Good Vibrations

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Vibrators

A vibrator moves faster and for longer than any part of the human body and its this fabulous intensity than makes a vibe a puurfect plaything for adding extra stimulation during sex. Invented as medical instrument to "cure" hysteria, vibrators have been giving women orgasms - or "hysterical paroxysm" - since Victorian times.

A huge number of women have their first orgasm with a vibrator and for many a powered-up vibe equals guaranteed orgasms. If you find orgasms tricky or illusive, a vibrator is likely to help.

Many people assume the way to use a vibrator is to put it inside, but actually the majority of women, around 80%, use theirs solely for clitoral pleasuring.

Direct clit-stimulation can feel way too much; imagine the clit the clit as a clock face and focus on 10 to 2. Vibrators made from hard plastic generally deliver pretty intense stimulation whereas softer materials tend to absorb some of the intensity and provide milder stimulation. By the same token, softer vibrators are usually quieter.

Jelly sex toys have raised health concerns because of the chemicals in them so always cover these with a condom. Better still, plump for silicone which is the safest, soft sex toy material around.

Dildos

A dildo is chiefly a penetrative toy designed to give filled-up feelings of pleasure. A classical sex toy in every sense: Dildos feature in ancient art, classical Greek theatre and the Kama Sutra, and the word "dildo" is believed to come from the Latin for "wide-open" or the Italian for "delight".

Size is the most crucial factor when choosing dildo with WIDTH more important than LENGTH. Remember you can always control how deep you go, but a dildo that is too wide will be nobody's idea of fun.

During arousal, a woman's vagina balloons, making her more receptive to larger playthings so it's worth doing some homework during sex. Focus on how many fingers feel good when you're really turned on.

Feel like raiding the veggie rack? Do it! Gathering as much info as impossible for your prefect dildo dimensions before going shopping means you're less likely to get carried away and more likely to be satisfied!

Dildos come in many different materials and each has its own advantages:

  • Glass is heat-responsive, unbelievably slidey and G-spots love the firmness.
  • Wood is warm and eco-friendly.
  • Latex and Jelly dildos are cheap making them great if you are unsure, (though you will have to invest in condoms for them).
  • But by far the best is silicone - soft & velvety smooth to the touch, super-safe and very easy to clean.

Strap Ons

A dildo slipped into a harness and worn on the body is a "strap-on" and a great erotic toy for any couple who enjoy penetrative sex together.

Strapping a dildo to your crotch (with a hip harness) or to your leg (thigh harness) leaves your hands free to stroke, tweak or delve elsewhere. Strap-on sex can also open up whole new worlds of erotic possibility, whether role-playing fantasy, imaginative new positions or enticing visuals.

Different dildo lengths lend themselves to different positions: Shorter dildos, 4" or less, work best for grinding together, whereas longer dildos, 6" or more, are better for stroking in and out.

Double Dildos

Traditional style double dildos are extra-long with a dildo each for lovers to enjoy, whether vaginally and / or anally. To play, you lie, sit facing or back up to each other with your genitals close together and share the dildo between yourselves in a pull-me / push-me motion.

Double dildos offer great voyeuristic potential and can feel intimately close as you share the same activity & sensations as your lover.

The downside is they can be tricky to coordinate. Newer-style Double Dildos are U-shaped, designed to be worn and operated by one lover, so the sensations are more like conventional strap on sex without the harness. These strapless double dildos offer really close, body-to-body contact and lend themselves better to grinding rather than deep thrusting.

Ass toys

The ass is rich in super-sensitive nerve endings and there are lots of toys to explore these sensations; anal beads provide deliciously repetitive pleasure; anal vibes deliver waves of trembly delight; butt plugs are designed to be "worn" for sensations of fullness and pressure.

Any toy that's bum-bound must be slathered in lube AND have a flared-base to stop it slipping inside and getting lost.

Lube

A true bedroom essential and probably the best, most liberating sex in the world. It enhances every sexual experience by reducing friction and making moves sensually smooth.