Image: Energy Arc, central electrode of a plasma lamp – Piccolo Namek, via Wikimedia Commons

Growing up in a country known for its agrarian-based economy, I learned pretty early on that touching an electric fence was not a good idea. At the age of six, the jolt I experienced upon touching a live wire (of sufficient strength to keep Black Angus bulls contained in the appropriate paddock) was not only enough to make me dance and hop about like I was standing on hot coals, it also instilled a healthy respect for electricity and electrical devices in general.

I was the kid who was too frightened to touch the metal edge of the trampoline for fear of receiving a static shock.

I was the kid who was too terrified to touch the plasma globe at the local science show for fear of the unpleasant sensations it might generate.

So how on earth, you might ask, did I become interested in violet wands? Or, more accurately, how did I become interested in having one used on me?

Well, that’s the funny thing about kinks and, really, sex in general. Over time, as you explore your own personal hot buttons, become more comfortable with what they are and how they make you feel, it’s entirely possible for them to morph and change. Open up doors to places you may never have thought you’d venture. And suddenly, you find yourself peeping into a room full of possibility that, mere months before, you’d have locked up tighter than a prison cell.

But that doesn’t really answer my question, does it?

I’d have to credit my initial curiosity to a select group of electrical play scenes described in fictional texts. Inexplicably, and despite my previously described feelings about electricity, certain extracts evoked a response that I would, previously, have thought impossible. None of these situations described the use of a violet wand as punishment, although I appreciate that others might use them in this way (with the consent of the person being punished, of course). Rather, they were contextualised within exploratory and sensual parameters, with the wand being seen very much as a tool to heighten both erotic discovery and evoke feelings of deeper submission and trust. Take, for example, this extract from Maren Smith’s erotic romance Kaylee’s Keeper:

‘“At the first snap and subsequent buzz, she jerked back, but almost immediately reached again. Tap, flinch. Tap-tap, flinch. She spread her wildly buzzing fingers out and finally just let it chew its blue lines all over her shaking palm.”

.

.

.

“Are you reading to trust me?”

Trembling, she nodded.

He smiled again, and oh, how that look made her feel. Like his praise, his softly uttered ‘good girls’ bolstered her and helped to keep her fear in check while he lay her back on the coffee table and began to strap her down.’

You may say at this point, ‘Well, that’s all very well, Jane, but you realise that fiction is exactly that – fiction. And what occurs on the pages of a book can not, and should not, be used as a guide to real-life experience.’ And I would say ‘yes, you’re right – to a certain extent’. Because, ultimately, books are about gaining power through knowledge. Would I read an article on mountaineering and them immediately set off to conquer Everest? No. I would not. But I might find that article interesting enough to make some tentative enquiries down at the local alpine club and ask if I could come in and talk to someone a bit more about it before signing myself up for a beginners’ course.

And that’s what happened with my burgeoning interest in violet wands. I Googled. I read some non-fiction articles about them. I confessed my interest to my other half. And then I attended the London Alternative Market and allowed someone experienced in operating one to show me what they feel like. (More information on that experience in my next Violet Wand Diaries post.)

Of all the things M and I have played with to-date, the violet wand has been the trickiest to master; because of the way it’s designed, the degree of variation in the sensations it can generate is significant – hence the idea for this post series. Bluntly, we haven’t fully gotten to grips with our latest toy box acquisition (even though we both understand its potential) and I thought it would be useful to chronicle our progress and our learning curve.

Stay tuned for part two …

The post The Violet Wand Diaries: Part One appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

So it’s busy silence. Honestly!

Jane
xxx

The post Silence appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Image: Lupa – Julo (own work)

Since July of last year:

• Thirty-five book reviews.
• Fourteen Garden of Earthly Delights episodes [*please note these are no longer available on the blog].
• Three five-minute erotica stories.
• Twenty-eight sex toy reviews and countless other sex toy references.

