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Sex Toy Materials vs Lube

sex toy 101

Going into buying sex toys can be scary enough if you’ve never gone into a sex shop (it shouldn’t be, all workers at the best adult shops in Sydney are amazing, helpful, open minded, and just want you to have good orgasms), and then when faced with all the choices of lubes it can be overwhelming, not knowing what’s safe with what is another hurdle, so here are the common materials and what they can be used with, with the added bonus of how they should be stored and cleaned!

You would be amazed what are the most popular sex toys in Australia!

Silicone – smooth, no real smell or taste, some with a silky finish. Medical grade silicone is body-safe and is 100% hypoallergenic with no latex or phthalate.
Lubes: safe with water-based, oil-based, and hybrid lubes. (Extremely high quality is safe with silicone lube, Colours triple density dongs are safe.)
Cleaning: 100% silicone can be boiled, others should be washed with a toy cleaner!

Glass – most are made from the same glass as Pyrex, they are heat resistant and shatterproof. They are smooth and sturdy and perfect for temperature play. Glass is incredibly skin safe but be sure to check for cracks and fractures before each used!
Lube: Glass is safe with all lubes.
Cleaning: Can be washed with toy cleaner and water, or even thrown in the dishwasher, or boiled.

Plastic – most commonly made with ABS (the same material as LEGO), used for it’s cheap production value, these toys may be blended with latex. These are hard with no distinct smell or taste. Generally a skin safe material but could be blended with phthalates and latex, which are common allergens and harmful to skin.
Lubes: safe to use with all lube types
Cleaning: can be cleaned with sex toy cleaner, anti-bacterial soap and water, or through boiling.

PVC – man made plastic, can be hard or more flexible, has an intense plastic smell and more often than not contains phthalates and latex so isn’t the most body-safe option in the world.
Lubes: this material should be used with water-based lubes only, as oil and silicone can melt the material.
Cleaning: rigid PVC is non-porous and very easy to clean, flexible PVC can be porous so may be harder to clean. Store these toys away from other materials and preferably in their own casing to avoid chemical reactions and damage to toys.

TPE – the material used to create Real Feel, Cyberskin, Softskin, or Ultraskin. Frequently used for male masturbators. Realistically fleshlike, warms to the touch, incredibly flexible, due to it’s softness it isn’t a great option for vibrators as it can weaken vibrations. Can tend to have a rubbery smell and taste. TPE is non-toxic but is porous so it’s prone to bacterial growth, and can be mixed with product softeners which can be allergens.
Lubes: use water-based only with this material.
Cleaning: as this is a porous material it can be hard to clean, best to use just water and a toy cleaner.
This should be kept away from other toys in storage to be on the safe side. Any discolouration can be a sign of growing mould in the pores of the material, so throw it away. These toys should be replaced every 5 months.

Metal – usually made from medical grade stainless steel, they can occasionally be mixed with other metals (such as nickel WHICH SOME PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC TO), so be sure to check this. These toys are rigid and smooth but perfect for temperature play, higher densities are good for weighted and pressure play.
Lubes: all lubes are safe to be used with metal! 😊
Cleaning: this is a non-porous material which makes cleaning a breeze, toy cleaner, soap, dishwasher, or boiling all work.

Wood – if made correctly these toys are beautifully smooth with a non-toxic resin coating to prevent splinters. The weight and look will depend on what kind of wood was used to create the toy. If made correctly these toys are super body safe and environmentally friendly. Some manufacturers use scrap wood which is great for conserving rainforests.
Lubes: wood is safe with all lubes, due to it’s smooth finish you only need a small amount.
Cleaning: best washed with just water to prolong life, be sure to check for any damage before and after each use.

Rubber – one of the cheapest materials, will be flexible with a very strong rubber smell and chemical taste. To ensure body safety it is strongly recommended to use a condom with rubber toys as they often contain phthalates which can be harmful to the skin. (They have produced body safe rubber recently but it is not widespread).
Lubes: best used with just water-based, however if using a condom with rubber silicone is okay to be used.
Cleaning: best washed with soap and water and stored away from other materials, just to avoid chemical reaction with other toys.

