Sexy Reviews Archives

After writing this post about my impending retirement from sex blogging, I’ve more or less hung up my adult product reviewer hat. So, when Pure Romance contacted me about reviewing their new holiday line, I was hesitant. Would the company that’s known for its at home sex toy parties (I’ve been to a few in my day) have anything suitable for my new blog direction? It turns out that yes, yes, yes they do!

As I’ve mentioned before, I love a great pair of pajamas (so much so, that my family had to stage a pajamavention at one point). Well, as it turns out, Pure Romance carries some of the comfiest ones I’ve ever had the pleasure of ~~working~~ sleeping in (freelancer win!) They also have a bunch of body products that they sent me to try….and, because there are all about spreading the wealth, I also have a Pure Romance holiday gift set to giveaway to a reader. Here’s the skinny…

Behold the most comfiest pajamas known to humankind! The Vega V-neck Chemise and Leto Lounge Pants are both made with bamboo fibers to feel as soft as silk while naturally adapting to your body’s temperature and wicking away moisture. I know I’ll definitely be wearing the Leto Pants to ~~work and write~~ lounge around the house. Also, is it just me or does the Vega V-neck Chemise look cute enough to wear outside of the bedroom? I’m kind of tempted to wear it as a beach dress next time I travel somewhere warm.

The folks at Pure Romance also included some Flirt Conditioning Shave Cream and Coco Glow Sunless Tanner, which to be honest I haven’t had a chance to try yet.

They also included some Euforia Shea Butter, which judging by the first application is something I’m going to be using on my chronically dry legs all winter.

If you’d like to win your very own Pure Romance holiday gift, simply leave a comment on this post.

An extra entry will be given if you also follow me on Instagram. If you follow me on the ‘Gram, make sure you mention your handle in the comment so I know who you are.

I’ll choose a winner Wednesday, December 19th, 2018.

Don’t want to wait to see if you win? Enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases, excluding tax and shipping, when you use the exclusive promotion code SkinnyDip10. To redeem, just enter it in the COUPON CODE box and hit “APPLY” and the discount will be shown.

Good luck & happy holidays! xx

Now more than ever, I’ve realized how important it is for me to support brands that align with my values. Unbound is one of those brands. You may remember them from a few months ago when I reviewed their Unbound Delta Box (with rave reviews!) Since I wrote that post, I’ve fallen into a full on brand crush with the ladies at Unbound. They’re a 100% a female owned & operated company, they’re sex positive and they’re feminists. And while there’s lots of great sex-positive female business owners out there, Unbound is one that suits my design aesthetic perfectly. Like, if I was going to create a sex store, it would look exactly like theirs – cheeky product photography and all. (Also, can we talk about how I want to buy EVERYTHING from their lingerie section?)

That’s what I’m elated to announce that I’ve partnered with Unbound this holiday season to create a sexy gift guide for you. People are always asking me for suggestions on what to buy for themselves and their partner. This gift guide is chock full of sexy suggestions and my favourite toys. The best part?

Use SIMONEKATRINE25 at checkout to get 25% everything listed below.

(a great deal if you’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on a new pricy vibrator.)

Curious about why I chose these items? Here’s the ‘skinny’ on everything in the gift guide-

1. Follies Bergere Soft Underwire Bra: What I love about this piece is that it’s sexy yet incredibly wearable. Wear it in the bedroom or under a tee, so the straps are semi visible along the neckline.

2. Body Straps: I’m obsessed with this barely there “lingerie” set. Ridiculously sexy and fits a variety of different bodies.

3. Follies Bergere G-String: Unless your partner hates wearing thongs, you can’t really go wrong with a high-quality, simple black g-string. Gartner belt sold separately.

4. Handcuff Bangles: I think the name says it all. I love dual purpose accessories and these are totally bad-ass.

5. Holiday Box: Get your jollies off with this curated Holiday box of sexy goodies. And yes, that’s a candy cane shaped dildo. You’re welcome.

6. The Crave Vesper: You might remember this one from my review of the Crave Vesper. A luxe vibrator that’s also a chic piece of jewelry? Yes, please.