As I’ve added more and more reviews and articles to Chintz, I’ve become increasingly aware that it’s more difficult for visitors to find what they want quickly. Chances are, if you’re diving into the Toy Box or Words sections, you want to know what’s in them without having to scroll through all the pages.

Behold.

Two hyperlinked lists to make your Chintz navigation life easier: the Toy Box Index and the Words Index.

You can find the relevant links to them at the very tops of the Words and Toy Box pages, or simply scroll down to access them via the Behind the Chintz Curtain footer. (The plan is to update the indexes every time a relevant post is added, but you’ll have to forgive me if there’s a short delay.)

For now, I’m leaving out Alert Me posts and Toy with me Tuesday entries, but I may add these in over the coming weeks, too. We’ll see how things go.

Here’s hoping that these indexes make finding your way around Behind the Chintz Curtain quicker and simpler.

The post For the love of an index appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Climax Pink Skin Vibrator
From: Desire & Pleasure
Price: £15.99
Material(s): CyberSkin (latex and phthalate free)

A few weeks ago, Desire & Pleasure, a charitable sex toy retailer run by the U.K.’s Family Planning Association (FPA), sent us this classic-shaped Climax Pink Skin Vibrator to review. One of our newest Chintz contributors, The Dairy Maid, stuck her hand up to try it out. (If you missed our previous post on Desire & Pleasure, the FPA, and the work they do promoting sexual health, you can find it here.)

Initial thoughts …
My first impression on receiving the Climax Skin was its extreme pinkness. It’s a very bright, almost luminous pink, which was pretty off-putting. It would certainly appeal to Barbie and Ken but not all ladies love pink!

The external packaging is discreet with an almost clinical edge, which means it wouldn’t look out of place at the pharmacy but it’s really too utilitarian to appeal to someone wanting to purchase it as a gift. Definitely a ‘no frills’ packaging approach. It also features a rather bizarre ‘nipple’, which allows you to feel the texture of the outer vibrator layer (sleeve) without breaking into the plastic. A good idea as you can decide if the feel appeals before opening anything (and it’s a lot of fun to use as a pretend accessory nipple once the Climax Pink Skin is out!). The packet is easy to open, too.

On to the vibrator itself …
The Climax Pink Skin has a removable outer sleeve that has a slightly tacky feel and a synthetic smell that improves after washing. This vibrator is waterproof and has an insertable length of 7 inches (17.78 centimetres) and a girth of 1.5 inches (3.81 centimetres) with the ribbed sleeve on (although it can also be used without). It is multi-speed and has a good speed range but between medium and maximum power it does become very loud – which may limit when and where it can be used. It also gets quite slippery when lubricated (because the Climax Pink Skin is made from CyberSkin you can only use non-oil based formulations), which makes adjusting the ring at the bottom and controlling the speed quite tricky.

I road-tested the vibrator solo and with my partner and both times I achieved a satisfying orgasm with a pleasurable build-up, but my partner struggled to control the slippery speed dial with hilarious results. Fine if you’re relaxed with each other but could be mortifying if you are in a less established relationship!

Overall verdict
Good value for money, discreet packaging and does what you would expect from a vibrator. However, the colour needs re-thinking; something more neutral would be better. No batteries were supplied in the pack, either, and the Climax Pink Skin’s CyberSkin sleeve requires a specialist cleaning product to maintain it in tip-top condition. Perhaps a sample sachet should be included with the product? On a personal note, I found it too slim and not long enough, but others may find the proportions perfectly ample. The speed dial was also more fiddly than I would have liked, too.

Tickle your fancy? You can buy the Climax Pink Skin Vibrator from Desire & Pleasure by clicking here.

*Please note that this item was provided free of charge by Desire & Pleasure in exchange for a fair review.

