Showing posts with label 4Ms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4Ms. Show all posts

The Reach


The Reach, a platinum silicone dildo by Doc Johnson, is a bendable, easy-to-use, easy-to-clean toy that's perfect for beginners and advanced users alike. Read the entire review soon on Eden Fantasys. 

 The packaging for the toy is about as simple and plain as it gets: paper and plastic. And once you open the box, you can't close it again, so it's sadly no reusable.

 The size and length as compared to a standard deck of cards. It doesn't have much in the way of a handle, but it's about seven inches total in length.

And... sex toy by night, broken antenna by day. The Reach will now be part of my lady bug costume for Halloween! Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home!


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Sheer Thigh Highs & Elbow-Length Gloves


Earlier this year, I took a burlesque class. This class, taught by a professional burlesque dancer and choreographer, was nothing like the pole dancing class that I took a few years back. The pole dancing class was very much "breathe and play with the it" while the burlesque class was more business- and end result-focused, in some ways. As in, "this is how you move your body and use the props in order to entice, enhance, tease and create a presence on stage."

I wasn't great at the pole dancing -- I'm shy, and wee bit clumsy, especially in ridiculous heels -- but I wasn't awful either. I can move, I'm athletic, and I'm willing to try risky things like jumping up and sliding down a pole by my legs.

However, I was really bad at burlesque dancing. I think I could get better, with time and practice (just like I did with step class and eventually salsa dancing) but in a three-hour class, I mostly just felt uncomfortable, out of place and confused. This was no fault of the teacher or the class at all -- both were great -- it was that I was so far out of my element that I flushed, fumbled and fell on my face (not literally, but you know.).

Still, I was intrigued and excited. There was something I liked about cocking the hat on my head, whip-cracking the boa through the air as I pulled it off my neck, and tugging the gloves off with my teeth that I liked. A lot. If only I could learn how to do it at home, in the presence of just me, so that I could get over the extreme self-consciousness that I felt.

And, lo and behold, lingerie.com offered to help me do just that. To let me play around and learn my, ahem, skillset, they sent me white, sheer thigh highs with a seam up the back, as well as a pair of elbow-length white satin gloves.

Typically, I wouldn't chose white. I gravitate toward black or red as a rule, but when I pulled the stockings out of the package, they looked so... innocent that they actually were sexy. It's like the school girl outfit or the plain white undies -- they're so sweet and innocent that they highlight the inherent sexiness of a person.

As to fit, I have big calves and fairly big thighs, so stockings are always hit or miss. These were definitely a hit -- they were snug over my calves without cutting in, the line up the back was easy to keep straight, and while the top of the thigh-highs rolled once they were on my thighs, they didn't roll as badly as most (and if anyone knows the serious secret for keeping thigh-highs up on thick thighs, I'd love to hear it!). They're very soft feeling as well, and thick enough that putting them on, playing around with the while taking photos and strip-teasing them off didn't do any damage to them at all.

Ditto with the white gloves. So white you just WANT to muck them up, and satiny soft to boot. The bit of stretch in the material means that they go on and stay on, but that you don't lose any feeling in your fingers from bad circulation. The stitching is nice quality, and the material's not terriblythick, either, so you can actually feel through them, which is always good when you're talking about toys for sex.

Now, that's how they go on. But the real question is how do they go off? I'm sure you won't be surprised if I admit that the first time I wore them, we barely got through the photos before we were doing other things. Oops. The tease would have to wait until next time.


Okay, time two. The gloves are perfect for teasing off -- they hook over the elbow, but not so tightly that you can't pull them off with your teeth. The secret to this trick is making sure there's a little loose fabric at the end of your fingers so that you have something to grab onto and pull with. Of course, with white fabric, you probably want to keep the lipstick to a minimum. Pull each finger off part way with your teeth, so the glove hangs loose on your hand, then pull it off the rest of the way. Growling is, of course, an option. Catch the end in your hand as it slides off, and you can then use it as a mini-whip or as something to drape around your partner's neck and pull him closer.

The stockings were a little harder to do with dignity. They roll off really easily, of course, because they're thigh-highs and, on me at least, they were already starting to roll almost as soon as I put them on. Then they got saggy-baggy around the ankles and I didn't know quite what to do with them (also, I should have taken the shoes off first, but let's pretend I didn't just admit that). I really blame that on user error, however, and not the stockings, as they stayed white and silky and strong the whole way.

So, overall? Both of these are winners. Really nice quality, sexy in their own innocent-white way, and delightful not just to put on and wear, but also to take off. Now, if I could just get my hat to stay on my head at the proper teasing angle...

Thanks again to lingerie.com for the chance to play!

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Riley Steele’s Forbidden Fancies Rocket



Ahoy, matey! This here landlubber done gone and get herself a new toy...

Okay, so I make a shitty pirate. But this simple vibrator, with its velvety-soft finish, its rock-em-sock-em vibes and it's adorable paint job, is likely to have you walking the orgasm plank in no time flat.

Full review to come shortly!

Size, as compared to an average deck of cards. 
*


The pirate-style packaging, which truly didn't give me a lot of hope for the toy, but which turned out to be a poor indicator of quality. 
* 

IN A NUTSHELL

PROS: Easy to use and clean. Vibrates all over with various speeds.

