10 Sex Toys You Must Add to Your Box

Are you new to sex toys? Updating your collection for safer sex since most toys are now phthalate-free?
Or just want to add some exciting into your sex life with some new additions to your toy box?

Here are our top picks for the types of toys everyone should have. Most of these selections are phthalate free and easy to clean.

1. A classic, slimline vibrator – The Netbook of the sex toy world (because it’s versatile, convenient and easy-to-use — get it?) a classic slimline vibe is great for men or women, anal or vaginal pleasure. It’s perfect for beginners, but will promise years of pleasure for advanced enthusiasts, too. Why not pick up the Berman Intimate Basics Siena Slimline Massager?

2. Rabbit vibe - Popularized by Sex and the City, a “rabbit-style” vibrator promises the next level of pleasure. Rabbit vibes vary widely in their features, styles, shapes and functions, but most offer a “clit-tickler” for clitoral stimulation, a slightly curved head for g-spot stimulation, and a shaft with multiple functions of vibration and pulsation. I keep coming back to my favorite, the Decadent Indulgence 3.

3. Novelty vibrator - Sometimes, we all feel a little silly. That’s when it’s fun to break out I Rub My Duckie in one of his many variations. After all, sometimes good sex makes you giggle.

4. Discreet vibrator - Every lady needs a discreet mini vibe to get a little naughty on a date or for private pleasure at your fingertips any time. Slip this beauty in your handbag and find a little tension release after the big meeting. (Or before… just make sure you don’t leave any tell tale signs, like your skirt on backwards or an unusual flush to your cheeks.) Make the award-winning Lucid Dream #14 your choice to fulfill your daydreams.

5. Waterproof vibrator – Most vibrator styles typically come in waterproof variations, too. Personally, I lean toward waterproof vibes because they’re easy-to-clean and worry-free. Even if you have several non-waterproof vibes, you do want to have at least one high-powered waterproof vibe on-hand for bathtime play. Pick up this cotton candy vibrator for sweeter showers.

6. G-spot vibe - Whether the g-spot really exists or not, the pleasure these uniquely curved vibrators provide is no urban legend. If you don’t have a g-spot vibe, you may be tempted to experiment with all sorts of odd household objects (banana, anyone?) My money’s on “my first g-spot vibe” with its powerful pulsations to get the job done safely and hygienically every time.

7. Always-ready dildo - Batteries die. Vibes malfunction. Even the quietest vibes make some noise. When you want total convenience, ease-of-use, and purely silent operation (except for your moans, of course) you should always have a dildo on call. I like this hygienic glass chessman dong, which is phthalate-free (duh, it’s made of glass) and super-easy to clean.

8. Ben wa balls – I wasn’t a fan of ben wa balls until I started experimenting and really discovered what these ancient toys can do. Now, I recommend every lady adds a set to her collection of sex toys.  Try Fun Factory’s SmartBalls for a modern take on a legend.

9. A massager that really is a massager - The Hitachi Magic Wand started the trend of “personal massagers” with multiple attachments. The cool thing about these toys is they really are effective for massages anywhere. Great for releasing tension in your back and shoulders, the Mystic Wand is an amazing deal for the price, with three attachments including a very naughty dolphin!

10. The “I’d Be Mortified If Anyone Ever Found It” Vibe – Okay, so most people might be a little embarrassed if the cleaning lady stumbled upon even the most basic vibrator model. But I believe every lady needs a giant powered dildo like the All American Whopper with Balls. Even if you never use it, it’s a hoot to bring out at parties and whip drunk guests. (Did I just say too much?)

Hollywood Exhibit Celebrates Mainstreaming of Porn

I’m sitting here watching Lifetime’s The Secret Lives of Women. It is about swingers. Last week’s episode focused on prostitution. In the beginning of January, G4’s Attack of the Show team covered the Adult Entertainment Expo for the second year running, showcasing products such as the Boob bong on the air during prime time. Is porn really going mainstream?

My personal and professional opinion as an astute member of the media—both mainstream and erotic? Yes. And it has been for some time.

Is this a bad thing? Not for the millions of “mainstream” men and women looking to add some excitement into their love lives. I’m sure for every couple who might shake their heads in disgust – or at least say “not for me”—if they came across the Secret Lives of Women while channel surfing one night, just as many would be intrigued. They might not be ready to place an ad on Craigslist to find another couple to play with or call up her best friend for a ménage a trois, but the idea might spark an interesting conversation about fantasies and boundaries.

The trend has been going on for quite some time. We have multiple modern-day examples. My Bare Lady, a FOX series, focused on blossoming porn stars trying to make it big. The next year, Ron Jeremy was one of the stars in The Surreal Life.

