Sexy Seniors’ Holiday Gift Guide 2014


Searching for a sexy gift for your lover or yourself?

2014 has been a great year for innovative sex toys! Here are my favorites from December 2013 to December 2014:

Palm Power: New favorite vibrator! Drum roll, please: Introducing the Palm Power, a lightweight, ergonomically designed product that packs so much power into a small, silicone topped vibrator that it jumped to #1 on my personal Hit Parade the first time I used it. And the second time. And… you get the picture. I continue to be amazed at how a vibrator this small can deliver such intense vibrations. With the different caps available, this vibrator is versatile for any gender body.

Doxy – a power tool: Oh my. I wouldn’t have imagined that a vibrator this strong existed. I don’t even need to take it to the highest power setting to send me spinning into space. Even the low settings are strong and they’re rumbly rather than buzzy. A really strong wand vibrator. If you or your loved one needs extra power, Doxy delivers.

Men, you’ll love the Pulse! Presenting… The Pulse, a pulsing, oscillating, amazing vibrator for men that does not require an erection for his pleasure! That’s right — unlike other vibrating “sleeves,” the penis does not have to be hard to start enjoying it. Spread open the flexible flaps, rest your penis in it, turn it on, and enjoy the sensations. The Pulse is the perfect gift for the penis in your life.

Iroha: Cutest Vibrators Ever. The Iroha Rechargeable Silicone Vibrators, available in three styles and shapes, are adorable and cushy. I want to cuddle and squeeze them. And yes, they’re dynamic little vibrators — though not turbo power. The vibrator has a cushy layer, covered by a body-safe silicone skin. It’s not soft through and through (there’s a motor in there) — just a layer — so you can press firmly and feel just a little cushioning, or press lightly, and it all feels soft. Delightful.

Minna Limon: Cute, Squeezable VibratorI like my new Minna Limon so much that I’m starting to think of it almost as a pet rather than a product. It’s cute, touchable, squeezable, fun to play with, and responsive. But no, it’s not a pet — it’s a vibrator, and it’s a delight. This is a great gift for a loved one, a pal, or yourself. It works like this: Power it on with the button, then squeeze the sides of the Limon. The harder you squeeze, the stronger the intensity, though it never gets super strong. 
Original Magic Wand + Accessories. The Magic Wand has been around since the 1970s, almost as long as I’ve been having vibrator-assisted orgasms, and it’s been responsible for a good many of them. It was called the Hitachi Magic Wand until recently. (I reviewed it here.) Now, after Hitachi sold distribution rights to Vibratex, it’s the Original Magic Wand. So the new Magic Wand is called the “original,” and it’s as strong as ever — and much less pricey than most quality sex toys.
Buy nowIf you’d like to give a sex-themed gift that isn’t a vibrator, consider 
ÜberlubeNeed a stocking stuffer? 
  • An elegant bottle or refillable case of Überlube, a superbly comfortable, slick, long-lasting, silicone lubricant. (Fine with condoms, not with silicone sex toys.) You can even use it to style your hair or eliminate chafing during sports.
  • Condom sampler from Lucky Bloke: great variety, including some brands you’ve never heard of. And don’t you want to do business with a company whose motto is “Have more sex and save the world”?
  • Blossom Organics Natural Moisturizing Lubricant or Warm Sensation Lubricant, pH balanced for female bodies. (Fine with condoms and with silicone sex toys.) If she likes arousal gels, the Pure Pleasure Arousal Gel is, as it claims, pure pleasure, adding an extra tingle!
Blossom Organics

Iroha Mikazuki and Minamo: soft, slender, gentle vibrators


Squishy soft, slim, and ergonomically designed to embrace the vulva, the Iroha Mikazuki and Minamo will delight you if you need or prefer a slender and gentle vibrator.These smooth silicone vibrators can be inserted vaginally or used externally over the clitoris and surrounding area. (It is not designed for anal insertion.)Differences:

    • Mikazuki is a soft yellow color and has a smooth, slightly curved shape. The tip is soft and squishy; the rest has just a bit of cushion. The tip is .7 inch in diameter, progressing to 1.1″ midway to 1.4″ just above the controls.

 

  • Minamo is light blue and has a wavy shape. The waves and tip are soft and squishy. The tip is .9″ in diameter, progressing to 1.3″ at the larger wave.

Pros:

    • Slender, smooth, and soft enough for vaginal insertion by those who experience pain or discomfort with penetration and for external comfort on older, thinner genital skin. (Of course, use plenty of water-based lubricant.)
    • Can fit easily between bodies for extra clitoral stimulation during partner sex.
    • Controls are easy to see and use, even with lubed fingers. Use the big button to turn it on and progress through higher intensities; use the little button to decrease intensity or turn it off. You don’t even need your reading glasses!
    • Body-safe, high-quality materials.
    • Rechargeable.
Demo of squishy tip
  • Waterproof for use in the tub or shower.

Cons:

  • Although the settings are supposed to be low, medium, high, and pulse, the highest setting is what I would call medium. It’s not powerful enough for those of us who need really strong vibrations.
  • Because they’re shaped for both external and internal use, the shape does not easily find the G-spot when used internally.
  • Expensive (but you’re paying for high-quality materials and design).

 

These rechargeable vibrators come in a storage case that is also a charging case. Plug the cord via USB or wall adapter.  Note that when it’s charging, a steady light will stay on. That confused me (until I read the directions), because most rechargeable vibrators display a pulsing light while charging, and a steady light when fully charged. Not these.

Is one of these vibrators for you? Yes, if you want a toy that is slimmer and softer than most. (Many of you have told me that most vibrators are too girthy or hard.) No, if you need powerful vibrations or larger girth.

