Even though conversations about sex and masturbation are getting a little less taboo, nobody seems to be willing to talk about sex toys. YES, we said it— sex toys. We’re not entirely sure why they get such a bad rep. Even if you’re not willing to talk about them, a lot of you probably own at least one or two. If you don’t own any, you’re missing out. Great by yourself or with a partner, sex toys have the potential to bring your pleasure to a whole new level. They’re fantastic for exploring your own body, gaining confidence and finding what works for you (which we highly recommend)! They can take some of the performance pressure off you or a partner, make up for some stimulation you may or may not be getting enough of, spices things up and unlock a million new ways to heighten the experience for you and your partner.
If you’re in the market for a sex toy, it can be very overwhelming. With so many different types and functions, it can be hard to know where to start or what might work best for you. There really is a sex toy for every occasion. We’ve thrown together a list of some of our favorites to guide you in your search.
Vibrators– The vibrator is most women’s go-to for solo play, but they can also be fun with a partner. They come in lots of shapes of and sizes, with dozens of speeds and functions. We recommend:
The Lovehoney Dream Rabbit 10- Function Silicone Thrusting Rabbit Vibrator
Eden 9″ Soft Large Thick Realistic Vibrating Dildo, Multi Speed Powerful Vibrator
G-Power Silicone Extra Quiet G-Spot Vibrator 4.5 Inch
Super Subtle Vibrators- You’ve all heard that “size matters,” but we think these little vibrators are just as fun as their larger counterparts. They make great first toys! Maybe you’re not sure you’re interested in a larger vibrator, or maybe you’re looking for something easy to hide or for something you can easily take on a trip. Though these are smaller, many of them still pack a punch:
BASICS Powerful Pocket Clitoral Vibrator
SCREAMING O My Secret Vibrating Lipstick
Dildos- While vibrators are great, sometimes it’s nice to feel completely in control. Dildos are fun for solo play but we think they’re even better with a partner! Like vibrators, they come in all sorts of sizes and materials. These ones are a good place to start until you find what you like.
Slim Beginner Dildo by Healthy Vibes
Realistic Ultra-soft Dildo for Beginners
Anal Plugs- Another thing people don’t really talk about? Anal. Lots of people love it. If you haven’t tried it: *You MUST start smaller and build up in toy size.* *Lube is your friend. Use it.*
BDSM- BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism) came into the spotlight with the emergence of the Fifty Shades trilogy. It is often misunderstood. Even if the lifestyle overall doesn’t suit you, there may be some aspect of it you find attractive. We recommend that beginners purchase pieces separately instead of a large kit (which can be very expensive). We love:
As we said before, sex toys are great to use alone or with a partner. Using them (and loving them!) is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Whether you’re brand new to sex toys or someone experienced looking for something new, we think it’s great that you’ve decided to expand your horizons and take a step closer to unimaginable pleasure. Happy shopping!
Photos: cover, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (author’s own), 9, 10 , 11