 

My personal favourite lube is the Wicked Hybrid as it’s super vagina friendly and can be used with most toy materials out there, it has the benefits of the longevity and silkiness of a silicone lube, but the easy cleanup of a water-based!

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Sex Toys That You Will Want For Christmas

Xmas sex

With Christmas just around the corner, you may be looking for some presents for your partner, whilst jewellery or the latest games console are good fall back presents, what if you want something to help with your intimacy?

In any case, sex toys are a sure fire way to bring a bit more fun or spice into your sex life, then sex toys are the way to go.

As a generation, we are much more open to talking about sex than every before, and sex shops are no longer called ‘private shops’ they are well known brands, with store fronts on most high streets.

However, sex toys remain something that many people are embarrassed about, so let’s go through some tips on buying the right sex toy for you and your partner.

 

Talk To Your Partner

The best thing you can do when thinking about adding sex toys into your life, is to have an open conversation with your partner about what you both like, and what you’d be open to.

This doesn’t have to be an in-depth, therapist type conversation, but it should be as open as you can be, with some discussion about what you both would like.

Sure, it can feel a little embarrassing, but the more you talk about it, the less embarrassed you will be, and you will find yourself enjoying sex even more – if that’s possible!

 

Solo Toys For Women

You may want to start looking at some solo toys to give to your partner, for the times that they are alone, and want to have some fun.

There are so many different types of toys out there that it can be a little confusing.

Some of the more well known toys are the rabbit type vibrators, which are penetration devices, with different vibration speeds and those well known rabbit ears for clitoral stimulation. These toys are the classic ones, and were probably the first sex toy to become fashionable and start people having more honest conversations about sex.

The massager wand type is another classic, beloved by many women around the world. This toy however, is not suited to everyone, as it can be a bit more on the forceful side, so choose the model with care.

There are so many newer types on the market now, including some which even claim to imitate oral sex, the Lelo Ora 3 review gives a good overview on this highly praised toy.

There are different types of clitoral stimulators available that work in different ways, such as the bullet types, some of which come in waterproof varieties.

 

Solo Toys For Men

If you are looking for a solo toy to give to that special man in your life, there are many options too for them.

The most well known solo male toy is probably the fleshlight. These toys have played their part in  making male sex toys less taboo, but they are falling out of fashion now, in their place are the far more discreet and just as pleasurable newer designs of mastrubation sleeves.

Cock rings are available in many different varieties. These can be used solo, to provide extra vibration, or when with a partner, as they are bound to enjoy the vibrations too!

Prostate massagers are also very popular these days, and many come with a remote control to allow you to fully enjoy a solo experience.

Butt plugs are another classic, and much safer than inserting a non-sex toy into this are – always use a flared base! Butt plugs have also expanded their varieties. The bog standard ones are still available of course – everyone loves a classic. But, newer vibrating designs are available, some with a remote control to make everything a lot easier.

 

Toys For Couples

Many of the toys we have already gone through can also be used with your chosen partner, or partners, but there are some toys that are specifically geared towards couples.

We have already discussed vibrating cock rings, that give pleasure to both parties.There are also some toys that can be used whilst giving or reciveing a oral sex, such as the BlowYo which is a silicone ring that covers the bottom portion of the penis, that makes oral sex feel much more, well, orgasmic.

The WeVibe, and it’s imitators, is a toy beloved by couples. One end rests against the clitoris, whilst the other inserts into the vagina providing G-spot stimulation, as well as vibrating against the penis shaft.

If you are away from your partner, there are even toys that can be controlled via an app, so that you can come together even when you’re apart.

Whichever toy you decide to go for, remember to be safe and enjoy yourself, and always discuss consent.

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OnlyFans GigiRose Favorite Bondage Brands

Scandal Bondage

I love being tied up and spanked as much as the next person, however through this adventure of finding my love for all things bondage I’ve struggled to find things that are both durable and sturdy, yet dainty and pretty.

I’m personally a 4’11 woman, so heavy duty thick collars and cuffs just don’t work for me, while they might be strong they usually overtake my body parts leaving me with no wrists and worse – no neck! Which might work for some people but I love to still look and feel sexy while being dominated. This has taken so long to find, usually if things are dainty and pretty they’re not heavy duty and vice versa. The few times you find something dainty but strong it’s probably pink… One of my least favourite colours, which has made my love for bondage hard!