7. We-Vibe Tango: This little bullet vibe is still one of my favourite sex toys, period. It’s compact, ridiculously powerful and perfect for toe-curling, pin-pointed sensations.

8. BDSM Box: Curious about BDSM but not sure where to start? This curated box has got you covered.

9. iScream Dildo: Because this wouldn’t be a Skinny Dip gift guide without at least one item that’s just slightly ridiculous. Freeze this popsicle shaped dildo for temperature play or just use it on it’s own. Perfect for a gag gift or the person in your life that already has everything!

10. Lelo Ina Wave: Read my original review here. The Ina Wave is still one of my favourite toys. Now you can grab one at a discount.

11. Viviane Babydoll: When it comes to buying lingerie online and/or for someone else, I’m a huge fan of pieces that aren’t too structured and have some stretch. This sexy chemise from Oh La La Cheri fits the bill. This would look amazing on a variety of different body types, and it comes in regular and plus size.

12. Womanizer Pro: A terrible name for a sex toy, but a wonderful product. I’ll be reviewing this soon! TLDR: instead of vibrating, this toy “sucks” your clitoris. The end result is delicious and feels like a million sugar plum fairies taking flight.

Got a question? Let’s chat!

I’ve always been what people like to call “girly” when it comes to my taste in lingerie and sleepwear. As a child, I preferred night gowns in lieu of pyjama pants because I liked the idea of being comfortable and feeling pretty while I slept. When I was 14, I used my Christmas money to buy my first silk nightie and never looked back.

But, despite my taste for all things lacy and silky, I never thought to identify myself as “girly” until an ex-boyfriend used the word to describe me. I was living in Toronto and boy briefs had recently become trendy for women. The guy I was dating at the time was clearly into that American Apparel-esque look, because the first time he saw me in one of my many pairs of lacy, silky underwear he said, “god, you’re so girly, Simone.” It wasn’t a compliment. He thought my love of lingerie was “silly” and a “waste of money.” One afternoon, he took me to this store called Chocky’s that used to be on Spadina. He pointed me towards a 12-pack of Hanes women’s briefs and told me, “you’d have a lot more money if you just bought these.” He didn’t get it and never would, which is why we’re not together.

But, that experience reconfirmed what I already knew: that I like what I like. The lesson here: whether you’re a fan of Hane’s value packs or Agent Provocateur, don’t let the person you’re dating try and sway you. Own it. I do. However, I prefer the term, “grown woman who likes sexy things” to “girly.”

Anyway.

A few years ago, I wrote about updating my sleepwear collection, but, aside from this pyjama review, I haven’t really written much about what I’ve been wearing under the sheets. (Truth is, my sleepwear drawer is once again in need of an update.)

So, when Lovehoney offered to send me a piece from their new lingerie line, I chose this gorgeous “Spoil Me” Satin Babydoll Set in Plum. The funny thing is, it’s been long documented amongst my friends and family that I hate purple clothing. I think the colour looks terrible against my already very pink skin. But, for some reason I was really drawn to this plum coloured set. I fell in love with how bright and vivid the colour looked in the photos. The majority of my lingerie is black, white, pink or red so I thought this would be a nice change of pace.

I’ve tried a handful of Lovehoney’s private label lingerie line and every piece has been more impressive than the next. Some of my favourites include the open back panties, the “Adore Me” lace chemise and the “Thrill Me” mesh baby doll (review coming soon.) The “Spoil Me” satin baby doll is no exception. Like the other pieces, the fabric and overall quality is really great. Best of all, it’s super comfortable.

Let’s take a look at what we have here. The “Spoil Me” Babydoll is made from super soft stretch satin and is trimmed with black lace. It has delicate elastic straps and flirty slits up the side that are also trimmed in black lace & little bows. It comes with a matching thong that is made with the same plum coloured stretch satin.

The fit is very much like in the photo. The bust is fitted but the rest “skims” rather than clings to your body. This makes the piece not only comfortable, but also really flattering. Length wise, it falls just below the bum on me. (it might fall longer or shorter on you depending on your curves.)

The straps come together in a t-back, which I think is a really fun and modern detail on an otherwise very classic piece.