More recently, the Sex and the City movie showed full frontal male nudity and still garnered a mere “R” rating. Years before, Carrie Bradshaw made talk of Rabbit vibes acceptable at the office water cooler. And let’s face it… the Internet makes porn accessible to anyone with a computer, Internet connection, and two fingers to type “tits” or “pussy.”

But the mainstreaming of porn pre-dates reality T.V. and the Internet, and a new exhibit at the World of Wonder’s storefront gallery in L.A. drives home the point. The exhibit “All-American Porn: 25 Years of Erotic Photography from Vivid Entertainment” opens February 14 with a Valentine’s Day cocktail party from 7PM – 11PM. Guests will be able to meet Vivid Girls and also enjoy a screening of excerpts from “Deeper Throat,” Vivid’s third premium cable TV series which debuts that evening.

On February 19, a free panel discussion hosted by World of Wonder co-founder Fenton Bailey explores topics such as: How Vivid became the world’s top adult studio offered by the company’s co-founder and co-chairman Steven Hirsch; How to direct an adult movie, presented by legendary director Paul Thomas; and What it takes to be an adult superstar with inside tips from Vivid Girls.

Vivid was the first company to bring porn into the mainstream, creating adult films with high product values and turning the performers into “stars” with the creation of the Vivid Girls. Since “Ginger” starring Ginger Lynn was released in 1984, the face of porn—at least as far as adult films went—changed. Explicit images on the front of VHS tapes gave way to artful photography of gorgeous women that—you guessed it—had mainstream appeal. Years later, Vivid was the first production company to offer titles targeted to couples.

So you could say porn’s been “mainstream” for more than a quarter of a century. But  what I find so ironic is that people who enjoy sex are not—and never were—freaks! In fact, I don’t think there’s anything not mainstream about buying a vibrator or reading a sex blog.

Although I write for Vibrator.com, love shopping for sex toys, and have had a few experiences swinging, I consider myself to be pretty “mainstream.” In a lot of ways, my love for science fiction is more “fringe” than my healthy sexual appetite. (Yes, another confession from Desiree Sweet: I’m a closet Trekkie!)

As a group, Americans have always been more conservative about sex and nudity than, say, Europeans. Maybe we’re just now catching up to the rest of the world.

What do you think? Is porn getting more and more mainstream or are Americans—perhaps with the exception of Facebook—just getting less uptight?

Sexual Problems Down Under?

In a recent post, I wrote about Everyday Turn-ons and mentioned the sexy things men do that have nothing to do with the deed.

It seems I wasn’t too far off the mark, and even have the backing of research professionals. Psychologist Professor Marita McCabe of Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, recently commented, “Washing dishes can be foreplay.”

McCabe was discussing the surprising findings of a new study of 400 Australian women. The study showed that most women don’t exhibit sexual desire until after sex has begun.

Additionally, 60 percent of women believe their libido is unusually low. If 60 percent believe their libidos are lagging, this actually puts them in the majority. McCabe, then, wants to re-define what is “normal” for a woman’s sex drive.

“[I]f you’re working hard, if you’ve got kids, if you haven’t got much family support, it’s not surprising you’re not interested in sex at that time,” she said in one article. Women shouldn’t compare their sex drives to those of women on television, she asserted.

McCabe also noted that lack of communication and consideration from their partners are big turn-offs for most women.

I find the research sad, but believable. We all know Sex & the City and Desperate Housewives are not reality TV. Nevertheless, I’m concerned by McCabe’s seemingly defeatist attitude. Even if the proverbial “everyone” is doing it (or not Doing It, as the case may be) does that make it right? Should women resign themselves to a lackluster sex life?

I have to respond with a lusty, “No!”

Many factors, including fatigue, stress, work and children, according to McCabe, work against us when it comes to satisfying sexual encounters.

With a newborn in the house, I certainly understand what it means to be “too tired for sex.” But a good roll in the hay has been shown to energize us, reduce stress and bring us closer to our partners, which is good for our relationship and our family life. Ironically, the answer to overcoming minor sexual obstacles may lie in having more sex.

If you’re not turned on until you’re actually in the moment, that’s okay, too. It’s like the holidays: we suffer through the preparations and dread the celebration, imagining the worst. But once we’re in the moment, we have a damn good time.

I urge women – in Australia and across the world – to consider the results of McCabe’s study and use the knowledge to strive for something better. Whether it’s through toys, fantasies or just better communication with your mate, you can create the sexual experience you want.

You can also participate in a follow-up study by McCabe and postgraduate student Denise Goldhammer by completing an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey takes about 30 to 45 minutes and can be an interesting exercise, prompting an unbiased evaluation of your sex life from the person who knows best what is normal for YOU. As you answer the questions, think about what you can do to improve your love relationship, what areas are lacking, and what works for you and your partner.

How about you, Vibrator.com visitors? Are you in the 60 percent majority with a low libido or would your thoughts and actions make Carrie Bradshaw blush?