*Editor’s note (19 December 2012): this vibrator is currently out of stock with Desire & Pleasure but will be available again shortly. Can’t wait? You can view Desire & Pleasure’s range of alternative classic vibrators here. Enter the code BLOG008 at checkout to receive a 15% discount on all purchases up until 24 December 2012.

The post Girly pleasure: the Climax Pink Skin Vibrator appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What to wear, what to wear … Sometimes it’s so difficult to decide exactly how you’re going to accessorise.

I really do love the colour and shape of these reverse anal beads – and according to Lizzie, they feel rather nice, too!

Have a brilliant Toy with me Tuesday, everyone – and don’t forget to check out the rest of this week’s wonderful Toy with me Tuesday pics.

The post Toy with me Tuesday: which beads should I wear, honey? appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Bondage Heat Play Wax Candle in black
From: Bondara
Price: £8.50
Material(s): Paraffin wax

A burning candle is a thing of beauty. But what about all that wonderful molten wax? Lizzie and Thomas experiment with a bondage candle and discover the joys of wax play.

* Please take the time to review the Behind the Chintz Curtain Disclaimer before reading this post. Wax play carries some degree of risk and shouldn’t be undertaken without the proper safety precautions.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
Wax play. Yet another thing that’s been languishing on my ‘really want to try it’ list for what seems like forever. However, the big sex toy retailers (in the U.K. at least) have rather limited selections when it comes to wax play candles. There are a load of massage candles from the luxury brands on offer – such as the Lelo Flickering Touch and the Jimmyjane Afterglow – but trying to find nice ones for dripping on your partner isn’t particularly easy. So I was really pleased when we found the Bondage Heat Play candle on Bondara’s website; a decent size and colour, at a reasonable price.

Thomas
I have never tried wax play before; my only experience with hot wax is burning my hand with the stuff when trying to pick up a candle off the dinner table. Not particularly sensual. Given how painful a hot wax burn can be from a normal candle in a not-so-sensitive area, I had always thought pouring hot wax on your nether regions was the domain of serious masochists only. Lizzie, however, was keen and the wax candle was a low melting point type, so I thought we would give it a go.

How it looks …

Lizzie
Urgh. It’s actually quite hard to make a candle look unsexy but, somehow, the manufacturer of this stack of paraffin has managed it. This product is to be used in a sexual way. I get it. There’s really no need to show me a lady gripping her naked breast as if her life depends on it or make up new ‘sexy’ words (such as ‘sin-tilates’) to ram the message home. There’s also a bunch of copy in what looks like Chinese or Japanese. No idea what it says. I can only assume it’s not important safety information given that it hasn’t been translated.

It’s a shame that the box is so tacky, because the candle itself is actually quite nice. A lovely deep colour with more than a hint of plumy-ness to it. In fact, it’s actually dark, dark purple rather than the pure black it’s advertised to be. It smells rather pleasant, too; there’s definitely a scent of vanilla about it.

One final (and slightly concerning) point: there’s no ingredients list on the candle box. I know from Bondara’s online product description that the item is made from paraffin (a low melting point wax) but this fact isn’t stated anywhere on the packet, nor is there information about the dyes used or any fragrance details. Given that the candle is both coloured and scented, this bothers me as I like to know what I’m sticking on myself. And if you have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies, this sort of information is absolutely essential.

Using it …

Lizzie
As I didn’t get to light, tip or drip the wax play candle, I can only comment on how the hot wax felt when it hit my skin. (Thomas did all the prep for our first wax play outing and got to handle the candle during it – rhyme intended!)

Thomas positioned me so that I was standing but bent forwards with my hands gripping the back of chair. We had been playing for a little while at this point and I had seen the candle burning away on the sideboard so knew that hot wax was on the evening’s agenda. The large cloth beneath my feet was another giveaway. (Wax play makes a fair bit of mess so you want to make sure you have all surfaces in the immediate vicinity covered.)