That was until I found this brand:

Scandal is stunning, it uses absolutely beautiful materials while still having that durability you need to get hard and rough. All products are made with the same beautiful red and black designer fabric on the outside, while the inside is this soft and plushie material. You can still feel sexy and luxurious while getting your BDSM fill however you like.

 

Now onto the best part, MY FAVOURITES! We’re going to go from least favourite to #1 favourite, but remember, even my least favourites are the best thing I’ve ever tried!

 

Scandal Bondage Bar

I’ll be honest, this one would be higher on my list because it is beautifully made… But the positions you need to be in for this one just DO NOT work with my body. It doesn’t make me feel sexy, unless the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is your type, in which case I am the sexiest woman you’ll ever meet bent over in this bad boy. It puts you in the ultimate position as a sub, with all your most sensitive spots on display.

The bar has Velcro cuffs meaning they’re fully adjustable and will fit almost any set of wrists and ankles you put in them, and the bar itself is fully collapsible. This means it’s easy to hide and even easier to travel with!

Scandal BDSM Rope

This rope is beautifully made, using cotton and polyester, it has the most beautiful shine when used for photos but is made strong so you can use it to tie up your submissive or be tied by your dom and the rope won’t be stretching out under pressure. Now I don’t know many people with weird allergies like myself, but I’m allergic to nickel and surprisingly enough the more you look into it the more sex toys have this included in them! However, the caps on this rope have no traces of that in them, which makes my life MUCH better!

 

Scandal Breathable Ballgag to Cuffs

This… This is an absolute work of art, the only reason these aren’t higher is because I haven’t gotten to use them with someone yet and putting them on yourself and taking photos of it for Onlyfans is a nightmare, I imagine they’re much easier to use when put on by someone else. Anyway the stunning design on these matches with everything else in the collection and has the plush material on the inside too so no matter how much you struggle against them in your fits of pleasure they won’t hurt (I know this is a downer for some, but for others like me it’s a plus!). These are also Velcro so fully adjustable in all areas, the back strap is able to be tightened or loosened as necessary. Fun fact you can also remove the cuffs to be used on their own or will or items (possibly the Scandal Spreader Bar 😉).

 

Scandal Paddle

A simple paddle, you can’t go wrong with this purchase honestly. With it’s stunning designer fabric and the fluffly soft material you get a solid thud, and a mark but still have comfort if you’re not trying to go too crazy or you’re just dipping your toe in for the night. I’m not sure how you could mess up the design of a paddle but Scandal has absolutely knocked it out of the park. I am in love!

 

 

Scandal Collar with Leash

Now this, ladies, gentleman, and my non-binary friends, this is my all time favourite. The struggles of being small and wanting my own collar and leash has been rough. Every time I’ve found something I’ve liked it’s been thick and bulky, or just too large for my neck, or pink. This collar is perfectly sized so it doesn’t take over my whole neck while still being a strong and sturdy collar. The leash it comes with is made of beautiful black chain and the handle for it matches the collar and the rest of the collection. It’s the dream collar I’ve always yearned for.

 

So with this I say, if you want a collection that matches, love black and red, love your bondage but want your gear to be beautiful and comfortable in all the right ways do yourself a favour and stock up on Scandal, it truly is a brilliant addition to any kit!

 

Pick these up at your local friendly Oh Zone Adult Stores.

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ARCWAVE Ion is here: What is it?

ion arcwave

It seems like just this week we were discussing the impending release of WOW Tech’s (We-Vibe, Womanizer, Pjur) newest brand line, ARCWAVE. What’s that? It was this week? Time flies when you’re waiting on new sex toys! As I was browsing the interwebs hoping to find different information about the impending release of anything ARCWAVE, I decided to check out their website once again. A new layout, an inverted colour scheme, and something called the Ion were staring me down. New stuff! Let’s discuss!

 

Wait, what happened?