Rabbit Vibrators: The Rolls Royce of the Vibrating World

Rabbit Vibrators are the “Rolls Royce” of the vibrating world according to Oprah–”O” Magazine, June 2008. Ever since that famous episode on “Sex and the City” when prudish Charlotte receives the Rabbit Habit from her friend Miranda and hides away for days with her new love addiction, Rabbit vibrators have grown in popularity and have become the best-selling type of vibrator in the world. This original Rabbit has spawned hundreds of similar rabbit vibrators, all varying in design and complexity, from those that flutter the clitoris with multiple speeds, to gyrating, pulsating, multi-functional, dual-action super-heroines designed to take you to ecstasy.

But, let’s back up a bit.

The original Rabbit vibrator was invented in Japan over 25 years ago. Back then it was taboo to depict phallic sex toys, so a Japanese sex toy designer came up with the idea of disguising their toys by creating animal caricatures to hide their intended function: masturbation. Soon, women the world over learned that these whimsical creatures were not only cute, but functional as well. So began the Rabbit vibrator craze that swept through women’s bedrooms faster than a bunny on steroids.

Today, there are literally hundreds of Rabbit vibrators (also known as dual-action vibes) to choose from with many complex functions including multiple speeds, multi-directional rotations, as well as gyrating, escalating, pulsating, waving and fluttering vibration options. This makes it very difficult to find the one that is right for you. So let’s take a moment to break down the components of these sex toys and explore their basic functions.

Rabbit Vibrators are comprised of several features:

All these features combined made for a super-heroine sex toy that works together simultaneously to pleasure women, giving them the most intense orgasms they have experienced in their life.

Types of Rabbits

Rabbit Habit and Rabbit Pearl

The Rabbit Habit and the Rabbit Pearl, made by Vibratex, are the two most famous Rabbits. Both have penetrating shafts, rotating beads at the base and vibrating clitoral bunny ears. The Rabbit Pearl is the #1 selling vibrator in America and features a rotating shaft that swerves around to hit the G-spot and the control panel power pack with sliding controls is attached via a wire. The Rabbit Habit is similar in function to the Rabbit Pearl, but has its control panel with sliding buttons attached at the base of the toy. The sliding controls on each toy allow you to control the functions of the shaft and bunny ears independently or simultaneously as well as controlling speed and intensity. These toys are made of phthalate-free elastomer.

Sue Johanson’s Rabbits

Sue Johanson is Canada’s foremost sex counselor and now has brought her show to American viewers on Talk Sex with Sue Johanson on Oxygen TV. Sue endorses few products and the Royal Surfer is one of those. The Royal Surfer features a dolphin, rather than a rabbit as the clitoral stimulator and is made of soft, non-porous silicone. The clitoral dolphin head flickers the clitoris in 3 speeds, while the shaft features wavy ridges and rotates forward and reverse. This toy is also waterproof. The Royal Wizard is a curvy vibrator, also made of silicone with a vibrating clitoral stimulator and a rotating shaft for G-spot stimulation. Also has 3 speeds and is waterproof.

Rock Your World

The Rock Your World rabbit vibrator features butterfly wings instead of the usual bunny ears which flutters the entire clitoral area and labia (no missing with this toy) and a bendable G-spot stimulation shaft that rotates and vibrates at the head. It also features tiny Elastomer ticklers from the top of the toy to its base that add extra internal sensations.

Decadent Indulgence 1 and 2

The Decadent Indulgence comes in original Decadent Indulgence and an expanded Decadent Indulgence 2. The original Decadent Indulgence has a thicker shaft that the second and large metal beads that rotate around, as well as a hummingbird clitoral stimulator that is very intense. The original also has a 5th control button that allows you to cycle through various functions including 3 clitoral patterns, shaft rotation and reverse as well as speeds. The Decadent Indulgence 2 has over 300 functions, a slightly slimmer shaft and bunny ears instead of a hummingbird. The 300 functions include 10 speeds, escalating functions, rotating beads, and adjustable internal and external speeds as well as a button to cycle through all the functions. Both toys are made from jelly.

Triple Treat Rabbit Vibrator

Now, if you want triple stimulation, then the Triple Treat Rabbit Vibrator is the rabbit for you. This toy has the usual vibrating shaft and vibrating clitoral stimulator, but has added an extra vibrating slim shaft for rear entry. So you can stimulate the vagina, clitoris and anus all at once.

The popularity of Rabbit Vibrators lies in their diversity, the multiple functions they offer, and the dual stimulation. Approximately 70% of women do not orgasm from vaginal penetration alone, which is why adding clitoral stimulation is important, especially for women who have trouble reaching orgasm which is about 20%. Dr. Laura Berman (Oprah’s sex therapist) from the Berman Center found in her study that approximately half of women aged 18-65 use or have used a vibrator which she says aids in better sexual functioning, heightened arousal, easier orgasms, and greater sexual satisfaction. So whether you are a sex toy virgin, or a connoisseur of sensual delights, a Rabbit Vibrator is sure to hit all the right spots and give you more intense orgasms.

