Posts by Joan Price
Give your clitoris some joy with the Womanizer Premium, Eco, or Liberty!
Womanizer Liberty, Premium, Eco
I encountered the first Womanizer clitoral stimulator in 2015, and I was shocked by the name. Did this German company really name a vulva sexual-pleasure product after the generic philanderer, a man who uses and deceives women? But because the quality was so marvelous, I got used to the name.
It was similar to getting used to the name “iPad,” which also shocked me when it came out in 2010. “Why would Apple name a new product after a woman’s sanitary napkin?” I asked my friends. “Don’t any women work at Apple?” I got used to it. I’ve forgiven both Apple and Womanizer for jarring my sensibilities.
I’ve been reviewing Womanizer products ever since, and each iteration delights even more. The two newest Womanizers that I own — the Premium Eco and Premium — are so wonderful that I can’t choose which I like best. Both models, like all Womanizer sex toys, use “Pleasure Air Technology”: air pulses with vibrations. The combo feels like gentle sucking and vibrating at the same time. For best results, use water-based lubricant on both your clitoris and the stimulator head. Luscious. Orgasmic.
Although they look similar in the photo except for color, and they do feel similar in use, they are made of different materials and each has unique qualities. For clarity, I’ll refer to the Premium Eco as “Eco” to differentiate it from the “Premium” (non-Eco).
Here’s what the two models have in common:
- 12 intensity levels, from subtle to yowza. As power-hungry as I am, I don’t need the strongest setting, and that’s rare for me.
- “Smart Silence.” It’s only active when it’s in contact with your skin. That means no fumbling to turn it off if interrupted, or if you need to add more lube. Just break contact with your skin and it goes into standby mode until it touches you again. Sweet.
- Two stimulator heads of slightly different shapes and sizes so your clitoris gets the fit she likes. The head pops off for cleaning.
- Ergonomic design. The shape is easy to hold, and there are no vibrations in the handle — which my arthritic wrist appreciates greatly. The controls are simple to use without looking, and you won’t accidentally turn it off.
- Easy USB charging with magnetic connection.
- 5-year warranty coverage for all Womanizer products.
Here’s how these two models differ:
- They turn on and off differently.
- Start the Eco by pressing the “+” button until the little light goes on. Note that the motor won’t start until the head is in contact with your skin. Turn it off by pressing and holding the “-” button.
Premium power button
- Turn the Premium on or off by pressing and holding the tiny power button above the three dots near the end of the handle. Use the “+” or “-” button to increase or decrease the intensity.
- Start the Eco by pressing the “+” button until the little light goes on. Note that the motor won’t start until the head is in contact with your skin. Turn it off by pressing and holding the “-” button.
- Getting wet: The Eco is splash-proof only. The Premium is completely waterproof.
- “Autopilot.” On the Premium, when this feature is activated, intensity levels alternate randomly. This doesn’t appeal to me because I like to be in charge of the intensity, but if you like surprises, this could be a cool feature.
- Manuals.
- The Eco manual is short, to the point, clearly written and illustrated with diagrams, always black print on white page. And if you lose the booklet, here it is online. Save this link because when it’s time to recycle, it tells you how.
- The Premium, however, includes a hefty, multi-language booklet with — get this! — white print on a pinkish-beige page. C’mon, Womanizer, we’ve got some old eyes here. In other words, it’s illegible. Because I like to save the day when I can, I’ve tracked down a PDF version of the manual with print you can read and enlarge to your eyes’ content. You’re welcome.
illegible Premium manual
What’s Special about the Eco?
Eco disassembled into recyclable parts
Eco is made with bio-based material that is also biodegradable. The whole thing is recyclable (once disassembled, which the manual illustrates). The amount of plastic is drastically reduced. Inside is a 14500 cylindrical 3.7 V lithium-ion rechargeable battery which may need to be replaced eventually. Even the cord and bag are environment-friendly.
What About Travel?