CONS: C Batteries. Not waterproof. No way to turn it off quickly.

OVERALL: 4Ms


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Dream Maker Heavenly Dolphin


Dream maker, dream maker, make me a dream... Okay, that's probably too much to ask for from a single toy, but this rabbit-style vibrator has a lot to offer if you're a fan of filling, rotating, wiggling fun.

Packaging

The Dream Maker Heavenly Dolphin...

(Wait a minute. Seriously, what is with the names of sex toys these days? Who's doing the marketing on this suckers that you need a name that's four words long? How about Diving Dolphin? Wave-Wonder? Dreamy Dolphin? Listen, sex toy-making companies: Call me for marketing assistance. Really. I mean it.)

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled review. Ahem.

This toy comes in some seriously smart, pretty packaging. It looks like this:

And also like this:


It's like a lunchbox for your sex toy. Which I think is cool for a couple of reasons. First, unlike so much of the sex toy packaging, which involves a ton of cheap plastic, this one is metal. Thus, it's recyclable or reusable. It holds the intended vibe nicely -- and I like the foam padding, because it's absorbent, which means that you can place the toy on top of it after cleaning to air dry. On the other hand, if you took out the foam, you could fit a number of play things in here (meaning toys, not people!) for storage or transportation. It doesn't have a handle, but it does have a solid closure clasp, so no worries about things falling open. Size-wise, it's about the length of a shoe box, but skinnier.


Materials

The dolphin is made of a polymer blend, which is one of my favorites because it can be (as it is in the case) soft and squishy, yet fairly firm. I'm not a huge fan of overly hard toys for internal use -- I like a little bend in my end -- and this one fits the bill for me in that regard. It's also somewhere in the middle as far as porousness, which means it can be washed easily with soap and water (but no-no-no on the boiling!) and will take kindly to silicone- or water-based lube. It should also be wearing a condom if you're going to be sharing it. 


Performance

So, I have to admit that I haven't been a huge fan of rabbit-style vibes in the past despite their apparent popularity. Why? It's something about the fact that the shape doesn't always fit my body -- either the shaft doesn't bend to hit my g-spot or the clit-wigglers don't actually reach my clit. Which is part of the reason I wanted to try this one out. Surprisingly, this one actually does both -- in fact, I now understand why women like rabbit vibes.

Here's what it has to offer:
  1. It's big. I mean to the point where I laughed when I pulled it out of the package. The thing is nearly ten inches long! Of course, much of that is taken up with the control panel (more on that later), so there's only about five inches of insertable length, but still, that combined with the girth (about 1 and three-quarters inches in diameter) was enough to make me gasp. I've had trouble getting things of that size inserted in the past (and must admit that I'm not much of a size queen -- shape is more important to my pleasure), but the bend-ability and give of the material made this work for me.
  2. It's seriously waterproof. I had my doubts, because the control panel looks like it would leak a lot. But it doesn't, or hasn't yet. And I submerged it in the sink just to test it out and it withstood it just fine. 
  3. It's got a lot of options. Truthfully, this is both a good and a bad thing. Here's the control panel:

A little confusing, right? Basically, the buttons on the left control the speed and intensity/variation of the shaft, while the buttons on the right control the speed and intensity/variation of the dolphin nose (clit stimulator). The star ... does something. I think it lights up and tells you what you're doing, but it's kind of like Morse Code and I have no idea which sequence of lights means which program.

For me, I tend to find one "program" that I like and stick with it -- which means I end up flicking through the buttons a lot until I find the one that I used last time. There's no memory on the thing, so it starts in the same spot every time. Now I have it memorized: Click the left button four times, click the right button five times, and that'll give me the combination that works best for me. Good if you like a lot of variety. Maybe overkill if you tend to use the same type of stimulation again and again.

Along the options line, there's a wide variety of power and speed. The vibrating balls inside (I don't know quite what they're for, but my guess is a combination of rigidness and extra stimulation) rotate the shaft in a variety of ways, from small circles to big, from slow and easy to pretty darn high. Ditto with the dolphin nose (which I happen to think is pretty cute :P)



What's Bad? Just a few things:
  1. It takes four, yes, four AAA batteries. Holy hells. I use rechargeable batteries. But still. 
  2. It's kind of loud until it's inserted. And even then, it hums along pretty good. I would say that the noise is equivalent to the speed and power, so it's a trade-off, but it's definitely not one of the more subtle toys I've played with.
  3. Your enjoyment of the toy seems entirely dependent on your physiology. I suppose this is true of all toys, but especially those that are designed with dual stimulation in mind. This toy works for me because it hits my g-spot and my clit without a lot of adjusting, but that's not going to be true for everyone. Unfortunately, there is no try-before-you-buy option, and with a nearly $70 price tag, you're taking a big risk if it doesn't suit your body type. 
 IN A NUTSHELL


PROS: Easy to use and clean. Lots of options. Darn good orgasms.

CONS: Too many options? Uses a lot of batteries. Expensive.

