Get informed! Sex Toy Material Guide

There are many types of materials used to make sex toys and it can be very overwhelming to try and understand the differences and considerations regarding each type of material. Recently concerns have been raised regarding phthalates and toxins in some materials making it especially troubling for consumers. Honey has decided to provide an informative resource to serve as a reference when choosing your next sex toy.

What are Phthalates? They are chemicals that soften plastics and are used in a wide variety of products from building materials, clothing and many adult toys. Currently the use of phthalates and how it affects our health is widely disputed and debated. What we do know is that phthalates make the soft surface of the sex toy porous; hence using a condom over the toy can help make the toy easier to clean. Some people have mild skin reactions to the use of phthalates so again using a condom over the toy cuts down on irritations as well.

Silicone: This material is very easy to clean and can be disinfected or sterilized as well. Silicone is a popular choice because it is easy to clean, hypoallergenic, non-porous, flexible, phthalate free and it can come in a variety of shapes and colors. It warms up to the body temperature and can retain body heat. This material is also very durable and long lasting. Silicone can be boiled for 5 – 10 minutes to be sterilized (as long as no vibrating unit is attached) and can be put into the dishwasher as well, they also can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Silicone is great for people who have sensitive skin or reactions to other products such as rubber or latex.
When choosing a lubricant to use with your silicone toy, you must make sure it is water based as silicone based can sometimes erode or melt the silicone material. If using a silicone lubricant be sure to put a condom over the toy. Some great silicone toys are the Fun Factory Boss, Lelo Gigi and Slim Jim dildo.

Elastomer: This material is a slightly porous material that is still easy to clean but cannot be disinfected. Elastomer is now being used in sex toys because it is a soft material but completely phthalate free, hypoallergenic and durable. To clean elastomer you simply need to use warm water and soap. Elastomer is a good material if you have sensitivity to rubber and still want a soft toy. Toys such as the Rabbit Habit, Rabbit Pearl and Layaspot are all made of elastomer material.

Silicone with TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber): Added to some silicone toys, TPR is a lightweight, flexible material to help add more flex and give to silicone toys. It is phthalate free, easily washed, pliable and supple to the touch but more porous than silicone without TPR. The Royal Princess uses this material.

Jelly Rubber: This material is a soft, porous material that can not be disinfected. Latex as well as phthalates is often included within the material of these toys, these materials have been associated with some skin irritations. An option to avoid skin contact with the jelly rubber if you suspect sensitivity is to place a condom over the toy. This will also make clean up a breeze. Jelly Rubber is a good material if you desire a softer material or have a limited spending budget. The Slim Jelly is a popular toy made with this material.

Hard Materials (Hard Plastic, Glass, Metal and Ceramic): These materials do not contain phthalates and are non porous, hypoallergenic and easy to clean. These products are durable and have a firm, smooth texture to them. Many new toys are made of hard plastic with a soft velvety coating, which maintains its phthalate and hypoallergenic property. Pyrex, which is a high quality glass product and hard plastics, are shatter resistant, but should you notice a crack in the toy then stop using it as you would not want it to break during use. You can boil the glass toys but do not boil the plastics. Some great glass toys are the Pink Indulgence or Masagi Glass, and some great choices to hard plastic toys are the Inked Vibes, Tulip G or Black Jewel.

G-Spot Orgasms

“The G-spot is not a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. It is a place in your body…It’s a real, tangible thing, like my breasts and your clitoris, and you can even see it. But for some reason, lots of people seem to think the G-spot is a myth. Or a rumor…No – it’s a real thing, and it makes you come, hard, period. No deep wisdom, soul-searching or goddess worship necessary. But a little knowledge helps.” (The Smart Girl’s Guide to the G-spot Book)

Even with our modern sex education the G-spot has often been misunderstood and thought to be a myth of unreal proportions. We at Honey wish to state that this is untrue and the G-spot is very real and a great way to enhance your sexual experience and keep the orgasms coming.

What is the G-spot?

Around the urethra is a ring of spongy erectile tissue that both men and women have and it is essential for your orgasm pleasures. It is connected to your clitoris and the nerve ending are packed with pleasurable sensations when stimulated.

Where is the G-spot?

Your G-spot is located about 2” inside your body on the upper wall of your vagina towards your belly button. Remember that everyone is created differently so your g-spot could be slightly further or closer than the average 2”. When you become aroused the tissue of the G-spot begins to have a different sensation, it can feel slightly ridged and firmer to the touch and often described in books as being similar to an almond. This is your G-spot, and once you’ve found it you can begin to enjoy a whole variety of new sensations! Some great books for learning more about your G-spot are The Smart Girl’s Guide to the G-spot and Female Ejaculation and the G-spot and if you learn better with visuals the Expert Guide to the G-Spot by Tristan Taormino DVD or Maximizing G-Spot Pleasures DVD are great options.

Stimulating the G-Spot

Stimulating the G-spot is not like stimulating the clitoris, to fully enjoy the sensation of G-spot orgasm you need to press more firmly then you would for clitoral play and that can take some getting used to. Sometime when you are playing with your G-spot you can begin to feel like you need to go to the bathroom, this is not usually the case but to relieve your mind we recommend going to the bathroom before playtime. Begin by getting yourself aroused so the G-spot swells and then gently insert your fingers or a toy, curving upward and pushing firmly. Try stroking firmly with the “come hither” motion. Using firm toys such as the Tulip G, Chubby G or Lelo Gigi are fantastic for G-spot play because they allow you to press more firmly without much effort. Once you have become more familiar with your G-spot you may want to try a toy with a bit more flexibility such as the Fun Factory G-swirl, or Worm Vibrator that will provide you with a softer and more flexible G-spot stimulation.