As you can see, the thong is really minimal but it includes a cotton lining so you can wear underneath your regular clothes if you wish. Also, check out those sexy lace trimmed slits!

I love how this piece is detailed, but the real winning factor is the material. If you’ve never tried stretch satin, you need to, stat. Unlike some of my other regular satin pieces, this one stretches and moves with your body, which makes it even more comfortable for sleeping in (or doing, uh, other activities I would assume.)

The only potential downside to this piece is the bust doesn’t offer that much support or coverage. It’s about the same as your average string bikini top. I’m a 32DD and while the Small fit perfectly everywhere else, I found I could have used just a little bit more coverage in the boob area. I’m totally OK with the coverage when I’m at home in bed, but I felt a bit exposed when I tried to photograph this piece (hence, the reason you don’t see any full body shots!) If you have a large bust and like your lingerie to be supportive, you might enjoy The Adore Me chemise or one of Lovehoney’s underwire styles more.

With that said, if comfort is what you’re after the “Spoil Me” is a real treat. It feels super luxurious & sexy and is easily something I could lounge around in while in bed all day. In fact, I think that’s what I’m going to go do right now.

I received the Spoil Me Baby Doll free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. All views are my own because that’s how I roll.

For my last sex toy review of 2015, I’ve decided to tackle that age old question “yo, why are your pants buzzing?” and review the Jimmyjane Form 1: a wearable, remote control vibrator designed to be worn inside your underwear.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve always been a bit skeptical of those vibrating panty sets that you often come across in sex toy stores. Either the panties look sketchy, the vibrator looks cheap or both. However, when I found out that Jimmyjane had come out with their own version – a vibrator that can be worn inside the underwear of your choice (*BYOP – bring your own panties?) I was intrigued. One of my favourite vibrators – the Form 2 – is made by Jimmyjane. I also like their massage candles. Lucky for me, my friends at Lovehoney hooked me up (thanks guys!)

So, what exactly do we have here? The Jimmyjane Form 1 is a small, clitoral vibrator made of 100% body-safe silicone that is designed to sit inside your underwear (or as the Brits over at Lovehoney say, “knickers.”) It includes 10 different vibration modes, 5 different intensity levels and a small remote control that works remotely from 32 ft away (given that you’re in direct line of sight).

The Jimmyjane Form 1 is intended as a couple’s toy. You slip it into your knickers, hand them the controls and let the fun begin.

Here’s a few things this toy has going for it –

Quality materials & a remote that actually works.

Or, rather I should say, “a remote that Simone can actually figure out.” I’ve had bad luck with remote control sex toys in the past. Either the remotes don’t work or they’re too finicky, so I just give up and don’t bother using them. I’m happy to report that this isn’t the case with the Form 1 remote. I was able to figure it out right away and it worked great. Jimmyjane is known for it’s high quality toys and this one is no exception.

You can use this in the underwear of your choice. Alone or with someone else.

Although this is marketed as a couple’s toy, you can also use it solo. Why not? If you feel like stuffing a vibrator down your pants (even if you’re the only one around to enjoy it), go for it. I won’t judge you. Even better, with the Form 1 you’re not restricted to the (potentially) crappy underwear that comes with the toy. You can use your own. It’s *BYOP baby!

It’s relatively compact.

I don’t know if it’s “the world’s slimmest vibrator” like the makers say it is, but it is on the slim side. It’s about a centimetre thick and the length of a lipstick.

Now here’s a few things that could be better –

The vibrations.

I was expecting the toe-curling, super strong vibrations of the Form 2, but I found this one fell a little bit short. The vibrations are quite strong on the highest setting, but a bit buzzy. When placed inside my panties, the vibrations felt good (even more so when I walked around, versus stayed seated or standing) but they weren’t enough to really get me off. Outside of my underwear, I was able to get off if I applied a bit of pressure to the toy. My verdict: unless you’re extremely sensitive, this toy is more of a fun appetizer than a main course.

The bend-ability.

The vibrator bends in the middle so you can shape it to your form, however doesn’t stay bent. I’m not sure what’s up with that.