OVERALL: 4Ms

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      B-Bomb Vibrating Silicone Plug


      B-Bomb, a vibrating anal plug by Tantus, available at Good Vibrations
      *

      Sometimes, this toy reviewer stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be. You end up reviewing toys that totally, complete suck -- and not in the good way. However, sometimes you get something in the mail that is just so fantastic that it makes up for all of those other toys that bombed.

      That is the case with the B-Bomb, a vibrating anal plug by Tantus (supplied free from Good Vibrations). I'm so tempted to make cracks about how this plug is da' bomb... Mainly because it is. Which then makes the joke less funny. (Also, it's kind of shaped like a bomb, which is... slightly disturbing. Although truth be told, I love this toy so much that it could be shaped exactly like an atomic bomb and I would still use it).
        
      So, What's to Love?
      • First, the material rocks. This kind of silicone is my favorite -- firm and yet has a lot of squish so that it seems to fit inside perfectly. It's very smooth and it works well with a water-based lube, sliding right in.
      • The vibrations are just enough without ever being too much.
      • It's incredibly easy to care for: throw it in the dishwasher, boil it, bleach it, soap-and-water it. So simple.
       The battery bullet. Waterproof, sturdy, gives good vibrations.
      *
      • The vibrating bullet is sturdy, well-made and water-proof. It slides into the base of the toy and gives out surprisingly strong vibrations. 
      • You can remove the vibrating bullet and use the toy with a wide variety of suction-cups (Tantus makes one especially for these toys).
      • It's a good size for a wide range of anal players. With just over three inches of insertable length and a circumference of four and a quarter inches, this toy will make you feel full without being too full. I found the length was just right for me -- meaning when it's fully inserted, I get really strong vibrations in all the right spots.  
      • It's a great solo-play toy. Once the plug is in, it stays in and the vibrations stay on. Which means it leaves your hands free to do other things. 
      • It's great for DP. The give of the material means that you both get a lot of fullness, but it doesn't constrict the vagina so much that your partner can't get in (as can happen with glass toys or toys that are made from less flexible materials). 
      • It's really pretty. Mine is a kind of shiny purple, and the material and shape make you just want to play with it again and again.  
       Size, as compared to a standard deck of cards.
      *
        What's Not To Love?
        • The end is a little on the pointy side. Which means that if you don't have perfect aim or you're not already pretty well lubed up, there's a good chance your first experience with this toy will sound like, "Ow." 
        • The battery casing/bullet doesn't go all the way in. I think it's supposed to, so that the battery lies flush into the base of the plug, but I couldn't get it to fit all the way. This makes for some hilarity -- during double penetration, the Boy kept accidentally turning the vibrator on and off with his thrusts -- and it means you can't sit with it in, etc. But that might just be my particular toy and others may have a better experience with it. Also, the bullet is hard as hell to get out, even without being flush to the base. 
        • The material attracts every bit of dust and dog hair that you can imagine. I've found very few toys that this isn't true about, but it's still a pain in the butt, washing lint and hair off the toy every time you want to use it.
        Overall, this is a fantastic toy that has made the top-shelf of my toy box. I love the way it feels inside -- in terms of the shape, the material and the vibrations -- and I love how easy it is to use and care for.

        A lot of sex toys bomb right out of the box. The B-Bomb exploded right from the start, and it just keeps getting better and better.

        4Ms.

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        Sportscuffs & Tether


        I used to have a great velcro-cuffed, under-the-bed tie-down kit. I had it for years, and I loved it -- I can't remember who made it now, but I do remember a lot of good times. Then I got a furry creature in my life and I wasn't having sex very often, and while the velcro cuffs were hanging unused on either side of the bed, they unknowingly became hair magnets. I was packing up to move to a new house when I finally pulled the cuffs out, realized they were no longer black velcro, but had become orange and yellow, and so filled with hair that they looked like something was trying to nest in them. Needless to say, in that state, they were about the least sexy thing I'd ever seen, and it was pretty clear that the hair wasn't coming out of the velcro. Alas, they didn't make the final cut when it came time to move things, and I've been without a good pair of tie-downs ever since.

        Thus, when I saw this sportcuffs and tether kit by Sportsheets on Eden, I jumped up and down in excitement, and then begged them to send me some. I've had them for a couple of weeks now, and would have written this review sooner, but I've been gratefully tied up for much of that time. Just doing my job, of course. Research. Pure research.

        -Waits for the laughter to die down-

        Okay, onward to the review! 

        MATERIALS


        These cuffs feel soooo nice on my wrists and ankles. They're made of this great, stretchy neoprene (like a wet suit or a yoga mat) and they really hug your skin without getting overly sticky or sweaty. You can feel them enough to remember that you're wearing cuffs -- an important part of bondage's arousal factor for many of us -- but they never feel cumbersome or overly loose/tight. The neoprene makes a tight, firm closure, which I liked a lot, without pinching, pulling or catching at my skin. 

        The velcro that holds them on is strong and thick -- there's no way to accidentally have them fall off once you've closed them, but you can easily get out of them by pulling on the velcro straps if you need to. Although velcro can sometimes be sharp on the corners (think of those old velcro sneakers you had once!), this velcro doesn't feel like that. Even the edges are soft.