Play and Experiment

With your G-spot stimulation you may find that you prefer different sensations over others, you may prefer a very firm solid sensation that can be achieved with the Masagi Glass Toy or to have it rhythmically stroked with a swooping sensation with a toy like the Rabbit Habit or Thrusting Hummingbird. You may enjoy having your clitoris stimulated at the same time, which can be achieved with dual action toys like the G-spot Rabbit or Fun Factory Paul and Paulina. Experimenting with different toys and sensations is a great way to learn your body and discover what is most enjoyable to achieving an internal G-spot orgasm for years to come.

Sharing your G-spot

G-spot stimulation does not need to only be a solo exercise, your partner would probably love to join in the fun and they can use their fingers or control a toy to help you achieve orgasmic bliss. Certain positions such as being penetrated by the rear or her on top can also help to achieve maximum G-spot sensation during intercourse. Using sex positions tools such as the Liberator Wedge and Ramp combo can help you to maintain certain G-spot friendly positions with ease. Great options to discovering positions to stimulate the G-spot during intercourse are The Expert Guide to Positions DVD and The Art of Sexual Positions DVD.
A new dual action toy called the We-vibe can be used during intercourse to stimulate the G-spot and clitoris simultaneously while also providing him with some well-deserved vibration sensation. Sharing this orgasm can help teach your partner more about your body and how you enjoy being touched and caressed.

Female Ejaculation

Many women ejaculate when their muscles contract during a G-spot orgasm. Firstly congratulations, you have found a new avenue of sexual pleasure, secondly do not freak out, this is a different fluid from urine and a completely natural and common occurrence amongst women. If you do not ejaculate there is nothing wrong either, sometimes having an object such as a toy can block the ejaculation from happening and you can do so after it has been removed, and sometimes women do not ejaculate. If you are one that ejaculates, using the Sex Blanket that is completely waterproof but soft and sumptuous, can keep you sheets clean and dry especially if you produce copious amounts of fluids.

Remember there is no right or wrong when exploring your body, what feels right is usually right!

New Years Resolution: Put yourself First…Female Masturbation

Masturbation is healthy. It has many emotional and physical benefits and best of all it feels good. So this year we should promote self awareness and discovery, both emotionally and physically. Start by taking your pleasure to new heights all by yourself, and you will find that by learning your body you will help both your relationship with yourself, but also with your partner.

Preparing yourself for Pleasure

There are many ways in which you can prepare yourself to give yourself pleasure, just as you would if you were preparing for a partner.

Make yourself feel sexy. Just as if you were getting ready for a hot date with your partner, preparing yourself for a fun evening home alone is also beneficial. Shaving and trimming your hair, from your legs to you pubic area will help make you feel beautiful, you feel sexy. Having a long and sensual bath to help yourself relax and enjoy your body is also and fun way to prepare for the bedroom.

Set up your room. Prepare the room in which you plan to enjoy yourself. Light your favorite scented candles and turn on some music, turn down the lights and put any toys, lubricant or erotic literature you plan to use within easy reach.

The best advice would be to be relaxed as you masturbate. Involve all parts of your body like the breasts and nipples. Become aware of how it feels to you so you can bring that feeling back or share it with your lover later. Don’t try to have an orgasm, just release yourself and enjoy your body. Give yourself permission to experience intense sexual pleasure.

Accessories: Toys, Books, DVDs

There is no right or wrong way to masturbate; as long as it feels good then it is good. Women can use anything from your fingertips to toys and anything from books to videos to enhance their pleasure.

Clitoral Vibrators: Vibrating toys are a fun and satisfying way to enhance your sensual pleasure. They help by providing the intense vibration externally to your clitoris and vulva area. This can help bring orgasm much quicker and with more intensity. Some popular clitoral vibrators are the Lelo Nea and the Fun Factory Layaspot. They have a great curve that fits nicely over the women’s pelvis and a variable speed button so you can choose the right intensity for you. Tease yourself at the low speed or fast and intense.

Internal Vibrator or Dildos: Dildos and vibrators that can be used internally as well as externally are especially fun and fulfilling. You can get the fullness and penetration from these toys or use them externally for clitoral stimulation. Dildos such as the Fun Factory Curve do not provide any vibration so it is often nice to add a clitoral vibrator like the simple Silver Bullet for external pleasure. Or use a dual action sex toy like the Rabbit Habit that provides both internal penetration as well as clitoral stimulation at the same time. Have you tried stimulating your G-spot? Customer favorites have been the Lelo Gigi or the G-spot E-glass. You don’t need to penetrate your vagina with toys but it may help, it is a personal preference.

Books and DVDs: Erotic literature and movies are sexy and exciting ways to rev your mind and body into thinking and feeling sensual and excited. Books such as The Mammoth Book of Erotica or Aqua Erotica are easy to read and provide an exciting array of fantasies to prime your mind into thinking sensually. Arousing the largest sexual organ-the brain; will arouse your body. Studies have shown women are just as aroused as men when it comes to watching erotic movies. You just need to do a bit of research as to which movies would be more appealing to you. There are plenty of X-rated films now directed by women for women.

Masturbation is meant to be a fun and enjoyable way of self discovery, free from guilt and worry. It is a healthy and beautiful way to enjoy yourself, and learn about your sensual body and all the orgasmic pleasures it can receive. This new communication with yourself is often helpful both in your sexual relationships but also in loving yourself more completely. So in 2009, love yourself and have fun doing it!