(See also my review of the Iroha Midori, Yuki, and Sakura, the cutest vibrators ever.)

 

Thank you, Good Vibrations, for sending me the Iroha Mikazuki and Minamo  to review.

 

Doxy – a power tool

When Roylin Downs, owner of Trystology, told me that I had to try the Doxy Wand, I believed her. She knows my preference for intense vibrators, even if that means that they’re heavy and need to be plugged in.

Oh my. I wouldn’t have imagined that a vibrator this strong existed. I don’t even need to take it to the highest power setting to send me spinning into space. Even the low settings are strong and they’re rumbly rather than buzzy. If you cycle from the lowest to the highest setting, it sounds like a plane taking off.

Doxy vs length of my arm.

Be aware that when you first turn it on, it doesn’t start at the lowest setting, but at higher than mid-point. From there, use the “+” or “-” to turn it up or down. There’s also a pulse setting activated by holding down the power button for two seconds, then releasing, but I have to admit that I didn’t bother with that.

What can I say? It works hard, and it works quickly, even for this almost 71-year-old, slow-burning  woman.

I generally prefer vibrators that are easy on arthritic wrists — this one is not. It’s heavy, it’s huge, and I would be in pain from trying to hold it for any length of time. However, that’s irrelevant, because it works so fast that my wrist barely notices. Yes, it’s that good.

“But how does it compare to the Magic Wand?” you’re asking. It’s bigger. (“Bigger?! No way!” Yes, bigger.) And heavier. The cord is longer. All those sound bad, but it’s not bad because all that size is necessary for the power it delivers.

As far as intensity goes, the Doxy feels stronger, but it may just seem that way because the head is larger and covers more territory.

I also like Doxy’s head more than the Magic Wand’s because Doxy is more cushy. Strong and soft are a great combination.

The head is made of medical grade PVC, according to the tiny, mini-font instruction booklet. I didn’t know that PVC plastic can be medical-grade, but I looked it up, and it’s phthalate-free and used for things like oxygen bags, drainage bags, and medical tubing. I know that doesn’t sound very sexy  except to my fellow sex geeks who get excited at learning about sex toys made of body-safe materials.

You can use water-based or silicone-based lubricants with Doxy, but not oil-based lubes.

No pouch included, which is shameful. An expensive sex toy should always come with its own pouch, especially since you’re not likely to have anything around large enough to store it in. Maybe a knee-high sock, if you happen to have a spare. Doxy comes in a cardboard box that’s even more enormous than it requires — not the best storage solution unless you have a large, empty drawer.

The mini-instruction booklet has all the requisite warnings — don’t use under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or on inflamed skin, or if pregnant, or in water, etc. The warning that makes no sense to me is this: “Do not use… if you are under the age of 16.” Why the heck not? I wish I had owned this vibrator when I was 15!

Thank you, Roylin and Trystology, for sending me the Doxy Wand, highly recommended for all of us who need extra power in our sex toys and have room in our drawer for a 15-inch-long vibrator! Available in white or black.

Amorino: a twisted sex toy

When I first saw a photo of the Amorino, I was mystified. Why put a twisted rubber band on a vibrator? Bondage is one thing, but on a vibrator? What an odd sex toy — I had to try it. Fortunately, the good folks at Good Vibrations were eager to send me one.I discovered with pleasure that this strange little vibrator can be used in a variety of ways, and  I had  fun experimenting with it.

Let’s start with the bare vibrator. Without the band, the medical-grade silicone mini-vibe can be used as a “rabbit”-style vibrator for dual stimulation of the clitoris and vagina.

The insertable length is only 3 inches, and the width is just 1.25 inches. This smaller size suits many of us older women just fine. The surface is smooth, and both tips are soft and a bit flexible, another plus.

So why the yellow band?  I was skeptical at first: Why would anyone want to add a rubber band to a vibrator?

Actually, I discovered, the band adds a strange and quite pleasant sensation, almost like it’s “strumming” your vulva. Instead of inserting the shaft fully, just insert it shallowly (or not at all) and let the band play over your clitoris and labia. Pleasant, fun (it’s made by Fun Factory, after all), and sexier than you might imagine.

How do you attach the band?

1. You can loop it around the vibrator (there are indentations to keep it from slipping).

2. You can loop it over the top, twist it once, then loop it over the bottom.

3. You can twist it twice.

Experiment and enjoy! In case you’re wondering what havoc that twisted band might wreak on pubic hair, I was happy to discover that it did not catch or pull. Your experience may vary.

The Amorino may also be used anally, but only without the band.

Is the Amorino strong enough to bring older women to orgasm? You may not need the intensity I do, in which case the small but mighty Amorino will make you very happy.

For me, it felt good, very good, but it wasn’t quite strong enough. I’ve come to enjoy several of my feels-nice-but-not-quite-strong-enough-to-get-me-there vibrators for a yummy, slow arousal. Then I grab one of my stand-bys (Magic Wand, Eroscillator, or — my recent find — Palm Power) for a happy ending.

The  Amorino comes with a USB charger. Once charged, no cords. And it’s waterproof!

I wouldn’t recommend the Amorino as your first or only vibrator, but if you’re a connoisseur of sex toys, as — ahem! — many of us are, I think you’ll find this an entertaining and pleasurable addition. Or, as some reviewers do (hello, Dangerous Lilly!), you may find it too gimmicky. I’m in the first camp — I like it. I don’t love it, but I like it a lot.

Thank you, Good Vibrations and Fun Factory, for providing me  with the Amorino in exchange for an honest review from a senior perspective.