        The tethers are simple and plain -- the kit comes with two tethers, each two feet long. That length, together or combined, gives you lots of play options, including sliding them under a queen-sized bed. In addition, there's a simple slider that lets you shorten the tethers, which is really nice for binding someone without a lot of movement. The material is strong, stain-resistant and soft enough to also be used against or around skin.

        Connecting everything together is easy, since each piece has both a metal loop and a metal bolt snap. You can connect the cuffs together, the cuffs to the tethers, the tethers to each other, the tethers to a ring hook in a wall or to an iron railing or, really, to just about anything.

        I will say that this set isn't the most gorgeous cuff and tether set I've ever used -- I much prefer leather for the way it looks -- but it doesn't look bad. And sometimes it's okay to trade looks for utility.

        PLAYTIME


        The great thing about this toy is its versatility. While testing it, we:
        • Looped the tethers around the headboard. This was great for using them both as wrist restraints and then as ankle restraints (I put my head near the headboard, and then lifted my feet. It makes a nice way to hold that position without having to actually HOLD the position!)
        • Slid the tethers under the queen-sized bed. They work really well as an under-the-bed restraint system, and if you had two, they would be fabulous. They could probably even fit under a king-sized bed. 
        • Used the tethers to hold me in an office chair by wrapping the tethers around my thighs and then hooking them to my wrists. This gives a great feeling of being well and tightly bound, and the tethers didn't bother my skin at all.
        Even after a couple of hours of use, I never felt like these cuffs were becoming uncomfortable. I did notice afterward that they shifted a lot (even though I didn't feel the shifting at all). In the picture below, you can see how the velcro shifts out of the cuffs -- This didn't happen when we used them on my ankles, so I think this is because I have small wrists, and wrapping the cuffs tight enough leaves a lot of unvelcro-ed cuff remaining. Something to think about if you have tiny wrists or ankles. But again, it's mostly for appearance concerns, since I really didn't feel them slipping.


        CARE & FEEDING:

        This kit is incredibly easy to care for. You could leave it hanging on the bed (or under the mattress), or you could just roll it all up and put in into a closet or toybox. Do be sure and close the velcro cuffs when you're not using them, though, especially if you have long hair or pets, since the velcro tends to attract all the hair in the house!

        For cleaning, just wipe off with a damp towel and let air dry. The neoprene dries quickly, but the tethers take a little longer.

        IN A NUTSHELL


        PROS: Easy to use and clean. Lightweight. Portable. Comfortable and Strong.

        CONS: Could be prettier.

        OVERALL: 4Ms

        *

        product picture
        BDSM kit by Sportsheets

        This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer.

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        Floggerella



        Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved leather. If someone said the word, she would practically start drooling. When some man near her slid his fingers along his big leather belt, she was pretty sure she'd gone to heaven. Once, she got to watch someone clean a leather saddle and the smell of it, the sight, even the soft sound of a cloth moving over the curves of leather -- was enough to make her live happily ever after...

        Okay, so it's not a fairy tale so much as it's a slight obsession that I have with leather.

        My obsession is so bad, that recently the Boy started wearing a deodorant that smells like leather just to tease me. Now, I can't stop sniffing him. It's addicting. He, of course, thinks it's hysterically funny and he laughs when I do it. And then keeps on wearing it, all in that evil way that sadists have.

        I'm just telling you all of that so that you know to take any of my leather-based toy reviews with a grain of salt. After all, I'm already biased toward the thing, just by its very nature.

        That being said, it shouldn't surprise you that I've become a fairly big fan of this fairy-tale version of floggers, the Floggerella (by Leatherbeaten).

        MATERIALS

        Why fairy tale? Well, the name, of course. But also that it comes in three colors -- most of them fairly fairy tale-ish. Pink and purple and black. (Not being much of a girly-girl, I chose the black one. Of course.)

        But it's also tiny, like something a fairy godmother might wave around. If she had a sadistic streak, that is.

        This flogger is incredibly small and light -- it doesn't weigh anything at all. The handle seems to be made of a hollow plastic (addendum: after being hit with the handle, I'm not sure if it's all that hollow; see below), and the leather lashes are thin and soft. Measuring a total of about a foot and a half in length, the leather strips themselves take up nearly twelve of those eighteen inches, and they have a suede-ish feel on one side and more of a snakeskin look on the other.



        The material and texture of the strips -- like suede on one side, like grained leather on the other.
        *


        The fact that it didn't have any heft made me wonder if it was cheaply made. So I fiddled around with the leather strips and the handle and off the connecting points for a bit, to try and see if anything came loose or fell apart. It seems sturdy and well put together, despite all of my tugging and yanking. There is a wrist strap at the end, but we didn't use it during play; it does however, make it easy to hang the toy off door knobs and hooks.


        Size and shape, as compared to a deck of standard playing cards. It's incredibly small and light-weight. Kind of like a fairy godmother's wand. A rather sadistic, dressed-in-black fairy godmother, but still.

        *

        PLAYTIME


        So, if we're still talking fairy tales, you could call me the Princess and the Pea. I'm tender and I bruise easily. Which is, of course, just the way I want it.

