INS AND OUTS- VIBRATOR EDITION
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Well it’s a beautiful Monday here in Van City, and what better way to start the week off than with some choice sex toy tips. For this, the first week of Ins and Outs, I thought we’d start off with a discussion about one of the most well known, and at the same time complicated sex toys, the almighty vibrator.
Now you’re probably thinking, “Vibrators, really? What’s so complicated about a vibrator?” Well the truth my friends is that in the world of vibrators there are a galaxy of shapes, sizes, materials, and functions. For someone who is trying to pick out their first vibrator sifting through all the options can be intimidating and confusing, to say the least. So in an effort to make the process a lot more fun and a little less over whelming, I put together this handy dandy guide that should help shed some light on the subject.
If you happen to be one of those lucky people who already own a vibrator, or several, read through the guide below, and if I missed anything or if you have any tips you think would be useful let me know at [email protected] Please put “Ins and Outs” in the subject heading.
Ok let’s get started!
So the very first thing you need to know when you go into a Love shop to buy your first vibartor is that we (the sales staff) have heard it all. Seriously. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You may think they’re silly or embarrassing but trust me they aren’t. It’s important that you have all the information you need in order to make an informed decision. No staff member is going to make you feel silly for asking questions, and if they do, they aren’t good at their job and you should go somewhere else.
Do you feel a bit braver now? Good. Let’s move on.
Types of Vibrators
So the second thing you should know is that there are 3 main types of vibrators, Clitoral/external, G-spot, and Multivibe, and while they all vibrate, they are meant to be used in different ways.
Clitoral/external vibrators like this one by we vibe:
Are made for…you guessed it, stimulating the clitoris. These vibrators are meant for external stimulation and are not meant to be inserted. You could insert them if you really wanted to but their shape would make that difficult and probably uncomfortable. This category also includes wands like the legendary Hitachi (which for simplicity’s sake will not be discussed in this post)
G-Spot vibes on the other hand are meant to be inserted and stimulate the G-spot. And depending on the shape they are also great for external stimulation.
Finally Multivibes like the Iconic Rabbit by Jimmy Jane:
are meant to stimulate both your G-spot and your clitoris at the same time.
So you’re probably asking yourself “Which is the right one for me?” Not surprisingly that isn’t an easy question to answer if you’ve never owned a vibrator and don’t be discouraged if you don’t know. Keep in mind that the answer to this question varies from person to person. So if you don’t know, don’t worry, it’s not unusual to have no idea. The reality is that you often have to experiment a little before you can decide what works for you and what doesn’t. I myself learned through trial and error that I don’t really like things vibrating in my vagina, so I opt for external stimulation and a dildo, but that’s just my personal preference. So if you don’t know it’s best to choose a vibrator that can allow you to experiment with different types of stimulation.
With that in mind I always recommend G-spot vibrators (with one exception) for first timers. Because you can use them internally and externally, they will give you the most varied experience, and allow you to decide what works for you and what doesn’t. So for the rest of this post we will focus on G-spot vibrators, and will discuss the other types in future posts.
So now that we’ve covered the types of vibrators, let’s briefly discuss the different features that are available.
Battery vs Rechargeable
Here in the future vibrators with rechargeable batteries are a thing, and they’re fantastic. The only drawback is that they’re typically more expensive than their battery operated counterparts, but when you factor in all the money you save on batteries they’re totally worth it. That being said, for a first time vibrator I wouldn’t recommend shelling out for a rechargeable unless you can get a good one for under $100. Until you know what you like you don’t want to drop serious cash on a toy only to find out you don’t like it.
Waterproof vs Not Waterproof
Waterproof is great. I recommend trying to get a waterproof one if you can. Even if you don’t intend to use it in the bath or shower, you’ll have the option if you ever change your mind, and you won’t risk damaging it when you are cleaning it.
Material
The scope of this topic is such that we couldn’t possibly cover it all in this one post. So I’m going to keep to the basics.
