kit through the eyes of someone who is just starting out, collecting their first beginner BDSM toys, or maybe wondering if they’re even kinky.
Lovehoney Take Control Bondage Kit: First Impressions
The Take Control Bondage Kit comes in one simple box, with all the products clearly displayed on the front so you know exactly what to expect. The packaging is brightly coloured and fun, reducing the intimidation factor for nervous new kinksters.
There’s a LOT of information on the box, too. I appreciate that Lovehoney has provided a brief description on how to use each item as well as some basic information on safety and consent. The box reminds players to use safewords, never leave a bound person alone, and have a non-verbal safe signal if someone is gagged. It’s pretty 101-level stuff, but that’s also what a complete newcomer to kink is likely to need. Top marks for that.
I wasn’t delighted with the way the box was packed. Everything was just sort of piled in, each item wrapped in a cellophane wrapper. It’s a lot of unnecessary single-use plastic.
There is no real leather in this kit, making it vegan-friendly.
What’s in the Lovehoney Take Control Bondage Kit?
With that said, I think this is overall a decent beginners’ bondage kit. Many BDSM starter kits and sex toy kits generally are filled with things that aren’t even safe, let alone of good quality.
Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? Just for fun, I’ve included a fun tip or an idea to try with each item in the Take Control kit. As always, pick the ones that resonate for you, leave the rest, and add your own ideas as you explore.
1: Blindfold
This blindfold is super comfy. It’s also thick and padded, meaning I couldn’t see a thing when it was on. The band is stretchy, too, so it should fit most people comfortably.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Blindfold your partner and stroke different items across their body – a silk scarf, a piece of velvet, the tails of your flogger – and have them guess what each item is.
2. Nipple suckers
I really liked these little suckers! They’re a great gentle introduction to nipple play, and perfect if you want some sensation but without the pain of nipple clamps or clothes pegs. They work for all chest sizes, from flat chests to large breasts, and most nipple sizes. If you flick or hit them too hard, they will fly off, but they can withstand some gentle manipulation.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Tell your partner to fetch you something from another room with these on. They’ll have to move carefully, though – they’ll be spanked if one falls off!
3. Ball gag
Full disclosure: I hate ball gags. I fucking hate them. They make my jaw hurt, they make me drool, and I can’t kiss my partner when I’m wearing one. They’re basically a soft limit at this point. With that said, this is a fine ball-gag if you do like them. The holes make it breathable, and silicone is a non-porous and hygienic material. I also like how adjustable this gag is. With 9 buckle holes, it will fit most people comfortably.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Make your submissive try to repeat words back to you while gagged.
4. Flogger
This is a stingy little fucker! Don’t let the small size fool you, this flogger can pack a wallop. The falls are made of thin rubber, which delivers a vicious sting when you put some force behind it. If pain isn’t your thing, you can drag it sensually across the skin for a gentle tickle. I would have liked the handle to have a bit more width and weight to it.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Try gently flogging the vulva or penis if your partner is up for it. Remember to clean your flogger thoroughly afterwards to remove any bodily fluids.
5. Wrist and ankle cuffs
These were the weakest part of the Take Control kit by far, for me. They’re quite thin and made of nylon, with no padding, which means they chafe if you put any pressure on them. They’re fine for exploring the feeling of being restrained, but if you want to pull against them at all I recommend getting some quality BDSM cuffs.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Restrain your partner then make them watch you masturbate in front of them.
6. Under-bed restraints
These are great, except for the tiny detail that they don’t fit my bed! We have a Super King bed and these restraints fit up to King Size. So they’ll be fine for the vast majority of people, but if you have a ridiculously giant bed like us, they may not fit.
These restraints are strong, durable, and easy to both set up and tuck out of sight when you’re done, if you want to. The little clips mean you can easily add any set of cuffs to them.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: when your partner is restrained, run a cube of ice along their body or drip low-temperature candle wax onto their skin.