        If you're like me, and crave that intense combination of pain and pleasure, then this flogger will probably walk the line for you. It takes a pretty hard swing to get any real pain out of it and the sting is fairly mild (Note: I understand that the other colors are different kinds of leather, and thus differ in their intensity, so that's a good thing to keep in mind if you're looking to buy one).

        When used on the ass and back, the sting is fairly mild. If you're going for a harder sting, I found the best places were the inside of the thighs, the stomach, the soles of the feet, and the breasts. The Boy said he found it slightly difficult to aim with, perhaps because the handle really doesn't have any weight, so it wasn't balanced that well for harder or higher swings.

        Overall, this flogger does make some nice welts, if either you or your partner are into the visual appeal of flogging. It also makes a nice crack against the skin, although it's not super-loud. In fact, I had to force myself to stay quiet and quit crying out, so that we could listen to it better. It makes a good sound, I'll admit, but the Boy says it's not as good as the sound that it makes me make, so he doesn't care.

        If you turn it over -- meaning if you hold the handle near the flogger end and whack someone with the actual plastic handle -- it's going to hurt like hell. Yes, voice of experience. Granted, it's not made for that, and the Boy says it's kind of hard to hold onto, but the sensation -- and the remaining welt -- is very much like being hit with a small, wicked cane.


        One total bonus to this flogger: I've never before understood the appeal of soft things on my skin. Feathers and light touches tickle, most other gentle things are just plain irritating. But this flogger somehow has the perfect build for a gentle touch. The Boy dragged it lightly down my back and it felt like an amazing massage. I could have lain there for hours and let him flow the leather across my skin. I have no idea how this works, what magic or science makes the leather strips just that soft and smooth that it does this to me, but there it is. Talk about sleeping beauty...



        The fairly light stroke marks left on the top of my leg by the Floggerella. They're actually more prominent than they look in this photo, and they grew more pink after the photo was taken.

        *


        THE BEAST BARES HIS TEETH

        What would any fairy tale be without a Prince? Or, more likely in this case: A Beast?

        The Boy wanted to throw his twelve cents in, so here it is. The Floggerella from the Dom's perspective:

        When I was asked to give my thoughts on the Floggerella, I was a bit skeptical.  Alright, I'm lying, I was incredibly skeptical.  A single look at this rather 'limp-wristed' stick/pleather combination simply screamed 'I promise I won't hurt you.'

        It turns out that I was right and I was wrong.  Of course, I'll only admit to one of them.

        So, first, we'll get the good out of the way. The toy is light-weight enough to be slid into just about anything you can think of for travel.  After all, anything that could be carried in anything from a back-pocket to an umbrella cover is perfect for the impromptu encounter.  It's surprisingly durable, and I happen to think that I have a penchant for being a little rough.  No matter how much force (or how little, for that matter) you put into the swing, it's guaranteed to have a rather satisfying 'snap' in result. 

        The thing that nearly (yes, nearly) sold me on it is the simplicity of it.  After all, it's merely a stick with a few straps of 'leather' to it.  All it takes is a little imagination and a little patience to find all sorts of uses on your partner – Certainly a few that the manufacturer never intended.  It's just as effective dragging the leather tips across a set of curves than it is marring them.  And, if caning is your speed, the handle makes a very effective rod.

        Overall, as much as I'm about to tear Floggerella apart in the following paragraphs, I rather like the toy.  Light-weight.  Simple.  Effective. Durable.  Portable.  The sound it makes on contact with skin alone gets stellar marks from me. 

        Now.  The bad.  When I said it looked 'limp-wristed,' I meant it:  The thing looks and feels like it came out of only the finest sweatshops the Far East has to offer.  That's not to say that it's Thrift Store quality, but it certainly feels like it.  If I'm going to be holding something over a restrained partner, panting for more, I want to feel like I'm actually holding something with heft, not a feather.  (Then again, the feather has some uses, as well.)

        And looks?  Certainly, in hand, it's a rather sexy – if simple – tool, but my first thought is that it seems to be a swizzle-stick with leather tails wrapped in electrical tape.  I didn't know whether I should stir desire or stir coffee.  Still, again, simplicity can sometimes be the best path.  As with any toy, it's down to whatever your preference may be

        And, finally, my last complaint (I swear!), I truly don't feel any weight behind this toy. Because there isn't.  No matter how hard you swing, or satisfying the 'snap,'  it's seemingly designed to deliver the least amount of pain.  Only after repeated lashings does it show a mark on even the lightest skintone.  I don't care if you're a descendant of Hercules, you're going to feel a tad kittenish.  After using it in several 'sessions,' I'm utterly convinced that this toy is meant to be all bark, no bite.

        In the end, I'm trying my damnedest to be either for or against this particular piece, but I can't.  It accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do:  It's a simple, easily-accessible, non-threatening toy for both the experienced and novice BDSM practitioner, and makes a nice addition to anyone's toychest.

        I merely wish it had a set of teeth as opposed to dentures.

        CARE & FEEDING

        The plastic handle can be easily wiped clean with a warm washcloth. The leather can be treated the same way. Do be careful about getting things like lube on the leather, however. We got some on the suede side and it took a bit of elbow grease to get it clean. Because the strips are so thin, they seem to dry pretty fast, though, and it didn't stain the black leather.