The first drip of wax hit the small of my back and, while I was prepared for the heat, the liquidity and length of the ‘run’ came as a bit of a surprise. The low melting point meant that the hot wax had a lot of ‘trickle’ to it, and it immediately chased downwards over my skin before eventually cooling and hardening. (If you’re going to engage in wax play, it is essential that you use a candle with a low melting point to avoid burning the skin. Paraffin liquefies between 43 and 65 degrees Celsius so is a good choice for this sort of activity. Whatever you do, do not use your standard beeswax household candles no matter how expensive or organic they are.)

Once Thomas had established that I was okay with both the heat and the sensation of the wax, he became more adventurous and started moving further backwards, dripping it over my buttocks and, eventually, the top of the crease between them – at which point the hot wax ran downwards and coated my vulva and clitoris. After a little break, he had me stand up and trickled more wax over my chest and nipples.

Did I like the sensation? Yes, yes, and yes! The heat of the wax was, to me, very bearable, as was the slow cool and the tightness as it hardened. By the time Thomas had finished with me, I had a nice little buzz going on and, if I’m honest, I would have liked to have kept going with the wax play longer than we actually did. In fact, I have my fingers crossed for a very lengthy session in the future.

Removing the wax wasn’t difficult – it peeled off the skin fairly easily (although we stuck to completely hair-free areas) but it did create a hell of a mess. Stay well away from fabric and carpet as the splash factor is significant with this stuff. I should say that most wax play guides suggest a light layer of oil on the skin to avoid wax getting stuck and to assist removal but I must admit we didn’t do this. However, my skin was very heavily moisturised.

Thomas
After I lit the candle I did try it out on myself first. What struck me straight away was that it was definitely cooler than a ‘standard’ candle. It was also very, very runny, i.e. it went bloody everywhere. So towels, sheets, drop cloths (I’m not kidding) are a must, especially if you plan to use it anywhere near carpet, upholstery, linen, etc. You’ll need to fire it up early as well as it takes a while to generate a decent pool of liquid wax – and that doesn’t last long due to the previously mentioned runniness. The best tactic is to use a little with breaks in between to allow the candle to replenish. If you really want to go to town, I would recommend using two candles – or maybe even three if you want to recreate Madame Tussauds.

Once in use, it works great. Just watch out as it tends to run where it wants and that may not be where you intended it to go, so you need to try to be fairly accurate with your aim. (I would recommend some practice first to get the hang of the way the wax runs.) Obviously, it makes sense to start in some less sensitive areas (back, buttocks etc.) and work you way to more sensitive ones – slowly. Lizzie certainly had a great time with the wax, especially on her more sensitive parts, judging by her vocal response and other involuntary reactions

As a final note, Lizzie likes to have her nether regions smooth and hair-free, so clean up of the wax wasn’t a problem. If this is not your thing, however, you need to take this into account when using the wax as getting it off pubic hair could be quite tedious (as well as painful).

The verdict?

Lizzie
Wax play in general? A big thumbs up. This particular candle? Performance-wise, it’s great. I have to admit I am a little concerned about the lack of information regarding the ingredients it contains, though.

Thomas
Lizzie had a great time with this product. Just watch the potential mess and don’t use too much at once unless you have more than one candle. As a safety precaution, always be careful around naked flames; you don’t want to burn yourself or the house down. Keep an eye on where you put the candle when it is lit (it could be very easy to get distracted and then find you have set the curtains alight!) and a fire extinguisher in the house is a good idea, too. It’s also prudent to have a wet cloth and basin of water close to hand just in case you do happen to burn a sensitive area. It may not look particularly sexy but then neither is trying to explain to the doctor in A&E how exactly you managed to get a burn there.

In summary …

Things we liked …

• The look of the actual candle. A good size (four inches long, two inches wide) and a pretty colour – although the black option is actually more of a dark purple.
• The liquidity of the candle wax. Good trickle qualities.
• The heat of the wax. Not too hot.
• The price. Very reasonable.