Tuck the lovely little Liberty into your travel bag for orgasms on the go. The Liberty lives in a sleek, beautifully shaped case that is magnetized so that the two halves seal together. Of course it’s not as strong as the bigger models, but it still packs a punch with 6 intensity levels. And it’s waterproof!
Note that the Liberty turns both on and off by pressing and holding the “+” button. It would be nice if all the models used the same on-off process, but if that’s my only complaint, no need to get grumpy about it.
Womanizer + Clitoris = Orgasm
Despite the name, Womanizer products have been delighting clitoris owners for years. I’ve personally reviewed six models here, and only one, the Starlet, disappointed. From the first utterly garish model to the current elegant deliverers of delight, Womanizer sex toys are among my top choices for dependable, euphoric orgasms. Of course we’re all different, and the “pleasure air technology” may or may not be your path to pleasure. Speaking as one 78-year-old woman, it sure does it for me.
In case you’re wondering why almost every sex toy that I review gets a rave recommendation:
Yes, I test my share of vibrators that disappoint. But why waste your time or mine reviewing a product that you don’t need to know about? (Exception: if the product gets a lot of undeserved hype, or is so hilariously unsexy that I want you to laugh with me, like the Orgasmatron 3-corded jackhammer and the Siime Eye for vaginal selfies.)
Most of the vibrators that I decide not to review aren’t bad, but they’re nothing special. Maybe they’re not close to strong enough, or they’re awkward to use, or they’re like so many others that there’s not much new to say. I don’t want you to have to wade through reviews of products that aren’t stellar when there are gems that I want you to know about that you might not encounter on your own. I realize that a sex toy that leaves me “eh!” might strike someone else as “yeah!” so I’m not going to pan it, I just don’t review it. My sex toy providers understand that sending me a product is not a guarantee of a review.
LAT (Living Apart Together) for Seniors By Mac Marshall
copyright OurMindfulLife,com, used with permission.
Many of us over 60 are widowed, divorced, or maybe single our whole lives. We’ve gotten used to being independent. We’ve created a life for ourselves, with our own routines, habits, activities, and friends. We’re happy living on our own.
Then we meet someone — and ka boom!
Hearts aflutter, sex drive in high gear, intimacy is ours. We fall in love. Our closeness grows. We feel a strong commitment to each other. Our next step must be…
No, no, no! We don’t want to get married. We don’t even want to live together.
We relish our visits — especially the overnight ones! — and we equally relish the return to our own home afterwards. For many of us, the idea of marriage or even cohabitation may be unattractive, undesirable, or unworkable. Because of our personalities or our circumstances, we don’t want to mingle homes, finances, and legal obligations. Fortunately, there’s a lifestyle choice and relationship modality that describes what we want, and many of us are living that way now.
LAT is shorthand for “living apart together.” LAT is a long-term, committed, romantic connection without an intent to share a home.
LAT presents an attractive long-term relationship alternative to traditional marriage. It is a lifestyle choice—a new emergent family form, especially among older adults.
In a LAT relationship, a couple who’ve developed strong, loving feelings for one another nevertheless choose to reside separately. Usually, they get together on a regular basis, but each retains a separate abode. People in a LAT relationship treasure their times together, and they equally value their autonomy and alone time. LAT offers the separation that complements our need for togetherness. For many, it provides the best of both worlds.
Why might you, as seniors, prefer a LAT relationship over marriage or living together?
- You each maintain your own home and private space.
- You each retain and interact with your own friends and social network.
- You each keep control over your own finances.
- You each pursue activities and hobbies which may not interest the other partner.
- You rely on each other for emotional intimacy and support without being together all the time.
- You celebrate your personal autonomy concurrent with the joy of regular close companionship.
- By not cohabiting 24/7, the time you spend together is ever sweeter.
Does LAT appeal to you? Do you live that way now? Any tips for readers who are considering LAT? We welcome your comments, experiences, and questions.
Mac Marshall, PhD is a retired anthropology professor, researcher, and author who is delighted to explore sexuality studies at this time of his life.