        This is another one of those toys that's incredibly easy both to care for and to store. You can throw it anywhere, really. It's fairly indestructible, the handle doesn't seem breakable, and the leather strips don't get tangled. We tend to keep ours tucked between the mattress and the headboard, where it's within easy reach. You could also easily hang it up by the wrist strap, which is big enough to fit over most doorknobs and bedposts.

        IN A NUTSHELL

        PROS: Portable and packable, easy to care for and clean. Sensation varies from a flowing massage to a medium-intensity sting.

        CONS: Could provide more of a snap and crackle, both in terms of pain and noise. The handle could be stronger/heftier/prettier/more substantial.

        OVERALL: 4Ms


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        Single Strand Beaded Clamps




        I'm a sucker for pretty things. And even more of a sucker for pretty things that are smart and strong enough to hurt me. Thus, if I could have Lena Heady as a dom, I would be one delighted girl.

        Alas, since I can't have her, I'll take the next best things. Right now, one of those things are these purple beaded nipple clamps from Spartacus.

        MATERIALS

        Despite my penchant for pain, I have really sensitive nipples. That's part of the reason I like these clamps so much. They provide pain without providing OWPAIN! They open to fit around everything from a rather thick pen down to a toothpick, so no matter what size your nipples are (and what level of pain you prefer), these clamps are likely to meet your needs. There's no real weight to them -- the chain and the clamps are very light -- so unless someone's actually pulling on the chain, there's not a lot of pain, which makes these clamps good for beginners as well.

        By adjusting the easy-to-slide metal ring around the V of the metal prongs, you can have a lot of control over the hold of the clamps. The same adjusting ring makes it really easy to open the clamps to get them off, which is nice if you find that your nipples get even more sensitive post-orgasm and they start yelling, "Get it off! Get it off!" Just slide the rings down and in seconds you can let those girls out of their cages (or, if you're the dom, don't slide the rings down and take joy in the suffering of your partner. You know you want to).



        Big enough to fit a deck of cards...




        ...small enough to clamp onto a single Ace of Diamonds.
        *

        In addition, I've found that if they're squeezed on pretty tight, there's not much chance of slippage (unless you've accidentally covered them in lube or lotion -- oops). On the other hand, if someone accidentally gets a hair, a belt or a hand caught in the chain (another oops, a rather big oops, in fact), the clamps aren't so clingy that they won't slide off. You'll likely say, "Ow!" really really loudly, but they won't tear your nipple off. Always a bonus.

        One thing to note: The rubber tips come off of the metal ends pretty easily. I already lost one, and spent about an hour digging through the toy box to try and find it, only to give up and then discover it buried in the sheets next time I did laundry. If you don't want to take the rubber tips off (which I don't, because I find the metal tips too harsh for my tastes), then you can easily put a bit of instant glue inside each tip and essentially glue it to the metal. With a lot of use, the tips might still come off, but they're not as likely to do so. Of course, if you're into more pain, you can always remove the rubber bits on purpose and use the  sharp ends of the metal. Are they designed for this? I'm not sure, to be honest, but I figure if people are putting Endurance Clamps on their nipples, then these would probably seem like a walk in the park.




        The ends of the clamps without the rubber covers over them.
        *

        The beaded chain is pretty and sturdy, and on me if I'm sitting up, it reaches just past my navel. Overall, it's about a foot long, plus the clamps, which add another three inches to each side. I find there's something sexy about belly chains, whether they're around a belly or over it, and thus my need for pretty has been met. Walking around the house wearing nothing but these clamps, which make a delightful whispery-clacking sound, is intoxicating -- both for me, and for the Boy who appreciates me in next-to-nothing. Especially a next-to-nothing that he can grab onto, yank, and get an instant groan out of me.

        However, I don't recommend wearing these under clothing while you're out. The chain is just far too likely to get caught on something -- pants button, shirt button, bracelet when you go to scratch your stomach, the nearby coffee counter, another person, your key ring -- and elicit rather unsexy screeches that will bring children, pets and next door neighbors running. Oh, and that cute barista that you've been flirting with for the past three weeks who wants to know if you're really okay and if he can do anything to help. To which, if you're anything like me, you'll mumble something akin to "Ohmygodmynipples" and then realize what you've said and make a beeline for the bathroom, leaving both your coffee and your wallet behind.



        The sturdy beaded chain has a wire base and features lots of pretty purples, white and blacks.
        *

        PLAY TIME

        Here's why I love these clamps so much (and why I like them much better than the clamps without the strand of beads): During masturbation, you can look a hand through the strand. It makes for a fantastic tugging-without-too-much-pain sensation with each movement of your fingers.

        The strand also gives a partner something to hold onto, which can be a lot of fun (as long as you've set the prerequisite "how hard can I pull?" standards ahead of time). It's easily reachable whether you're on your hands and knees or on your back, and there's something arousing (to me at least) about knowing the Boy has a hand on the chain -- and by proxy on such a sensitive part of me. All he has to do is tweak the clamps slightly and I'm suddenly panting. Actually, all he has to do is pull them out of the toy box and let me hear their soft click-clack and I start panting. But don't tell him that -- I don't want him to think he has ALL the power.