Things we weren’t so keen on …

• The lack of instructions. To that end, if you’re going try your hand at wax play, you should absolutely do some research and safety reading beforehand. There are some good online guides available for free.
• The packaging. Tacky, tacky, tacky.
• The lack of information on the candle’s make up. Those with sensitive skin or fragrance/colour allergies should consider alternative products.
• Doesn’t come with a container or holder, so you’ll have to find something to stand or place the candle in.

Tickle your fancy? Click here to buy the Bondage Heat Play Wax Candle from Bondara.

The post Wax play: candles, love, and liquid heat appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

I had a bit of a disaster with my original Toy with me Tuesday shot for today. Turns out, it’s not that easy to create fake frost. Who’d have thought? (I’ll just have to wait ‘til winter is in full swing before trying that one again, I think …)

So, instead of ice crystals, I’ve gone for electronics. This shot is actually inspired by a friend’s comments regarding a shot I did of the LELO Gigi back in September. She thought it looked like a remote for the T.V. or a videogame controller. And I have to agree, when you put the Gigi in a gadget line-up, she doesn’t look out of place! Hey, we all have buttons we like pushed.

To all the Toy with me Tuesday regulars who are under the weather at the moment, get well soon!

Check out the other wonderful Toy with me Tuesday pictures for this week by clicking here or on the banner below.

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What we used: Smooth G-Spot Glass Dildo with finger loop
From: Spartacus
Price: From £29.99
Material(s): lead free borosilicate glass

Dildos don’t vibrate, but they do have their charms … Lizzie and Thomas play with the Smooth G-Spot Glass Dildo from Spartacus.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
A couple of months ago, Thomas and I had a major toy box clean out. We threw out a load of stuff – things that we’d bought and didn’t like, mostly, but also some toys that we’d enjoyed and thought were past their use-by date. Amongst them, a monstrously large dildo that Thomas purchased for me as a birthday present. It was an awful, flesh-coloured thing that was eye-wateringly large (he didn’t check the size properly before ordering it – or so he told me) and smelled strongly of latex. So strongly, in fact, you could smell it halfway across the room if the lid on our toy box wasn’t shut properly. Still, we had quite a bit of fun with it before it was eventually consigned to the dustbin, although I can’t say it really sold me on dildos generally; vibrators always seemed to have far more to offer. Needless to say, I was pretty ambivalent about the Spartacus Smooth G-Spot Dildo. Turns out, I grossly underestimated what a well-designed, well-made toy could do for me.

Thomas
My last dildo purchase for Lizzie was less than 100% satisfactory, although I think she quite liked the size ;-). It did look and smell awful; think John Holmes on steroids complete with ‘realistic veins’ (the manufacturer’s words on the packaging, not mine) and ‘realistic’ meaning varicose, apparently. The packaging was also a bit crap. I never showed it to Lizzie as it was too embarrassing (it featured a male model who looked like disturbingly like David Hasselhoff with some major Photoshop-ing having been done on his genitals) and I can see why they didn’t show this on the site I brought it from.

The packaging …

Lizzie
I really appreciate it when toy manufacturers cater to both genders, i.e. don’t plaster big-boobed, de-haired women all over their packaging. It immediately makes me more inclined to buy their products again. This Spartacus glass dildo is presented in a simple, black, hexagonal box with clean font. It’s completely neutral, in other words; you could buy it and give it to a man or woman without worrying that the branding was (potentially) going to send the wrong message, i.e. “I want you to be a porn star!”

How it looks …

Lizzie
Pretty! The dildo is made of mid-blue blown glass and beautifully shaped. The shaft, which has an insertable length of 6 inches (approximately 15.5 centimetres), runs at a consistent width and then flares out to create a bulb-shaped head with a diameter of 4.75 inches (12 centimetres) at its widest point.  The latter crooks forwards slightly, giving it the all-important ability to stimulate the G-Spot. At the dildo’s base, a simple ring that allows the person wielding it slip their fingers through and thus get (and maintain) a decent grip on the toy.

