Sex Toy Review BY JOY KORLEY
I commend people for navigating the ins and outs of sex for the majority of history without the aid of sex toys. But while this feat is impressive, it is no longer necessary. A 2017 study of adult toy manufacturer Adam & Eve found that Americans spend $15 billion on sex toys annually, that 44 percent of women 18 to 60 have used one, and that 78 percent of those women were simultaneously in a relationship (terms used by the study). Why go through a potentially stressful flirting experience when everything you need for a magical night is right in your underwear drawer? Neither monogamy or singlehood have to be monotonous. Studlife’s 2018 Sex Issue survey found that 96.82% of WashU men, 78.35% of women, and 78.52% of gender non- conforming individuals masturbate. Furthermore, of the 34% of students that own a sex toy, 75.7% own a vibrator and 27.4% own a dildo.
With so many people using toys, I figured I could offer a short guide to the best ones. I visited multiple sex stores around St. Louis, chatted with the staff at each one, and compiled a list of the most highly recommended products. Enjoy ;) |
How to Radiate Sex
What if I told you there was a perfume that you could put on that actually makes people more attracted to you? These perfumes contain pheromones, which are chemicals produced and released into the environment by people (and animals) affecting the behavior of others nearby. They have two scents, one that is meant to attract men and one that is meant to attract women (hello binary). I sprayed myself with some when I visited Patricia’s and I have to say that quite a few men did hit on me in the metro (STAFF PICK: Dona). |
Lube Galore
With so many different types of lubricant, it can be intimidating to decide which is best for personal use and for you and your partner(s). The two main types of lubricants are water-based and silicone. Water-based lubricants are easier to remove from the body and tend to feel more natural. Also, they are better at maintaining the pH of a vagina. Note that if you're using water based lube and you feel it drying out, it can be re-lubricated with a bit of water or spit and it will be just like new! Silicone-based lubricants are mostly gels and they break down less easily than water-based ones. That being said, they are great for longer sessions either solo or with partner(s), as well as shower play (because the water won’t wash them off so easily). However, silicone-based lubes can compromise the surface of sex toys which are often created of solid silicone. So, never use silicone-based lube with silicone toys. Lubricants can also have heating and cooling elements and they come in a variety of flavors. It just comes down to personal preference and sensitivity. Be sure to try the lube on a sensitive patch of skin, like the upper inner thigh, before applying it to the genitals to avoid having an adverse reaction in the worst place! (STAFF PICK: The Jo and Wicked). |
Knowledge is Pleasure
For just $19.99, anyone can unlock the secrets of the clitoris. If you are unsatisfied with the four seconds spent on female pleasure in Sex Ed and want to learn how to bring maximum satisfaction to someone with a vagina and clitoris, this is for you. And if you’re tired of having a partner rub your inner labia give them this and tell them the test is in a week. About 75% of women have never reached an orgasm from intercourse alone and 10-15% have never orgasmed under any circumstances (James, 2009). Hopefully this video will help solve that problem and improve those stats! |
Dildo City
The dildo is indeed a wonderful invention. It gives a single person the ability to have penetrative sex with no partner. When selecting a dildo there are many options. Big or small, skinny or thick, glow in the dark or polka dotted, you can find it. Quality dildo prices can run a little high, so you want to make sure you get one with a suctioning bottom to get the “full experience.” Suction that sucker to any flat surface, turn on a mood playlist with a little too much SZA, and have yourself good time. Most sex stores will let you feel the dildos before you purchase (remember to wash them before use) so you can feel the different textures and choose the one that feels best (STAFF PICK: UR3 CodeBlack). |
Female Enhancement Supplement
Ladies, IT IS HERE. These pills are mostly plecebo, filled with plants such as stress reducing ginseng, black cohosh (popular treatment for women’s health issues by Native Americans and subsequently European colonists), dong quai (a root which has no proven effects on humans), and L-histidine, and amino acid. But still, after hearing positive feedback on JO Female Enhancement supplement from multiple women I spoke to in sex stores, I decided to try it out for myself. The dramatic side of me expected to take this supplement and have to lock myself away from society due to the ravenous sexual appetite it might produce, but it didn’t go exactly like that. The packaging recommends that you take the supplement 30-60 minutes before sexual activity. After a glass of wine, I took the supplements one night before a solo session and patiently waited for my body to be overtaken with desire. This same day, I had also worn one of my Shibari Kegel balls. Kegel muscles are found in the pelvic floor of the vagina. Using Kegel balls has multiple benefits including strengthening the kegel muscles and increasing sexual pleasure. With the supplement, I experienced a noticeable uplift in my mood and energy level accompanied by stronger, longer-lasting orgasms, but whether they were due to the wine, the pills, or the kegels is up for debate. Either way is was a good time and I will definitely be picking up some more. |
Good Vibrations
Vibrators can be a body’s best friend. They may be the best invention since sliced bread. Back in the 18th century, doctors would prescribe pre-historic vibrators as treatment for hysteria. And if you’re afraid that using a vibrator will decrease sensitivity in your clitoris, that has been proven to be a myth (Hebernick). Vibrators actually can in some cases help women bring sensitivity back to their vaginas and clitorises after birthing and surgeries. They have also been instrumental in allowing people on antidepressants to orgasm again after their sexual arousal was flattened as a side effect. Vibrators come in any shape, size, color, vibration pattern and speed you can think of. It can take trial and error to find the perfect vibrator, but honestly, most types can get the job done. AND get it done efficiently. (STAFF PICK: Gee Mini Vibe). |