        CARE & FEEDING

        These clamps don't require much in the way of maintenance. Clean the rubber grips if you get something on them, and ditto with the rest of the toy. I've used these in the shower a number of times and  then left them out to dry on a towel afterwards; they've never rusted or had any other issues.

        They don't really get tangled, which is also nice because you can throw them into your bag or suitcase, and not have to worry about them. Of course, their size and near weightlessness makes them ideal for travel. If you're getting ready to travel and are only going to bring two toys, I say go with these nipples clamps and the equally compact, lightweight, indestructible Screw.


        IN A NUTSHELL


        PROS: Lots of variation in tightness, pain and pressure. Well made. Easily adjustable.
        CONS: Rubber tips fall off.

        OVERALL: 4M



        ***





        product picture
        Nipple clamps by Spartacus
        Material: Metal
        Safety:

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        Toy Covers



        When it comes to sex, having the right tools can be nearly as important as having the right partner. If you're looking for a way to keep your small- to medium-sized sex toys clean, safe and shareable, these unlubricated latex toy covers by Cal Exotics may be just the thing for the job.


        SAFE & SOUND


        MATERIALS


        Easy-to-open packages make these covers easy to get at in the midst of the action. They're also easy to roll on, without the stickiness that comes from pre-lubed items.
        *

        Made of a really thick latex, these covers seem small when they come out of the pack, but they really have a lot of stretch to them. They fit over most of the toys in my toybox, including plugs and vibes. For some of the smaller toys, such as the Little Flirt, they're too long --- there's a lot of leftover still rolled up around the base of the toy. Which isn't actually a problem, because you can't really feel it, but it's something I noticed. The only thing they can't handle is the larger toys and anything with a serious g-spot bend -- they covers are just not long enough. (There is, however, a larger size, which I haven't tried, but my guess is that those will handle the job just fine).

        One thing to note: They're easier to get on than they are to get off. Thus, I actually had to cut it off one of the thicker toys because I couldn't get the cover to roll off. And this was without them having lube or anything on it to make it slipperier.



        They don't have much smell or taste at all, which is a pleasant touch. The color is a sort of lilac/pink combination -- very pastel and when you look at a cover unrolled, it appears quite dark. However, once you roll it over a toy, it only adds a slight purple hue to the item. I do buy my toys at least in part for a prettiness factor, however, and I wish these covers came in a clear option -- then I could protect my toy while still seeing its natural color shine through.

        Another really nice thing: They don't come pre-lubricated, which means that you can use a water-based or silicone lube of your choice. (I actually wish condoms came this way more often, since a lot of lubes don't work for me). I used them with both Slippery Stuff and Astroglide Gel and the material worked really nicely with them both.

        PERFORMANCE



        These thick latex covers are small, but they stretch to fit almost any small to medium sized sex toy, including thick and odd-shaped anal toys like The Screw.
        *

        To me, safer sex items should be a little like that old adage about children: they should be neither seen nor heard, but should do their job and do it well (okay, so I just combined an old, out-of-date and useless adage with something akin to child labor, but you get my point. Maybe.). All function, no bells and whistles, in other words. And that's just what these covers are. Roll them on, lube them up, then play away, knowing that they're keeping your toys -- and you -- clean and safe and sound. Then you throw them away and start all over again.

        While these covers aren't likely to enhance your sex life by giving you mind-blowing orgasms by themselves, they can enhance your state of mind and make you feel comfortable and clean, which sometimes can make all the difference.

        IN A NUTSHELL

        PROS: Thick, stretchy, dependable. Makes play and clean up easy.
        CONS: It would be nice if they came in a clear option. Slightly expensive (compared to condoms).

        OVERALL: 4Ms


        *

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        Precious Metal Gems




        These days, it seems like we're used to having a million bells and whistles on our toys. But the Precious Metal Gems vibrator is truly back to basics: A pretty, simple, strong vibrator that will get your rocks off without any fuss or muss. If you're new to vibrators or just want a return to the basics, this is an excellent, inexpensive, pretty choice.






        Size, as compared to a standard deck of cards.

        *

        IN A NUTSHELL

        PROS: Revs like a crazy thing. Pretty. Solidly basic.
        CONS: Loud!

        BUZZ: Seriously revs
        SOUND: Way loud
        OVERALL: 4Ms

        *





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        SLUT Paddle



        If you're going to buy a paddle, I think you should buy one that excites you in lots of ways. This one hits all those parameters for me: it looks gorgeous, sounds great and feels amazing.

        PERFECT FOR PAIN SLUTS


        This SLUT paddle (made by Sportsheets) is a really nice toy for both beginner and advanced BDSM players. There is a lot of noise in the pop of the leather, but it can also pack a pretty hard wallop for those who are more into the pain side of spanking.

        Read the entire review here!


        IN A NUTSHELL


        • Hit Power: Mid-range
        • Slap Sound: High
        • Overall: 4 Marvels


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        The G-Twist

        There are so many vibrators out there that it's sometimes hard to tell one from the other. The G-Twist is a stand-out in both material and options. You just have to get the damn thing open first!

