Support Dildology.org

Last week, I posted a link to Dildology.org, along with a simple explanation of what they do. Today, I want to get deeper into that, since I’m proud to be part of the Dildology.org Blog Carnival!

So what is Dildology?

In their own words… “The sex toy industry is on the rise, yet it remains largely unregulated. Dildology.org intends to provide material verification services and maintain a public database of the results, adding transparency and oversight to the industry while educating the public about the science behind pleasure products. We stand on our own, unaffiliated and uninfluenced, and we are dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of the dildo-loving population at large through education (and maybe a little entertainment).”

Crista, Lilly, and Crista’s partner V want to know what the hell is in our sex toys, and they’re tired of relying on faulty manufacturer information to find out. Did you know that absolutely nothing – no one – stops manufacturers from claiming “phthalate free”, even if their product is actually 30-50% phthalates? Are you as angry as we are now? You should be!

The goal of Dildology.org is to provide 100% comprehensive, independent testing, which is very expensive. Testing for each toy is $200-$450, which is quite a chunk.They are purchasing toys directly from locations around the US, and are refusing toys offered by manufacturers so as to remain 100% objective. (They are, however, taking product donations from third-party retailers – if you run a store and want to help, hit them up.)

At this time, they need $20,000 to start this amazing project, and you can help. They’re offering some awesome rewards to get started, including a 15% off SheVibe coupon when you donate $15 or more and a baller Dildologist t-shirt when you donate $50!

In addition to their donation perks, if you are a blogger and donate more than $15 to Dildology, I will give you a code for a free 1 month advertising slot, which you can use now or for the month of June (or, if a ton of you donate, I’ll queue you up and let you know when your month will come). Shoot me an email after you donate, and once I confirm your donation, we’ll get you set up through PassionFruit.

G-Spotting, Like an O.G.

Before CatalystCon, I was lamenting to Sandra of SheVibe that I could not manage to have a G-spot orgasm. I love using my Vixen Creations Mustang in tandem with some of my favorite clitoral vibes, but pure G-spot satisfaction had eluded me.  I couldn’t do it during sex or alone, and I’ve been reviewing toys for almost a year and a half now.

Enter, Marc Dorcel.  I received a So Silicone Dildo and an Expert G Vibrator, both pink and both 100% silicone.  Piph may not be a pink fan, but I have to say, I love the hue Dorcel chose for these toys.  It’s the kind of pink I’d want my hair to be if I thought I could pull it off. Both toys are absolutely 100% silicone, because as I am wont to do, I lit them on fire with a Bic, with stunning results: Ash, but no change to the materials otherwise. A++ for quality!  I do find the silicone a bit more matte than I like, but not nearly as grabby as WeVibe’s silicone. For either toy, water-based lube is a must (I used Good Clean Love and Sliquid Sassy).

Before we go any further, we need to have a quick discussion about dildos.  I know a lot of toy novices look at dildos and wonder, “WHY?” We need to get one thing straight right now: It doesn’t have to vibrate to feel awesome. Your vagina (or anus) has tons of nerve endings, and vibration is only one of many sensations that can feel pleasurable.  Some people don’t enjoy internal vibration because it’s either too much for them or it just doesn’t do the trick.  A well constructed, and especially a nicely textured, dildo can be fantastic addition to your toy box.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get more specific.  I absolutely love the design of the Marc Dorcel So Dildo at first glance.  It’s beautiful, and the dual-ended design makes it easy to hold onto from either end.  Unfortunately, it’s also very flexible, which makes it difficult to really pinpoint the G-spot as well as I would like to.  I tried using the smaller end to stroke my G-spot, but the mega-flexible neck made it impossible to get the pressure I needed. The larger end is just too much for me.

If I were to improve the So Dildo, I would suggest making it dual-density.  I realize that this would raise the price but I think it would be worth it, especially if the beautiful shape were retained.  By making the core of the dildo more firm, it would be much easier to actually stroke the G-spot and provide the necessary pressure.

On the other hand, the Expert G Vibrator was a home run. It is multi-speed, complete with patterns, but like most of my toys, I actually only used it on the first and second constant-vibe settings. What can I say? My vagina is a lightweight. The Expert G’s head is just bulbous enough to be perfect for the G-spot, but not so large that it’s uncomfortable.  The egg-on-a-stick design is very popular for G-spot toys, but this one is executed particularly well because the shaft is not much thinner than the bulbed head. So instead of getting great G-spot stimulation but feeling awkwardly empty otherwise, the Expert G gives your vaginal walls something to clench against during orgasm. And if my usage is any indication, you will orgasm. I did, even without clitoral stimulation, and it was phenomenal.

Thanks so much, SheVibe!