Thomas
Much better than our original monster. It looks like it could be a glass sculpture or a paperweight. The packaging is also subtle and low-key so you won’t feel like a member of the old mac brigade if you give one as a gift. Well-made and very smooth with no visible cracks or joins (a must in a glass dildo); it’s even got a ring you can hang it on. Handy.

In action …

Lizzie
Two words. Female ejaculation. I have experienced this orgasm-induced side effect quite a few times before but generally find it easier to achieve with Thomas’s fingers (although G-Spot vibrators also do the job). There was something about the Spartacus dildo’s shape, however, that got me there faster and more easily than either digits or my usual toy-partner in crime, the LELO Gigi. The head of the dildo, when angled correctly, felt wonderful when pressed and rubbed against my G-Spot and, as far as I’m concerned, the size and design of it are pretty close to perfect. I had four ejaculatory orgasms in the space of an hour with this thing (no lie) although Thomas was the one in the driver’s seat, so I have to give him a large chunk of the credit for using the dildo to such devastating effect.

Material-wise, the Spartacus felt wonderful. The glass was beautifully smooth and slippery and I especially liked the way it changed temperature during use. (To start with, it was very cool but as it absorbed my body heat, it became warmer and warmer.)

I found that the best way to use this toy was standing and bent forwards over a soft chair; the position gave Thomas a decent amount of room to manoeuvre and also allowed him some scope to get the dildo in the correct position. In addition, he was able to press the head of the dildo against the front wall of my vagina more easily (no fighting gravity) – and thus target my G-Spot.

Thomas
I didn’t know to start with this was a G-Spot dildo, although the shape looked about right for one so once we got down to business, I started to see how effective it would be for stimulating this area. Extremely effective, as it turned out.

I could tell it was certainly hitting the spot (so to speak) with Lizzie but it soon became very obvious that it was really hitting it. Lizzie has ejaculated a number of times before but this was by far the quickest and the most frequent I have seen, so much so that the line from that Bloodhound Gang song ‘love the kind you clean up with a mop and a bucket’ springs to mind. I could have stopped after the first one but I don’t like letting Lizzie off too easily so I thought I would push the boat out.

The reason I think this dildo works so well is because of the shape of its large, angled head. It caught Lizzie in just the right place inside and I could feel it moving over her pelvic bone (which is the sweet spot for her), so it was relatively simple to position. Also the ring on the base makes it easy to get a good grip and to get the head in at just the right angle (which is much harder to do with just the shaft on a normal dildo).

Any downsides?

Lizzie
None that I can think of. I’m in love with this thing!

The verdict?

Lizzie
A really fabulous dildo that looks good, is well made, and shaped like a dream. It’s very easy to clean, too, as it can be sterilised in the dishwasher. I suspect this toy is going to be brought out often and that it’s going to result in a quite a few soaked towels, sheets and floors. Great fun to use with a partner and highly (highly) recommended to those who enjoy or climax from G-Spot stimulation. Even better, although we had plenty of fun during our inaugural session with this dildo, there’s lots of scope to mix things up in the future as the glass construction means that we can warm it in a basin of water or cool it in the fridge or freezer before use. (The idea of the frozen glass being put somewhere hot holds a lot of appeal – rather like an ice cube but far less messy!)

Thomas
I have never used a glass dildo before but I have to say I am sold on this one; it looks good, has outstanding performance and is very practical. I also think the ability for it to be frozen will add extra thrills (and the odd shock) for Lizzie in the future.

In summary

Things we liked:

• The orgasms it produced. Full-on, full-out female ejaculation.
• The glass construction. Attractive and easy to clean.
• The play possibilities. Can be heated or cooled safely.
• Phthalate-free. No nasty chemicals and especially good for those with latex allergies.
• Lube-friendly. Because this dildo is made of glass, it can be used with all types of lubricants (oil-, silicone- or water-based).