Vibrator.com at the “Sex and the City” NYC Premiere

The New York premiere of “Sex and the City” took Radio City by storm last night. Not even the scattered showers deterred the die-hard fans and Carrie wanabees. Vibrator.com was there to capture the night in full.

From mid-morning, fans lined up outside of Radio City Music Hall to catch a glimpse of the “Sex” stars and claim their seat for this year’s most sought-after ticket. At one point, the line extended from 50th Street and 6th Avenue to 51st Street and 5th Avenue – an entire city block! Fans were dressed in their best evening attire and the sheer magnitude of the evening felt more like an awards show than a movie premiere. Thousands of Swarovski crystals adorned the pink carpet, and Vibrator.com stickers, t-shirts, and postcards (coincidently of the same color scheme) decorated the lapels and pockets of the masses.

Spokesmodels Desiree and Agathe worked the crowd, spreading a sex-positive message and introducing Vibrator.com to throngs of onlookers already familiar with vibrators like the Rabbit Pearl. While some mothers shielded their daughters’ eyes, many were receptive to Desiree and Agathe and happily accepted the swag. Others couldn’t get enough!

HOT 97 were there to catch Desiree ‘in the act’ with an interview on camera. We’ll be tracking down the footage to post whenever we can get our hands on it.

Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattral, and Sarah Jessica Parker arrived on the pink carpet for photo ops and to greet adoring fans. Celebrities and proud New York residents Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, Ashley Olsen, and Eli Manning all came out for the celebration.

Hundreds of general admission ticketholders were turned away as the 6000 seat Radio City Music Hall became full to capacity.

Two and a half hours later, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) hosted the premier’s afterparty, where countless A-list celebs gathered to party like they seem to do in Hollywood every other week. The “Sex and the City” series, and now the movie, depict an iconic New York in which an entire generation fantasized about living. While many of us could never afford an apartment like Carrie’s on a freelance writer’s salary, we can at least afford a movie ticket (and maybe some popcorn) when the film opens on Friday.

No Reason to Fear the Rabbit

With all their levels of vibration, rotation and escalation, not to mention more buttons than your boyfriend’s Xbox controller, many rabbit vibrators look intimidating to beginning toy users. The Decadent Indulgence 3, for instance, looks like something we use to control our home entertainment system!

Add to the control panel a thick shaft and…just what are those little tentacles sticking out, anyway? Those, my dear, are the key to the rabbit’s outstanding orgasm-inducing capabilities. (Well, those and the rotating pearls, but we’ll get to that later.)

The original rabbit vibe, the Vibratex Rabbit Pearl, was designed in Japan less than two decades ago, and popularized on HBO’s Sex and the City. The clitoral stimulator is actually in the shape of a rabbit with slim ears that vibrate to tickle the clit in pleasing ways.

Rabbit vibes are designed for dual stimulation—triple if you count the beads that, along with the realistic-shaped staff, stimulate the vagina.

Insert the shaft with the rabbit ears positioned on your clit, turn it on, and you’re ready to go! If your lover has ever rubbed your clit during penetration, then you have an idea what to expect from a rabbit vibe. (See? Not scary at all!)

If you flip the rabbit vibe around, the clit stimulators can provide intense anal pleasure, instead. (Remember to clean the vibrator well before switching from anal to vaginal stimulation, or before sharing your vibe with a friend!)

Many rabbits, such as the Pearl Lotus, feature independent controls for the shaft and rabbit ears. It can be fun to bring yourself to the brink of orgasm and then quickly switch stimulation. By timing this right, you can have a simultaneous vaginal (or g-spot) and clitoral orgasm, sending waves of pleasure coursing through your body for minutes at a time.

Like many styles of sex toy, rabbit vibes have evolved over the years and now come with remote control operation, in waterproof models, and with multiple speeds of vibration. Some, like the Doc Johnson’s colorful iVibe rabbit, even feature a shaft that rotates for unique sensations. While this is not exactly a “natural” motion, you’ll enjoy the feel of the soft, smooth material on all walls of your vagina.
Some feature simple twist-cap controls, while others, like the Decadent Indulgence series, offer push-button operation with independent controls for multiple levels of vibration, and even reversible rotation. You’re sure to have hours of fun experimenting until you find your favorite settings and combinations. Or you can stick to the basics with a vibrating shaft and bunny ears.

Like most vibrators, rabbits come in a variety of lengths and girths–some have curved shafts for better g-spot pleasure, while many are designed with realistic-looking heads. Whatever your choice, expect to achieve a more intense orgasm faster than you ever dreamed possible with the dual stimulation action of a rabbit.