The tiny wetsuit.

We can’t talk about the Form 1 without mentioning it’s “Stay in Place Panty Sleeve” aka the thing that looks like a tiny wetsuit. Made of neoprene, this little case is meant to keep the toy in place. When I first saw it, I was like, “Aw, how cute! It comes with it’s own little outfit! But, why?!” Good question. Although adorable, there’s a few issues with the “panty sleeve” (does anyone else find that name kind of creepy?)

1. It’s unnecessary. The vibrator is made of body safe silicone and has a nice grip. I feel like the neoprene sleeve actually gives it less grip.

2. It mutes the vibrations. The neoprene sleeve lessens the feeling of the vibrations while (oddly enough) doing nothing to mute the sound. No, thanks.

3. Laundry issues. Instead of just cleaning the silicone vibe with toy cleaner, if you use the sleeve you have to put it through the wash after each use. Washing Joe the Intern‘s clothes is enough for me. I don’t need more tiny laundry to do.

(With that said, the neoprene sleeve makes an excellent carrying case. It’s great for when you want to pop the toy in your purse or overnight bag. You just don’t need to use it for it’s intended use.)

The sound.

The people at Jimmyjane claim that this toy offers “silent vibrations.” LIES! This toy is actually quite loud. In fact, when I turned it on for the first time I actually scared my cat. I feel like this kind of defeats the purpose of it being “discreet.” Even stuffed down your pants, you can hear it. If you were going to wear this in public, you’d have to go somewhere that’s already loud to begin with. A sports bar on Superbowl Sunday? Union Station at Rush Hour? A Rammstein concert? Somewhere with a lot of screaming? Your guess is as good as mine.

The bulge.

Of all the drawbacks, this is the one that weirded me out the most. This might not be an issue for everyone, but in order to get the vibrator to hit the right spot, I had to place it in a way that created a visible pants bulge in my skinny jeans. Not exactly the look I was going for. I guess for some of us this is a “skirts only” toy or a “just don’t stuff this down your pants” toy.

The verdict.

After quite a bit of experimentation, the Form 1 just re-confirmed what I’ve always thought about “knicker vibrators” – they’re kind of awkward. The Form 1 isn’t the worst couples toy I’ve ever tried (ahem, I think the Embrace wins this title) but it’s not the best either.

If you’re looking to treat yourself to something sexy that you and your partner can both enjoy, I’d suggest you forgo the remote control vibrating panties all together, and instead invest in one clitoral vibe that works really, really well like the Jimmyjane Form 2, the We-Vibe Touch or the Crave Duet (all of which are awesome sex toys).

Thank you to Lovehoney for this review. I received this toy free of charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own because that’s how I roll.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you might assume that when it comes to sex, I’m always ready to rock and roll, all the time, at the drop of a hat. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t always blog in real time, so a lot of the sexual experiences I’ve written about on here didn’t occur simultaneously or serially, but rather were spaced out over large periods of time. Also, like many people, my sex drive ebbs and flows throughout the month.

My sexual persona lives primarily in my head. I love sex, however if I’m feeling stressed or anxious, sometimes I need a bit of help getting in the zone. More often than not, this involves something as simple as slowing down long enough so that my partner and I can really connect. This is why I’m always slightly skeptical of products that are designed to “increase desire.”

Unless there’s a pill that can pour me a glass of wine, run me a bubble bath, and/or read me Pablo Neruda, I don’t have much faith that it will work for me (however, if anyone is interested in developing that Pablo Neruda whispering pill, let’s talk.)

Now, enter Zestra – a topically applied medication, approved by Health Canada for women suffering from a decrease in sexual interest and desire.

As the makers of Zestra explain, 43% of women from 18 to 59 encounter a sexual problem of desire or arousal at one point in their life. In other words, it’s not just you. If you feel this way, it’s completely normal.

These symptoms may happen in various moments of life, therefore Zestra is ideal for women:

• going through different stages of menopause
• taking oral contraceptives
• taking anti-depressants
• after giving birth
• with medical conditions affecting sexual feeling
• that have a desire to heighten their sexual experiences

When the company reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in trying Zestra I was curious, albeit slightly hesitant. When it comes to chemicals, I don’t like to put anything extra into my system that doesn’t need to be there. However, after I read that Zestra is completely hormone-free and made of natural oils, I was intrigued.