We-Vibe Touch X and Tango X: updates that make a difference
My vulva and I first encountered the Touch and Tango external vibrators from We-Vibe in 2012. The Touch quickly became my favorite travel vibrator because the small size bestowed powerful vibrations. Over the years We-Vibe improved these two fine vibrators by making them more rumbly, more powerful, more ergonomic, easier to charge. The new Tango X and Touch X are the latest iterations of these pleasure tools, and they’re marvelous.
Touch X
So much to love about the Touch X! Despite its tiny size, the vibrations are strong, and the shape is ideal for a senior vulva that needs strong stimulation. You can use it several ways:
- Cup the clitoris in the curved, shallow, bowl-like section.
- Hold it upright with the pointy tip on the clitoris or the clitoral hood.
- Cover the clitoris and labia with the Touch held lengthwise, pointy tip either at the entrance to the vagina or on the clitoral hood, your choice.
- Give the clitoris extra stimulation during partner sex (penetrative or not).
- What else? Let me know in the comments how you like to use it, if you’re willing to share.
Touch X (blue) + Touch (purple)
Reviewing the 2018 Touch, I was ecstatic about the improvements. Everything I liked then is even better now in 2021, I am thrilled anew by the power, comfort, and shape of the Touch X.
I don’t know if this will be an annoyance for you, but as you can tell if you enlarge the photos, the Touch X is a lint magnet. Just wash it before use as well as after. The feel of the matte silicone is worth it. Use plenty of water-based lubricant for optimal pleasure.
Tango X
Tango (white) and Tango X (red)
Use Tango X’s pointy tip, flat end, or the whole surface area for external stimulation however and wherever you want it: clitoris, vulva, nipples, penis, scrotum. Use it solo or with a partner during PIV or any other preferred sexual expression.
The redesigned Tango X sports a silicone handle which makes it easy to hold, even with lubed fingers. The earlier plastic Tango models, while enjoyable, were super slippery to hold while using lubricant. If I didn’t hold it tightly, it might jump right out of my hand and send me scurrying to capture it in the bedsheets.
If I did hold it tightly, the vibrations transmitted directly to my hand, intensifying my wrist arthritis and making it problematic to hold for any length of time. Although I still feel the vibrations in my hand with Tango X, the intensity is dampened by the silicone layer, so it’s less bothersome. This is a huge improvement for those of us with arthritis.
Both Touch X and Tango X
Touch X controls
Both Tango X and Touch X will delight you with 8 vibrational intensities and 7 patterns, and these can be combined. In other words, if you like the boop-boop-cha-cha-cha pattern, you can make the intensity subtle or yowza or anything in between. Earlier models let you choose an intensity or a pattern, but not both.
Tango X controls
The controls have been redesigned and are much improved. Earlier models had one control button at the end. You pressed it for different intensities and patterns, cycling through the possibilities to find the right setting. The Tango X has raised buttons for “+” and “-” and a separate “~” button for patterns, making it much easier to find a preferred setting.
Charging is also easier than earlier models, which had a magnetic charger that slipped off easily, leaving your vibrator sitting there uncharged. The new versions also charge magnetically, but now the magnets won’t disengage until you pull them apart.
Touch X and Tango X are waterproof for bath time fun!
Which would you like best?
That’s a matter of personal preference, of course. The two vibrators behave similarly, but with an entirely different design and therefore a different feel. If you prefer pinpoint clitoral stimulation, you’ll like Tango X . If you like more overall vulva sensation (which stimulates the internal clitoris as well as the external nub), you’ll get that with Touch X. If you like varying pinpoint and overall, Touch X does both. If you want a toy that feels especially delightful to a penis, Tango X will get your vote.
Speaking of penises!
These toys are marketed for vulvas, but the design, power, and sensations will have your penis of choice shivering with pleasure. The Tango especially is just right for your penis owner’s solo or partnered play. For partnered play, turn it on and try some or all of these:
- Roll the length of the Tango up, down, and around the consenting penis’s shaft.
- Target the consenting frenulum with the flat end.