Leaving Adult Retail

After almost exactly a year, I’m leaving adult retail (for now).  I’m not really sure if or when I’ll get back into it.  Obviously, I’m not done with the industry.  I have a lot of reviews to catch up on, and I don’t plan to quit reviewing any time soon.  But I could not be more burnt out from answering the same questions and having the same sales frustrations, day after day.

I’ve learned that I’m just not someone who thinks in sales dollars.  I will not ever lie to you to get you to purchase something, and if I think a product is shit, I will tell you that (nicely).  A lot of products in the adult industry are absolute shit.  Phthalates, parabens, porous rubber…  It gets to be exhausting trying to wade through the sea of utter crap to help someone find a toy that’s well made and body safe.  In a mainstream sex shop, that’s fucking difficult.  (To clarify: I was never, ever asked to lie.  But saying anything good about a jelly rabbit is impossible for me, I can’t just gloss over the toxicity issue.)

I’m so, so thankful for shops that are paving the way toward a higher standard of quality products and sex education.  There are a lot of people standing on the shoulders of folks at Babeland and Good Vibrations, and if Catalyst Con was any indication, things will  get better.  I would absolutely love to work for any of the amazing sex-positive retailers, like SheVibe or Tantus, that I’ve met during this journey.  And yes, maybe I am name-dropping to plant the seeds for someone awesome to throw my name in the ring.

But, I digress.  What does this mean for you?  It means I have time and motivation to do shit like write reviews!  And spend the required time with myself to formulate opinions, to write those reviews!  Also, I’m going to try to bring back Lazy Sunday links, which I didn’t know was a Lonely Island song until someone thought I was clever.  In hindsight, I bet they were being sarcastic.  Hm.

I will be back for tomorrow’s resurrection of Lazy Sunday linkfest!

Always Make Back-ups // A re-introduction to Marvelous-Darling.com

If you’ve newly found my blog, from meeting me at CatalystCon or Googling things like “slut” or meeting me in real life, I want you to have some kind of introduction to this blog.

First of all, I didn’t take a giant break from November 2012 to March 2013 – I switched servers and lost all of my content. I’m still kicking myself for not backing up my files. Always back up your shit. That was some of the best stuff I’ve put out on this blog, and I grew my traffic so much during those months. I’m definitely afraid of hitting a standstill. In the next couple of weeks, I’m hoping to find a way to recover some of my old content. Unfortunately, I couldn’t access any of the caches that I was linked to, but I’m not ready to give up on my content yet.

In the mean time, I’m working on new content. You’ve already seen my two newest reviews: for the Vixen Mustang and the Vibratex Mystic Wand. (I feel like RuPaul, plugging my own stuff. …That came out wrong.) I still have 7 more to write. I think only 7. So far. Bring it on.

The good news is that I started blogging last February, so if you want to read a bunch of old posts, you now have fewer to wade through. That’s good news, right? Kind of?

Vixen Creations VixSkin Mustang

Earlier this year, Vixen Creations was kind enough to send me the VixSkin dildo of my choice. Since I’m quite the opposite of a size queen, but wanted something I wouldn’t grow out of, I went with the special Tie Bright edition of their best selling Mustang.

The Mustang measures 6 1/2″ long, and is 1 5/8″ in diameter at its widest point. It’s a realistic dildo, and because of the VixSkin material, might be the most realistic one on the market. It has subtle veins, a lovely pronounced head, and what looks like a foreskin ridge about 1/2″ under the head. I love that the toy is textured realistically, but it’s done with such attention to detail. If they used a penis model, I have to find that man and shake his hand.

VixSkin is very special because it’s actually dual-density silicone. The inner core of the dildo is firm, while the outer core is soft and plushy. The vast majority of dildos that I’ve come across are rather stiff and unyielding, which can be awesome for G-spotting but makes toys of a certain size potentially difficult to take. The outer layer of plushy silicone has a lot of grab to it, so I definitely recommend using a good water-based lube. I did flame test the silicone, and it passed with flying colors, meaning this toy is 100% non-porous and body safe.

As for use, I really love using the Mustang when I’m also using a clitoral vibe. Being able to clench around it really helps prolong my orgasm. The squish of the outer silicone makes it easy to insert, and the pronounced head gives me a little bit of G-spot stimulation. It’s not a toy that I can use by itself to bring me to orgasm, but it absolutely makes a difference when I use it in combination with a good clitoral vibe.

My partner and I don’t usually use the Mustang together, on me or on him (he’s not really into the bend over boyfriend phenomenon…). For couples who like to use strap on harnesses, the Mustang would be an awesome choice, as it does come with a nice sturdy base.

If you’re looking for something realistic, body safe, and beautifully crafted, seriously consider something from the VixSkin line! You can purchase their products either from their Website or from SheVibe.

Thanks, Vixen Creations!