I take a regular medication for my anxiety disorder. Although I don’t feel like the brain drugs have had a negative impact on my libido, I was curious to see if it would make any difference and/or heighten my sexual experiences (as suggested.) You never know until you try, right?

It’s now a few weeks later. I’ve tried Zestra and am ready to share my experiences.

So, what exactly is Zestra?

Good question! Zestra is a unique, patented and hormone-free formula is composed of active ingredients extracted from 4 plants recognized to increased blood flow and local sensitivity (Borage, Evening Primrose, du Huo and Forskohlii). These ingredients are introduced into Zestra in the form of medicinal oils.

How does it work?

Zestra’s active ingredients increase blood flow and nerve conduction, to safely and effectively enhance female sexual pleasure, sensation, sensitivity and overall sexual satisfaction.

Yeah, but what it is?!

I was expecting Zestra to be either a cream or a gel, so I was surprised when I opened the package and discovered it’s actually an oil. Zestra comes in a tear packet similar to a lube sampler. One package = one application. The package I received included three packets/applications. FYI, a little goes a long way. Don’t do what I do and squirt the whole package into your hand – you probably won’t need all of it.

Another happy surprise: Zestra smells really good. Like fruit and plants, but not in a gross, artificial, jolly-rancher way. The noticeably nice scent definitely added to the experience.

How do you use this magical oil?*

(*Disclaimer: Zestra is not really magic. It just feels that way.)

Easy. You apply it topically to your outer labia and clitoris. It’s meant to be used externally, so don’t insert any of the product into your vagina. Leave it on for five minutes before you have sex. Within a few minutes you should start to feel it working.

Omg, what does it feel like?!

As I mentioned above, I didn’t really have any expectations for my Zestra experience, however this stuff feels really freaking amazing. A minute or so after I applied it, I could feel a nice tingly sensation, like a mix of hot and cold. Although I tend to avoid sex products that advertise a “tingling sensation” because they usually lead to irritation and burning, I didn’t have any unpleasant sensations associated with Zestra. By the five minute mark, it definitely felt like there was more blood in that area. It felt good, really, really good.

When my boyfriend asked me to describe the sensation, I told him that it felt like I had given my vagina and clit a nice, steaming hot shot of espresso.

After applying the solution I noticed that any touch or stimulation felt noticeably more intense. The happy-in-my-pants feelings brought on by Zestra lasted for about an hour, after which they tapered off.

That’s awesome, but is there anything I should be aware of?

Yes. Zestra shouldn’t be used by women who are pregnant or nursing (because it hasn’t been tested in these populations.)

Secondly, because it’s oil based, Zestra can’t be used with latex condoms (oil based products break down latex condoms.) However, Zestra is safe to use with POLYURETHANE condoms, as they are specially designed for use with oil-based products. If you’re looking for a condom that’s made of polyurethane, Trojan Supra Bareskin is one option.

Sidebar: When I told a group of friends that I was going to be reviewing Zestra, the ones who were most interested in the product were the recent Moms in the group. Go figure. After all, it’s totally normal to experience a decrease in sexual desire after giving birth and/or while you’re breastfeeding.

So, while I understand the reasoning behind both of these precautions, I hope that the makers of Zestra will consider developing a similar product that is compatible for both latex condom users and women who are pregnant/breastfeeding. My experience with Zestra was really positive and I think the more people who are able to also benefit from it, the better.

At the end of the day, I can’t say how this product would work for someone else – I can only share my experiences, which were positive. However, I could definitely see Zestra being very helpful to anyone hoping to give their sex life a jolt. Like I mentioned above, it’s like a really good shot of espresso…in your pants.

Has anyone else tried Zestra or something similar?

This post was brought to you by Zestra. I received free samples of the product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own because that’s how I roll. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog.

A Cozy Holiday Giveaway From Pure Romance

Kicking The Holidays Off with a Sexy Gift Guide from Unbound