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Nothing!

Tickle your fancy? Click here to buy this item from Lovehoney.

The post A touch of glass: the Spartacus Smooth G-Spot Dildo appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

I can’t quite believe it but Behind the Chintz Curtain has been live for three months as of today.

Nearly 3,000 of you have visited since the first post went up and every day, more and more of you stop by. So a massive ‘thank you’ to all my regulars, and a warm ‘hello’ to those who are here for the first time.

Sixty posts in (this is number sixty one) and guess what the most popular entry has been so far? No real surprise – it’s Lizzie’s Fifty Shades of Grey-inspired review of jiggle balls, which is sitting at the top of the pile with over 500 pageviews. But I think E.L. James’s ben was may be in for a bit of competition; also making appearances in the top ten, C is for clitoris, c is for clip and the wonderfully erotic Victorian birching story, Uncle Charles’ Girls by Anne Randolph. (Clearly, there’s call for more toys in the Toy Box and some red-bottomed literature!)

Finally, I’d like to take the opportunity to say ‘thanks’ to the members of the BDSM group on Goodreads who have been so wonderful and generous with their time, providing feedback and advice as I write The Garden of Earthly Delights. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Jane
x

The post A floral milestone appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used:

Do good things come in small packages? Lizzie shares her thoughts on Gigi, LELO’s rechargeable G-Spot vibrator, who she’s been getting to know for a while now.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
As you may know from reading my A not-so-Happy Rabbit review, I’ve been using vibrators – alone and with Thomas – for quite some time. But Gigi was a bit of a departure for me because, at the time I bought this little G-Spot gem, it represented a number of firsts. One, it was made by LELO, a brand I’d not tried before. Two, it wasn’t a rabbit (and up until Gigi’s arrival, all my vibes had ears). Three, it was the smallest vaginal vibrator I had ever purchased. Gigi was a bit of stab-in-the-dark, to be perfectly frank; I’d just divorced my latest rabbit – things hadn’t worked out between us – and I was desperate to find a vibrator I enjoyed using again.

How it looks …

Lizzie
I won’t spend too much time talking about the LELO packaging, except to say that, as with all LELO products, it’s sleek and appealing. As you can see from the below picture, the company’s marketing team have clearly thought a lot about how to make their product look and feel luxurious, non-threatening, and appealing to women. Bluntly, you don’t feel like you’ve just bought something from a seedy backstreet sex shop.

The Gigi itself is quite small. In fact, even though I perused the dimensions before purchasing it, I still got a bit of a surprise when I pulled it out of the box. With a length of 16.51 centimetres (6.5 inches), a circumference of 10.16 centimetres (4 inches) and a diameter of 3.3 centimetres (1.3 inches), it’s not exactly the biggest vibrator on the block. From a purely aesthetic point-of-view, however, the Gigi is lovely. The base of the vibrator is constructed of a gloss-white plastic, upon which is mounted a single, flush control button. Very uncluttered. At the bottom of the base, a small recharging socket (Gigi has a usage time of four hours at full charge and a standby life of ninety days) that can be revealed or concealed by lifting or lowering a small, pliable tab. A thin metallic band separates this base section from the insertable shaft. The latter is made of FDA-approved silicone that’s super-smooth to the touch and pleasingly coloured. (I ordered the Gigi in deep rose although the vibrator is also available in two other colours – pink and turquoise blue.)

While not waterproof, the LELO Gigi is splash-proof, which means that you can wash it with antibacterial soap and water once you’ve finished using it. (You can use sex-toy cleaners to clean this vibrator, too, but not all are silicone-friendly, so make sure you check before applying then to the Gigi or any other toys constructed of this material.)

How it feels …

Lizzie
Given its size, I was a bit worried about how the Gigi was going to perform (not to put too fine a point on it, I’m generally a girth sort of girl). Consequently, I had everything other than my legs crossed, hoping that I hadn’t made an expensive error in judgement.