7. Silicone suction cup dildo
Wow, a body-safe dildo in a BDSM kit! This shouldn’t be a pleasant surprise, and yet it is. This dildo measures 6″ in length and has a diameter of 1.5″. The slight curve is ideal for targeting the G-spot or prostate, and the silicone is super soft and silky. The suction cup and hollow space for a bullet vibrator are great additions.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Tease your lover’s entrance with the dildo until they beg to have it inside them.
8. Strap-on harness
This is the same harness that Lovehoney sells as part of their basic strap-on sex/pegging kit a few years ago. It’s comfortable and the rings are interchangeable so you can use it with any dildo with a flared base. However, it’s a pretty basic harness and you’ll want to upgrade to a higher-quality harness if you find you enjoy strap-on play.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: If you have a vulva, insert a wearable vibrator before you put on your harness. This will stimulate you while you penetrate your partner.
9. Wired bullet vibrator
I was fully expecting this bullet vibrator to be awful. While it’s far from the strongest bullet vibrator in the world and it is a little buzzy, it’s not a bad basic bullet for the size and price. It has several patterns as well as steady vibration speeds.
I don’t love that it’s wired rather than cordless, but the wire is long enough for one partner to control the remote while the other holds the vibrator against their genitals. The bullet takes 2x AAA batteries, which are not included.
Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Switch it off just when your lover is on the edge of orgasm and make them beg for release.
Lovehoney Take Control Beginners’ Bondage Kit: Verdict
On the whole, the Take Control Bondage Kit is a very solid basic beginners’ set for the price. If you’re brand new to exploring your kinks, you get a lot of bang for your buck here.
Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this kit in exchange for an honest review. If you choose to purchase this or anything else from Lovehoney, please buy through my affiliate links – it supports the blog at no extra cost to you!
I love glass toys, I love pretty toys, and I love double-ended toys. So when the team at sex toy retailer The Adult Toy Shop offered me this beauty, the Gläs Toys double-ended “Red Head” glass dildo, I jumped at the chance.
Gläs Toys Red Head: Details
The Gläs Red Head is a double-ended borosilicate glass dildo measuring 8.5″ in total length. It has a diameter of 1.5″ at the widest points of the heads and 1″ along the shaft. Unlike many double-ended dildos, both ends are the exact same size.
Image: Gläs
The Gläs Toys Red Head is really pretty. I always find glass toys aesthetically appealing, and the red wave pattern on each of the heads gives this one a unique and striking appearance.
Is Glass Body-Safe?
Short answer: yes!
A properly made glass dildo won’t break unless you drop it or it suffers a similar impact. They don’t just shatter and I have never heard of one breaking inside someone. Borosilicate glass, the kind that good glass toys are made of, is what you find in “Pyrex” and similar cookware. It’s hardy stuff and can withstand temperature changes well.
Glass is non-toxic, non-porous, chemically inert and generally hypoallergenic. It is also compatible with all barrier materials and all lube types, including silicone lube. In short, a great choice! Glass is generally an anal-safe material, but the Gläs Toys Red Head doesn’t have a flared base so don’t use this one anally.
Glass toys are smooth yet unyielding, and initially cold to the touch but warm up surprisingly quickly with your body’s heat. Run your toy under warm (not hot!) water or put it in the fridge (not the freezer!) prior to use for some fun temperature-based play.
The Gläs Toys Red Head In Use
I’ve sometimes struggled with straight glass toys because, as they’re so rigid, it can be hard to angle them just right. They end up pressing into the wrong spot inside me, which can be painful. That’s why I love the curved shape of the Gläs Red Head coupled with its ultra-smooth surface.
The combination of this curve and the bulbous heads made the Gläs Toys Red Head ideal for targeted and intense G-spot pleasure.
If you enjoy internal vibrations, insert your glass dildo then press a wand or other powerful vibrator against the end that’s outside your body. The glass will transmit the vibrations with extra intensity.
Gläs Toys Red Head: Verdict
Yes, this is a wonderful little (or not so little) toy for the price! It’s body-safe, super pretty, it feels delicious, and it’s perfect for both solo and partnered play. A perfect beginner glass toy, or even a good addition to an afficionado’s collection.
This unbiased review was sponsored by The Adult Toy Shop, who carry a wide range of very affordable sex toys. All views and writing are, as always, my own.