- Use it on the scrotum during while the consenting penis is in your mouth
Try this:
For an extra zing, try chilling them first: see Refrigerator Sex.
NŌS Vibrating Cock Ring: Review by Shamus MacDuff
The Fun Factory NŌS, available from Betty’s Toy Box, is an outstanding new vibrating cock ring. I have enjoyed it immensely during solo sex. Stretching the ring over a flaccid penis, NŌS quickly brings an erection when the motor is turned on. Moving it to different positions on the shaft yields various pleasing sensations.
My own favorite position is to point the motorized ends downward and inward so that they contact my scrotum. Revving up the power then produces wonderful vibrations all over my genitals. Rub a dab of water-based lube on the frenulum, and an orgasm will soon follow.
Generally, the controls on the center button work well. However, they are somewhat difficult to operate with lubed fingers. The solution is to start NŌS before slipping it onto your penis and before using lube. It’s then easier to change the settings with or without lube on one’s fingers.
The name NŌS derives from the Latin for “we/ours.” It also means “us” in Spanish and Portuguese. This name was chosen specifically to indicate that—in Fun Factory’s marketing lingo—it is “a cock ring for both of you.” “Both of you” clearly refers to a heterosexual couple who wish to “come together” and orgasm simultaneously during penis-in-vagina
(PIV) intercourse.
NŌS is designed to facilitate this “coming together.” It fits around the penis and at the same time can hug the partner’s clitoris with its vibrating pincher-like tips. The expectation is that a couple can sync their orgasms. Fun Factory claims that “you’ll climax together harder than ever.”
The likelihood of that happening even occasionally strikes me as a tall order. Especially for us older folks, the chance of both people getting exactly the kind of stimulation they need at that same moment is unlikely and puts unreasonable pressure on the couple — and on the vibrator. Instead, experiment with the variety of ways to use the NŌS, see what feels good to each of you separately, then explore using it during PIV if you wish. Let your goal be pleasure, not a fantasy simultaneous orgasm.
To their credit, Fun Factory mentions several ways to use NŌS other than trying to produce orgasms for two people at the same time, such as wearing it on your hand as a finger vibe for your partner.
NŌS is — as Fun Factory hopes — also effective in partner sex, although not necessarily in the way they emphasize. In what my vulva owning partner and I affectionately call “old people sex,” we seldom engage in PIV, far preferring lots of stroking and oral and manual play. Two ways that we enjoy using it on me:
- Oral: NŌS is a wonderful adjunct to fellatio. Installing NŌS at the base of my penis, also touching my scrotum, my partner slowly increases the vibration level as oral sex proceeds. She giggles when she feels the NŌS-generated vibrations of my penis transmit to her mouth. What do I feel? Bliss.
- Manual: My partner holds NŌS in her hand and applies the vibrating double end to sensitive spots on my penis, scrotum, and nipples, which I find very stimulating!
NŌS is a great addition to anyone’s sex toy collection. Don’t expect it to magically provide the rare simultaneous orgasm. But do recognize it as an effective, versatile little sex toy. Some of its many qualities:
- Made of body-safe silicone
-
magnetic charging buttons
Waterproof
- Quiet during use
- Four speeds plus one pattern
- Recharging is easy via the included handy magnetic charger.
- Vibrations are remarkably strong for its small size
- Ideal size for travel
I heartily recommend Fun Factory’s NŌS. You’ll be happy to own one!
Note from Shamus MacDuff’s clitoris-owning lover:
Volta
I love Fun Factory toys — especially the Volta and Limba Flex! — but this one did not work for me as a clitoris vibrator. The so-called clit extensions felt hard, and it was too easy to accidentally pinch myself when trying to manipulate it for my own pleasure. I loved using it on Shamus, but for myself, I’ll grab the Volta from my Fun Factory toy bag.
Caution: Cock rings are safe when used properly. Wear for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. If it hurts, remove it. Do not use if you have a blood/bleeding condition.
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— Shamus MacDuff was oblivious to the delights of sex toys for penises until age 73. He’s been making up for lost time! Read his other posts here.