1. They sex toy industry is completely unregulated in terms of what materials can go into sex toys.
2. As a result stay away from Jellies, and any other materials that aren’t 100% silicone or hard plastic. If it doesn’t say 100% silicone, don’t buy it. The reason is that there is no way to know how much silicone is actually in it and you don’t want to end up putting potentially toxic chemicals in your body.
3. 100% Silicone and hard plastic are the best, because they are non-porous and therefore don’t collect bacteria, and are easy to clean and sterilize.
So now that we’ve covered the basics here are 4 vibrators that are great for a first time vibe.
1. The Hip G
This guy may not look all that impressive, but what she lacks in looks she makes up for in performance. This vibrator has been one of the best-selling vibrators on the market for YEARS. It’s shape is perfect for G-spot stimulation and also works well for clitoral stimulation. It is made from hard plastic so it’s easy to clean. It is waterproof, and battery operated and the vibration intensity is controlled by a nob on the bottom. It is the exception to the cheap rule (see below), as it only costs around $30.
2. Butterfly Kiss
Now I know I said to stay way from Multivibes for a first vibrator but this is the exception. This is the Butterfly Kiss, it is a great little G-spot vibe with added clitoral stimulator. It has 3 speeds, is waterproof, is made from 100% silicone, and is battery operated. If you are eyeing up the Multivibes, this is a good place to start because it will let you get an idea of what simultaneous stimulation feels like without breaking the bank. Retails for around $50
3. Moka
This one is made by Pico Bong, an off shoot of Lelo which is a reputable manufacturer. It’s shape makes it an excellent G-spot vibe. It also has a flatter head which makes it good for clitoral stimulation as well. It’s 100% silicone, waterproof, and battery operated. Retails for $69.95.
4. The Bella
If you are looking for an affordable rechargeable option the Bella is a good place to start. It has a similar shape to the Moka, so it’s great for G-spot and clitoral stimulation. It is also waterproof, and 100% silicone. Retails for around $90
Basic things to keep in mind
Price point and brand name:
Just a quick note on price. Toys could be categorized into three price points. Low, middle, and high. 10 years ago you could spend $50 on toy and chances were it would be good quality. Now however you can spend $50 and it could be total garbage. Price is no longer a reflection of quality. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get a great toy for $50, it just means that you have to do some research beforehand. When shopping stay away from the cheapo toys. They won’t last long, and you’ll end up disappointed. Shoot for the middle. Anticipate spending between $50 to $80 on your first vibrator. A few of the high end brands have mid-range lines that are great for beginners. PicoBong, by Lelo, for instance makes great quality toys that are available at a reasonable price point.
Multivibes:
I just wanted to clarify why I would not recommend a Multivibe for a first vibrator. Don’t get me wrong, Multivibes are great, however I would consider them a more advanced toy, and typically for people who know that they like to have clitoral and G-spot stimulation simultaneously. The other reason I don’t recommend them for first time buyers is because the good ones are more expensive. Totally worth it if you know what you like, but it would suck to spend $150 only to find out that simultaneous stimulation is not your jam.
Don’t get discouraged:
Figuring out what gets you off is sometimes effortless, but at other times takes a little bit of trial and error. Don’t be discouraged if you buy a vibrator and are totally underwhelmed by the results. The first vibrator I bought, I hated. It didn’t work for me and I was pissed because I had dropped $90 dollars on it. The good thing about that experience, though, was that I learned what I didn’t like, and I was able to make a better decision when I bought my next vibrator (which worked out great). What I’m trying to say is if at first you don’t climax, try, try again.
Well that about wraps things up for this post. I didn’t intend for this to be so long, but honestly this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Vibrators. Hopefully you’ll find this information useful, and if you’re in Van City and want help picking out a toy come on down to our store, The Art of Loving. As I said before if you have anything to add or have any questions you can get a hold of me at [email protected]
Until next Monday!