        I had a toy from Fun Factory a long time ago, and I have to admit, I didn’t like it much. It was made of a really firm material and was far too straight for my body. Even though it was designed for internal use, it never really felt like it fit me very well.

        The G-Twist is very, very different. Deemed a ’semi-realistic’ vibrator, it’s made of a really nice, soft silicone — the entire shaft has a lot of give without being loosey-goosey, and the feel of the material is smooth and sort of velvety. It’s designed with a soft curve, to hit your g-spot, features a delightful vibrating clit nub, and it’s layered with ridges (which I’ll talk more about below). I have to admit, my favorite part is the tip — it has a beautiful shape, with a very realistic curve to it that I find sexy. But then I’ve always loved the head of the penis, so this makes sense. It’s just a very, very pretty vibe with a pleasant feel (yeah, I know, who cares, right? You want to know how it works. I’m getting to that, I promise!)

        Anytime I buy a toy, for either pleasure or review, I try to judge it both as a new toy (the honeymoon phase) and as a toy that’s been in my toybox with all the others for a while (I’d call it the ’seven-year itch’ phase, but that doesn’t sound very good, so I’ll think of it more as the long-term lust phase).

        So, after having the toy in my toy box for a month, here’s what I have to say about it:


        Honeymoon: This vibe is frustrating at first. The battery housing is slightly confusing — you have to press the sides in really hard in order to open it (I struggled with it for so long, I thought about asking my neighbor for help, but since I’ve not said anything more to him than “hello” and “oh, it’s really okay that your dog barked all night long, no worries,” I figured that showing up at his doorstep with a pseudo-cock, a couple of batteries and a helpless look wasn’t the world’s best idea). In the end, I got it open, only to discover there is no “Battery Installation for Dummies” imprinted on the device. Meaning: I have no idea which end was up when it came to sticking the batteries in their slots. I tried three different ways, none worked, and then I dug up the paper that came with it, and found the proper order of the pluses and minuses. Note: It’s never a bad idea to keep the paperwork that arrives with your sex toys.

        The good news is that it comes with batteries, so once you figure out how to find the hole (battery-speaking), you don’t have to wait before you can rock and roll.
        Once I got the toy up and running, it took some juggling to figure out how best to use it. The main problem: the on/off/speed up/slow down buttons are all rolled into one big dial on the end of the vibe. This meant that as I was holding it, the dial kept sliding — vroom! putputput… nothing… vroom! — and it took me a while to teach myself how to hold it without always jiggling the dial.

        And the ridges… what does one do with the ridges? They’re not painful, but they’re big, and you can feel them. I’m not sure I know what to do with them. But then, I’ve never really liked ribbed or bumped anything, so this is probably just a matter of taste.

        Now, having said all that, with those minor issues out of the way: I started to like this vibe. A lot. The feel is perfect for my tastes — not too hard, not too soft. Instead, it’s, as that other golden-locked girl once said, “Just right.” The vibrations vary from barely there to “oh, yes!” and the motor stays fairly quiet no matter how hard you rev it. The clit ridge is versatile as well — meaning you can use it if you like, but it’s small enough to angle out of the way if you’d rather get hands-on instead.

        Long Term: This has now become my go-to vibrator. The G-spot angle is fantastic, once you know how to work it (and if you’re saying, “What G-spot? I don’t have a G-spot?” you might be right, but I bet this vibe will still find it for you. There’s something about the angle, the shape of the head and the ridges that makes the vibrations stronger in that general area). There’s also something about the shape and the styling that makes this toy delightfully unobtrusive and approachable, and after all this time, I find the vibrations are both strong and quiet, a rare combination.

        I still don’t know how I feel about the ridges — they’re very pronounced, so I think care is called for if you’re going to be doing a lot of thrusting. I’m thinking that most people aren’t going to want to use this as an ‘in and out’ toy, so much as a rocking-style toy, in which case I find the ridges don’t bother me, but they don’t do much for me either.

        Still, the rest of it is fantastic — hard and squishy at the same time, well-angled, the right length, nice vibration levels in both the shaft and the clit nub. The handle, which I struggled with at first, has now become my best friend, allowing a great deal of control when it comes to angle, pressure and vibration.

        So, my final suggestion? Splurge on this bad boy. Get a hot guy or girl to help you with the battery bit. Then go to town — it would work well for hot solo sex, as well as for couple play. It might take you a little while to get the hang of it (or maybe that was just me), but once you do, it’s likely to become your BFF (that’s not Best Friend Forever, by the way, that’s Best Fuckable Friend).

        Care & Feeding: One of the great things about this kind of vibe is that it’s easily washed with soap and water, and you can use just about any lube you want with it. A couple of notes: Don’t use scented soap, as the residue can be irritating. Also, this vibe has, as I mentioned, a lot of ridges, so be sure to clean around and under them fully. Lastly, it can get wet, but don’t immerse it, as the casing isn’t waterproof and you don’t want water in the motor and batteries.

        LAST WORD:

        • Rev Power: High-ho!
        • Sound: Fairly quiet
        • Overall: 4Marvels

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