Page 19 - AVN Intimate fall 2016

Points of PleASure
One high point in vibrator history has to be the infamous Sex and the
City episode that featured the Rabbit Habit from Vibratex, which generated
a blizzard of sales at New York’s Pleasure Chest adult boutique. That model
was hardly the only model on the market—and what made this style so
magical was its multiple stimulation points, both internal and external.
Since the 1990s, the rabbit-style has multiplied more prolifically than
its namesake, evolving to include a dizzying array of whimsical shapes
to tickle the clit, as well as modifications of the shaft to include G-spot
stimulation, beaded rows for additional sensation, rotating shafts, and
multiple motors. There’s even a company devoted solely to this vibe design:
the Rabbit Company.
The rabbit also represents another trend in vibrator design: whimsy.
Like the butterfly vibe, the rabbit shape made it OK for vibrators to be fun.
And many even more whimsical shapes came onto the market in the past
decade, such as vibrating ducks and more from Big Teaze Toys, the Muse
from NS Novelties and the Celine Butterfly from Impulse Novelties—just a
few of the many vibes that aren’t afraid to look like playthings.
Charge It!
Rechargeable vibrators? Whodathunkit? Duracell and Energizer be damned! The rechargeable
revolution has taken over the sex toy industry. Early adopters included such boutique brands as LELO, Je
Joue and Jimmyjane, as well as mega producer CalExotics. And many innovations have come since then,
including Fun Factory’s “click and charge” magnetic charger and Crave’s USB charger, bringing non-stop
action into sex play for hours at a time. Coming in every shape and size, rechargeable toys appeal to the
greenest of the green, and even though the pleasure products might seem like they cost more, in the long
run they’re less expensive to use since there’s no need to constantly buy batteries to power those babies.
More boutique toys are headed in this direction and with increasing demand for rechargeable and more
sophisticated technologies, they’re probably going to catch up to the cost-effectiveness of battery toys.
Realm of the Senses
Sex toys have progressed far beyond the stick-it-in-and-vibrate kind of toys
from years past. Waterproof vibes of all shapes and sizes—which boast a seal
around the motors and controls—have soaked the market for quite some time,
allowing for play in the bath or shower. Like that toy hot or cold? Hardened
glass dildos exploded on the market in the mid-’90s with HBO’s Real Sex
segment about Astro-Knots and soon were followed by the metal creations
from Greg DeLong at njoy. Temperature play was made accessible
simply by running these dildos under the degree-changing water
faucet of pleasure. Want some vibrations with that warmth?
and you’ve come up
with Fun Factory’s
ground-shakin’
Stronic vibe collection
and MiaMaxx’s
deeply penetrating,
interchangeable
silicone sleeves that
boldly go where no
man ... well, you get
the idea. And the next
frontier is suction,
popularized by last
year’s debut of the
Womanizer. And new
this year is the Satisfyer, which is introducing
more powerful and quieter action. These
pleasure toys are making women grab sheets
faster than the first day of a January White
Sale. No sheet, the suction action is that good.
Topco’s Average Joes prove that they’re,
well, not that average. Tiny motors power
itty-bitty fingertip vibes to get to those tiny
places all over the body—the Fukuoku was
an early model, with updates provided
recently by Jimmyjane’s Hello Touch
and Screaming O’s VibrOman. Shocking
discoveries were made when some kinksters
thought it would be fun to add some real
zing to their thing with electro-stim, which
has crossed over into mainstream stimulating
fun through items carried by Mystim, Stockroom
and Pipedream Products. And to shed some light
onto sex toys, the Afterglow pulsating vibrator uses UV
lights to internally stimulate like no other toy has (trust
me on this one). And there have even been changes in the
way vibrations are produced, with vibrators from Nobu,
LELO and CalExotics’ Luxe line that are sensitive to touch,
vibrating more when they’re touched more firmly—or
when the user’s vaginal muscles contract (a more fun way
to do one’s Kegels). LELO even took on another sense
recently, with the introduction of the Lily 2 scented vibe,
which comes with the smells of rose and wisteria, bordeaux
and chocolate or lavender and Manuka honey.
This page, clockwise from top: Shane’s World Jack Rabbit from CalExotics, the Closet Collection’s Celine Butterfly, the Sumo from Nobu Toys,
the Lily scented vibrator from LELO, the Violet Wand Electro-Sex Starter Kit from Pipedream Products. and the Satisfyer Pro 2.
Opposite page, clockwise from top left: the S2 from Ovo, the Heart Throb from Rocks-Off, the Vs19 from Vanity by Jopen, the Eroscillator,
and the Lingus from XR Brands.
FALL 2016 | INTIMATE | 19