So, we’ve got the first release. The Ion, seemingly the first of a few new toys, is not your average masturbator. Before we discuss what it is, let’s talk about what it isn’t. In my previous article, ARCWAVE – Why You Should Be Excited, we had a few hopes and dreams for this line. What the Ion reveals is that I was off with a few things, but on with a few. The Ion doesn’t seem to support any sort of phone connectivity, which was something I assumed would be standard on this new line. I’ll be totally honest, this caught me off guard; why would you take a step backwards? The entire current We-Vibe line, barring 2 toys, are compatible with the WeConnect app. While Womanizer toys aren’t compatible with any sort of app, this often comes off as a weakness; more and more couples are desiring that internet-interconnectivity, and for ARCWAVE to skip out on it seems like a mistake. However, there might be more to this toy, as although accessories are available for purchase, the toy is not. Are there more updates coming? Assuming there are more toys on their way, it only seems right! Considering we saw app connectivity in the trailer (we broke-down the trailer in that article I linked earlier), it might just be a feature we haven’t seen yet. 

 

So what IS the Ion?

Think the ever famous Womanizer Premium for PH’s! (Just read the damn article). The joys of sharing a parent company with Womanizer means you can use their amazing technology for anything! Touting PleasureAir Technology right on the frenulum (or banjo string, if you prefer), the Ion focuses it’s faux-vibrations on “The Right Nerve Every Time” and says the impending orgasm will be “The Closest Thing to a Female Orgasm for Men”. While I would be hard pressed to explain the toy better than ARCWAVE can (check out their website here), it seems I was off base in assuming these toys would be the We-Vibe equivalent for men. These toys are going to be more like the Womanizer line, and for that, I am VERY excited.

 

The toy draws a few similarities to some other toys in the “Guybrator” market. First off, just as I mentioned in my original article, the JETT by Hot Octopuss has definitely been looked at, but for this toy, it’s for different reasons. The JETT focuses on the frenulum, just as the Ion does. I originally assumed the sonic capabilities of the JETT were being explored, and while that hasn’t been ruled out, this toy plays with the frenulum. Keep your eyes peeled for those sonic sensations, though! The other thing the Ion reminds me of is the Cobra Libre from Fun Factory. Advertised as a penis head toy, this “Guybrator” is not meant to be thrust into while being used, similar to the Ion. Using vibrations as opposed to the PleasureAir tech, it’s not a spitting image, but they’re pretty similar in a few ways. They’re both waterproof, they’re both static use toys, and they’re both pretty freakin awesome. 

 

What impresses me most?

I’ll go on record in saying that a major selling point for the We-Vibe Chorus is the discreet charging/travel case. The stunning charging case the Ion touts is going to be a major factor in destigmatising the sex toys for male use. It’s sleek, sexy, subtle, and could be mistaken for a luxury car part. They clearly talked with their target audience here, and props to WOW Tech for listening. The concept of the case isn’t the only impressive part about it, either. It features a “DryTech” stick to wick away any moisture that would remain after cleaning. Utilising silica gel (those little DO NOT EAT beads you get in bags & boxes) to keep things dry, and a ventilated lid to keep things fresh, means your toy, cleaning pertaining, is going to stay fresher for longer. There’s also seemingly some pretty impressive silicone based technology going on, but I’ll leave you to discover that on the beautiful ARCWAVE website yourself.

 

Final Thoughts

I know it’s just the first toy of the line, but I’m super excited. The innovation we’ve already seen with the Ion will hopefully just be expanded upon with upcoming toys. I’ll be sure to continue with the updates as each new toy comes out, so expect further updates right here on AdultSmart.com.au! Hopefully we’ll have these toys in store soon, so also swing by Oh!Zone Adult Stores in Caringbah & Penrith to see if they’ve made their landing in Australia. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for more ARCWAVE updates, and stay keen for the men’s toy revolution!