I remember with clarity that Gigi arrived in the middle of the day, while I was home alone, and I beat a hasty retreat to the bedroom to put the vibrator through its paces as soon as it had enough charge. (Although please note that I don’t recommend you do this as it’s not good for the battery!) The first thing I noticed? Gigi was LOADS quieter than all the other vibrators I’d previously tried. Most sound like electric toothbrushes on acid but the LELO Gigi had a nice quiet hum.

After cycling through all of the available programmes (Gigi has six different speeds and five different pulse patterns), I got started – and made a very pleasant and unexpected discovery.  Whilst ‘warming myself up’, I found that the flattened tip at the head of the vibrator was brilliant for massaging my clitoris. The increased surface area covered things really well – far better than a standard tapered vibrator tip – and, consequently, enabled me to get aroused relatively quickly. But what of the G-Spot? Did the Gigi stimulate it effectively, too?

Well, when I finally got to it, yes, it did.

The G-Spot can be difficult to target during regular intercourse and it’s nice to have a toy that can be used to stimulate this area. The curved design of the Gigi enables you to easily press the vibrator against the front wall of the vagina (where the G-Spot is located) and, once you’ve found the right place, the flattened head at the top of the shaft can be rubbed over and pressed into it to stimulate it. In addition, the vibrator’s relatively slim shaft circumference, makes it very easy to move it around – so its reduced size is actually a benefit as it helps you get it in the right position without stretching anything uncomfortably.

As far as the Gigi’s speed and vibration settings are concerned, I’d have to say I’m pretty ambivalent – but then I’ve never been that fussed over them on any vibrator I’ve owned. Others may enjoy the interrupted or ‘dipping’ pulse programmes on offer but I personally like the consistent vibration at maximum intensity level, purely because it gets me where I need to go faster.

Any downsides?

Lizzie
The LELO Gigi isn’t cheap, although you do get a well-made vibrator for your money – and one that won’t keep your next-door neighbours awake when it’s in use. The control button can be a little frustrating (when you’re lying on your back/side/stomach, you can’t exactly see where you’re pressing) and when your fingers are slippery it’s not the easiest to manipulate. I also think it’s important to note that the Gigi is more woman- than man-friendly, by which I mean that it’s harder for a guy to operate because of it’s size. Thomas finds it really difficult to use this vibrator on me internally because there’s not much for his hand to grip onto around the base. It’s definitely designed for a feminine hand.

The verdict?

Lizzie
Very recently, someone asked me to recommend a vibrator for a friend of theirs, and, normally, I would never do this without first obtaining some specific details (what sorts of vibrators they’ve used before, what they liked about them, what they didn’t like about them, size preferences, etc.) but I found myself suggesting the LELO Gigi. Why? Because it’s a lovely looking vibe that’s quiet, well-made, and relatively easy to operate. But most importantly, its design means that most users will likely to find that its use results in a decent and satisfying orgasm; even if it doesn’t do it for your G-Spot, chances are you’ll enjoy its effects on your clitoris. It’s a vibrator that covers a few bases and it’s not intimidatingly massive.

In summary

Things I liked:

• The materials. Body-safe silicone means that you don’t have to worry about leeching phthalates or horrible rubbery smells.
• The shape of the main vibrator shaft. Good proportions and the flattened tip is great for massaging both the G-Spot and the clitoris.
• The fact that Gigi is rechargeable. No need for a back-up battery supply.

Things I wasn’t so keen on:

• The price. The Gigi isn’t the cheapest vibrator out there. However, the quality of the product is excellent and when you take that into consideration, the cost doesn’t seem so unreasonable.
• The control pad. It’s not the easiest to operate – especially if you have large, masculine fingers.

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to buy this item from Bondara, LELO, Lovehoney, and Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium.

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