The notion of purchasing a sex toy (gasp) in person is positively terrifying for many people. But it turns out, shopping for sex toys can be just like walking into your friendly corner store, except, you know, dildos. Bonus: it’s way better (and less risky) than shopping online.
If you’re among the curious but shy, here’s a handy guide for a sex toy shopping spree.
Narrow it down by sensation
If you’ve never purchased a sex toy, Claire Cavanah, co-founder of New York’s Bableland, suggests thinking “about what kind of sensations you enjoy and how you want to use a sex toy.” For example, “If you’re shopping for a vibrator, do you like internal or external stimulation or both simultaneously? Thick or thin? Curved for the G-spot or smooth and straight?” So basically, know where you want to put it and how you want it to feel.
Megan Church of Austin’s Forbidden Fruit gives the exact same advice to her potential customers. If you’re interested in penetration, “think penetrative,” says Megan. Narrowing it down makes is “a lot less cumbersome than looking at a whole wall of things,” she explains. Since most stores are organized along these lines, having a desired sensation in mind can take you right past that goliath dildo giving you the stink eye and into a section that won’t make your face as red.
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Pre-game on the web
For those of you that would rather dip your toe in the pool before diving in, you can read reviews of sex toys online. Maybe don’t Google “dildo,” though. “If you’re the kind of shopper who likes to research purchases, there are a couple of ways to do that. Customer reviews on store websites like Babeland and user reviews in media outlets [can] give you an idea of the merits and experiences of others with certain toys,” says Cavanah. “You can also do some online searching for blogs that review sex toys.” https://www.yourdoll.com/small-mini-sex-dolls/
But the truth is, reviews and product descriptions can be as subjective as sexual preferences. “The words ‘soft,’ ‘hard,’ ‘big,’ and ‘small’ are all very relative,” notes Church.
Please DO touch
See something interesting, but still not sure? Don’t be afraid to pick it up and give it a test spin on (your hand! For the love of god, just on your hand!). One of the great advantages to swallowing your pride and buying in-store as opposed to online is that many shops have test toys on display that are meant to be fondled. Go ahead and grope! Again, with your hand.
Consider the material
If you’re slightly neurotic (like me) or Jewish (like half of me), you’re probably going to want to understand what these things are made of before you go sticking them in and around your body. There are generally six basic materials from which sex toys are made: glass, wood, metal, hard plastic, jelly (rubber and PVC), and silicone. Each material has its own unique advantages, depending on your preferences.
“Glass and wood are used in making dildos and are also non-porous, easy to clean, and recyclable!,” explains Cavanah, offering up another way to really mess with your garbage man. “The unbending quality of both of these, and also steel, makes them great for G-spot or [prostate] stimulation, and the toys are really beautiful too.”
Take note: Different materials are also maintained differently, so make sure to inquire about cleaning and care instructions to avoid a Broad City moment. online shopping for https://www.yourdoll.com/new-latest-sex-dolls/