 

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ARCWAVE – Why You Should Be Excited

arc wave

We-Vibe is an ever popular name in the sex toy industry. A leader in teledildonics, which unfortunately isn’t telepathically controlled sex machines, but rather wireless connections to partners wherever you may be, We-Vibe has lead the charge with some industry breaking toys. From the original “We-Vibe” (yep, the toy was just the companies name) to their best selling & award winning We-Vibe Chorus, We-Vibe and WOW Tech, the parent company of We-Vibe, have been doing some pretty phenomenal things when it comes to the wonderful world of sex toys. However, on the WOW Tech website, an interesting new character has appeared. Should you find yourself on the company website, give the “Brands” page a look, and discover a brand new sleek logo & website under the name “ARCWAVE” down the very bottom of the list. The website, although only containing a teaser trailer for a line of four toys, is incredibly intriguing; what could these toys be? How much will these toys utilise their already phenomenal technology? Let’s discuss a few places these toys may be going, and get our foot in the door with what might be the highest quality male toys to hit the market in a long time.

 

In the 1:17 long teaser trailer ARCWAVE has released, very little information was actually given about what the toys could be. WOW Tech are known for their groundbreaking & trendsetting technology: AirPleasure from Womanizer, setting the market for wearables with We-Vibe, incredible phone connectivity, are just some of their industry leading innovations. The first few lines of the trailer are:

 

“Here’s to the men. It’s time for a cultural change. ARCWAVE leads the way, and redefines a whole category.”

 

From just the first 15 seconds, we’ve got a fair bit of information. These toys are for the people with penises. Not everybody that has a penis is a man, so I’ll generalise this audience as penis-havers, or PH’s. This will be the first line from WOW Tech accommodating just men; We-Vibe is mostly gender neutral – with cockrings, g-spot vibrators, bullets, plugs, prostate massagers, clit toys, the works. Womanizer is vaginally centred, with their toys only accommodating for VH’s (surely I don’t need to explain this one). ARCWAVE will most likely be the Womanizer equivalent for PH’s, which in of itself is an incredibly promising idea. Womanizer has garnered some pretty incredible reviews over the years, and selling Womanizer toys has made me pretty envious of some of the responses we’ve been getting from these toys. “Cultural change” probably refers to the stigma around male sex toys – Fleshlights and masturbators are still perceived as pretty crude – and to be totally fair, a lot of them are. A lot of toy descriptions are pretty poor when it comes to the whole “treating women like real people” side of things, and innovations from a leading company would definitely put masturbators on a lot more peoples maps. Sleek, sexy, subtle designs? Masturbators marketed like luxury cars? Perfect for breaking down pre-conceived notions about sex toys. “Redefines a whole category”? We’ll see!

 

The trailer continues.

 

“It’s about adding a new spark to men’s masturbation and making smart devices a natural part of our sexual lives.”

 

While the products will speak for the “new spark” side of things, “making smart devices a natural part of our sexual lives” is what WOW Tech has been doing best. I’ll try to avoid pumping the tyres of WOW Tech too much – they don’t pay me (yet?) – but they’re some of the highest quality sex toys on the market, and they’re already some pretty smart devices. During this line, however, we catch our first glimpse at an actual product shot. At the 0:23 mark, we’re greeted by an app; the ARCWAVE logo sitting at the top of the app interface. 

We see 3 dots (we’ll come back to them), and some text towards the bottom of the UI. It took some squinting, but what I understand that to say, is a measurement of hertz and megahertz. This EXCITED me. The first thing I could relate this sort of technology to was the JETT from Hot Octopuss. The JETT utilises 2 bullets, one treble & one bass, to “Find your Frequency” and utilise the impressive sonic capabilities of treble & bass to bring you to a, supposedly, hands free orgasm! The ARCWAVE toy seems a little different, however. On the screen, we can see three dots – and while the UI towards the bottom only shows MED (medium) and HIGH (I don’t need to explain this one, either), we can safely assume there’s also a LOW (I think I use parenthesis too much), as well, taking the technology of Hot Octopuss a step further. The other interesting thing about this shot? 

Just a few frames later, the app is interacted with, and seemingly corresponding lights reflect an increase in power. Instant connectivity from phone to toy? How very We-Vibe of you, ARCWAVE! What intrigues me most about this is the fact that the JETT is just a cock ring. They market it as a “Guybrator”, but it’s also a ring that fits around a penis and vibrates. Sounds quite cock-ring-y to me. The ARCWAVE toy, however, seems like a fully fledged masturbator utilising some pretty phenomenal technology. I’m excited, that’s for sure. 

