![[home]](/images/house.gif)
![[contact]](/images/email.gif)
(877) 370-9288
dildos
Dildos come in a plethora of shapes and sizes. There's a lot of choice, and these days buying a dildo can be a matter of style as much as a practical decision about what rocks your boat. The top things to consider when choosing a dildo are its size, its shape, and the material it's made of.
see also
Toy care tips «
All About Lube «
Ben Wa Balls «
Sex Toys 101 
Toy care instructions
Sex Toys & Disabilities
Size
Sometimes you need a little . . . sometimes you need a lot! Size preference varies widely from one person to the next, and even from one day to the next for the same person. Not sure what size you're looking for? If you have other toys, a few fingers, or a penis handy for purposes of comparison then you probably have some idea. If not, a quick trip to the grocer's can help—think carrots, cucumbers, zucchini (and you're already halfway to dinner!). Note that as a general rule, toys are less pliable than their fleshy phallic counterparts, so keep that in mind when looking at some of the bigger toys.
Our measurements are given in inches. The larger dimension is length—that's insertable length, not including base or balls. We measure the width of toys at the widest point, and this measurement is of diameter, not circumference.
Shape
Ultra-realistic or playful dolphin? So many questions, and so many dils! No matter your predilection there's a dildo for you. Styles range from the hyper-real to the entirely fanciful, and the choice is up to you. Some styles offer advantages for g-spotting (see below). Most just offer a lot of variety to suit your personal aesthetic sense.
On a more practical note, some dils do have specific purposes, or at least uses at which they excel. Double dils, such as the Nexus and Feeldoe are meant to be shared. Curved dildos, such as the Tantus Hot Rods and the Diva are great for G-spot or prostate gland stimulation. There are also toys such as the Aria or Ben-Wa balls that can be used for Kegel exercises. And for those with looking for something to really hold onto, the G-Force might be the just one for you!
Most dils are designed to accomodate being used in a harness: this means they have a flared base about 2" in diameter. Realistic dils with balls can also be accommodated in an o-ring harness. Some dil manufacturers make toys with wider bases that are better for many styles of harnesses. Look for Happy Valley and Vixen toys if you have a harness without an adjustable o-ring.
Ben-Wa Balls
Ben Wa balls are hard plastic spheres with a heavy steel ball inside. When they move (when you move) the metal balls vibrate inside their plastic casing. They are meant for vaginal insertion, and once they're in, they stay in. This can lead to extraction issues, so the balls we sell all come with a pull cord. Some ben wa balls have a silicone and hard plastic coating that makes them super-easy to clean. These are called Smart Balls and they come in a multitude of great colors.
Let's dispel a myth about Ben Wa balls — also known as duotone or orgasm balls. They probably won't make you come, at least not by themselves. If they do, you're an extremely lucky gal. But they do have some great uses: they're perfect for practicing your Kegel exercises: pop them in for a hands-free PC workout. The sense of fullness and slight movement they provide is a wonderful accompaniment to other forms of stimulation. They're easy to wear if you're wearing a harness. Also, they're super-sneaky; no one has to know you're wearing them! Fun on a date or just vacuuming the house.
{more about Ben Wa Balls}
Materials
Silicone is hypo-allergenic and non-porous, making it a snap to clean and easy to share. Silicone toys may be used both anally and vaginally with only a good washing with hot soapy water in between. Silicone also warms quickly and maintains heat so it's more comfortable more quickly. Silicone is so hardy that you can boil it for a few minutes for extra cleanliness or throw it into the dishwasher if nobody objects. The only thing that will really harm silicone is a knife—and it shouldn't be used with silicone lube. {more about silicone}
Jelly Rubber is porous and has a chemical smell that some find unpleasant. Though jelly rubber isn't as long-lasting as silicone, it is cheaper and gives you a chance to experiment with dildos without breaking the bank. Because jelly is porous, we recommend that your jelly toy not be shared or used both anally and vaginally unless you are willing to use it with a condom each time. That way bacteria and odor don't have a chance to be trapped in the pores of the toy. If that isn't practical for you, then we suggest you invest in a toy cleaner such as Foreplay and use it religiously. Just don't forget that jelly is a short term ride, not a long-term relationship. There are some concerns with toys that contain pthalates, check out this article for more information.
Cyberskin is a new material, and is a combination of silicone and PVC. It offers a very realistic texture but is quite porous. Cyberskin toys should be used with a condom and should be powdered with corn starch after being washed.
Hard toys such as plastic, acrylic, and glass can be fun, especially for g-spot play where a lot of pressure is nice or necessary. On the other hand, sometimes they can feel too hard, and the larger toys may be uncomfortable at times. The glass and acrylic toys are often very beautiful and are appealing to those people who like their toys to be as pretty as they are fun.
The University of Ottawa's Couple Research Lab is looking for participants for their online study on same-sex couple relationships! This study aims to better understand personal and relationship factors that contribute to well being and distress in same-sex couples.
To be eligible, you must be 18 years old or more, have a good knowledge of English and be in a same-sex couple relationship for at least 12 months. In order to thank you for your participation, you will be entered in a draw for gift certificates to a music store.
Venus Envy is a work in progress. Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns that can help us improve our web site or our stores.
© 2006-2009 venus envy, inc.
(some of our content is licensed for non-commercial use)