 

The phone connectivity begs a few questions, however. To what extent did they develop this? We-Vibes have become notorious for connecting long-distance couples, with their worldwide app connectability, but is ARCWAVE going to do the same? If these are masturbators that aren’t under the We-Vibe name, will they be compatible with the We-Vibe app so that partners from across the world can both experience their toys to the fullest? Assumedly not, which might be a misstep in connecting the WOW Tech Ecosystem. And similarly, toys prior to the We-Vibe Chorus had some pretty shoddy phone connectivity. Both the Chorus and the ARCWAVE line were announced in October 2019, and while the Chorus was released only months later, the We-Vibe wand was released at the same time, and doesn’t feature the upgraded phone connection through ANKORLINK. Will the ARCWAVE line include this improved connection? Only time will tell.

 

As the trailer continues, there are some more vague product shots that unfortunately don’t give us any ideas as to what to expect, but there are some general hints here and there. At the 0:33 mark, we’re given a splitscreen of smashed ice and fire. My speculative eye makes me think we’re getting some sort of temperature play toy in this line, and that’s pretty damn impressive. We’ve seen plenty of heating toys – they’re pretty common – but toys that can cool themselves? That’s new! Obviously cooling lube exists, but built right into the toy? That’s going to be a sight to behold. Now, this shot could very well just be stock footage ARCWAVE threw in to make this trailer seem wicked, as that’s seemingly most of the trailer, but I’d hope a few hints were dropped throughout the video to reward those with a keen eye (or maybe just too much time on their hands). 

 

At 0:40, we’re given a look at what seems like one of the masturbators in this line. This one, in particular, reminds me of a KIIROO toy. For those unaware, KIIROO is a company that specialises in long distance toys and teledildonics. I wrote about their Onyx 2 & Pearl 2 in a past article, and while there was a bit to be desired with those toys, they definitely had the right idea. Those toys could be connected to videos, partners, and animations, and synced up the action on the video to the action on your bits. Similarly, SenseMax’s SenseTube also forayed into the digital/physical masturbator realm, with questionable success levels, but A+ for effort. Is there going to be a similar theme with long distance Toy2Toy pairing? In the past, We-Vibe toy connectivity has been app only, meaning partners could control eachothers toy with a simultaneous app connection, but no feedback from the toy could be send to the other toy, unlike the KIIROO line. But with the addition of Chorus’s TouchSense, allowing for intra-toy feedback, could we see something expanded in the ARCWAVE line?

 

Something to note is the heavy water imagery in the trailer. Waterproofing is usually a given with WOW Tech, as every toy currently in their lines is waterproof, but could we see something like the PDX Hydrobater? For those unaware, the Hydrobater is used underwater, and rushes water past the penis, as if Poseidon himself was getting down & dirty with humans. By all accounts, the Hydrobater is phenomenal, and something out of left field like that definitely wouldn’t be out of the question for a company known for taking a chance that pays its dividends tenfold.

 

A few smaller things I noticed that didn’t deserve a full paragraph would be:

  • There seems to be what looks like speaker holes/meshing on the base (or top?) of one (or some) of the toys in the line. Could they be taking a page from Svakom’s book and including sounds built into the toy?
  • Although it makes sense to include imagery of scantily clad women in the ad, would this also imply that inter-toy connectivity we desired?
  • A lot of the imagery seems to be derived from Hot Octopuss, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of similarities between lines. The Hot Octopuss Pulse line of “Guybrators” has been doing phenomenally. Do we see a similar toy here?
  • The toy was announced in October 2019, with an early 2020 release expected. As this article is released, it’s September 2020, and the website has remained seemingly untouched since the release trailer was dropped. Should we expect a 2021 release instead?

 

In conclusion, Lovsense ARCWAVE seems incredibly promising. I’m excited, and I’m sure everyone else who has been a fan of WOW Tech toys would be too, but due to the seemingly heavy delays, and lack of updates throughout a whole year, I worry about the release of this line. However, I’m yet to be disappointed by WOW Tech, and while weary, I’m still hopeful that this will genuinely be a revolution in the male sex toy world. Here’s to hoping the ARCWAVE line is released soon, and exceeds every expectation we could ever have!  We will be the first to have them on board at the Oh Zone Adult Stores.