Review: Désirables Dalia

As our seemingly never-ending lockdown continues here in Melbourne, I find myself thinking about how to support small and local businesses more than ever. Whether it’s a brick-and-mortar store that has been forced to close its doors, or an online retailer faced with demands for refunds due to delays out of their control, it’s a tough time to be in business. So in addition to my own financial support, I’ve been working to find new ways to promote and highlight small businesses on my social media over the last few months, and it was through this that I first learned of Montréal-based manufacturer Désirables. An independent maker of some of the most beautiful hand-made products I’ve ever seen, Désirables immediately stood out to me through their use of porcelain as a medium for their toys, which is something I haven’t seen before. So you can imagine my excitement when I recently found out that one of my favourite local retailers, Nikki Darling, was not only about to become the first Australian stockist of their exquisite and unique toys, but that they also wanted me to review them!

Désirables’ work and values are truly inspiring. While other companies try to out-do each other with various features and crazy designs for their toys, Désirables instead know the importance of keeping things simple. Using a thoughtful and human-centred design process, they aim for their products to work simply as an extension to your own pleasure rather than replacing it, and in doing so help you create a more intimate connection with yourself and your partners. In this regard, they currently have only two products on offer, their signature Dalia dildo (which I’ll be reviewing today) and their Adori massage stones, both which rely solely on their unique shapes and materials rather than anything else. This means that not only do they not feature vibrations or any other additional features, but they are also pure white. While unusual, I personally love this fact, as not only does it ensure these products are non-gendered, but it also further reinforces the idea that these items are simple background tools used to enhance your own pleasure rather than being the star of the show. In addition to these products Désirables also sell a few other items such as massage candles and oils, however these are not currently stocked at Nikki Darling.

In addition to the white version of the Désirables Dalia that I’ll be reviewing today, there are also two limited edition versions currently available at Nikki Darling. Both hand-painted, allowing them to be one-of-a-kind, there is the Love Dust, which is covered in blue dots, and the Marble, which features a marbling effect. As beautiful as these two are though, the idea of a pure white toy was one that I just couldn’t pass up. This isn’t my first ceramic toy, so I felt I had a fairly good idea of what to expect from this alternative material, but as soon as I held the Dalia for the first time it was clear that porcelain was a very different beast. The first thing that stood out to me was just how light this toy is, as with a weight of only 137 grams this thing weighs less than some of my silicone dildos. Next I noted the matte texture, which has been applied in order to provide extra grip during use of the toy. More than that though, the Dalia appears to have been painted using strokes that follow along with the length of the toy, which has left residual brush marks. This in turn then allows for the toy to have a uniquely sleek feeling when running your hand along its length, and a rougher sensation when going against it. In terms of its shape the Dalia is then incredibly well-thought-out, featuring two wildly different designs at either end of its dual-use length, with the larger side being intended for G-Spot use and the smaller side being intended for Kegel exercises. Overall it is quite small in size however, with a maximum diameter of only 3.5cm / 1.38″. Still, considering how firm the porcelain is, this is a wise move from Désirables as it will feel a lot larger in use. Finally, while still absolutely beautiful, one downside to this toy visually is a raised round mark located near its middle, however I understand this is simply a result of the moulding process and it does not affect its use. In addition, as this toy does not have a flared base, it is neither anal safe nor harness compatible.

My order with Nikki Darling for the Désirables Dalia was placed on the 31st of August and I received it promptly by the 3rd of September, which, considering the current postal delays we’re experiencing here, was super impressive. Plus, it was 100% discreet, with no mention of the sender or contents on the packaging. The box for the Dalia itself was then beautiful in its own right and stayed true to the brand’s emphasis on simplicity. Aside from a wraparound in Désirables’s signature shade of red (the only colour other than white that features on anything relating to the Dalia), which contains information on the toy and a picture of it, the box is completely white, with its only feature being a small and barely noticeable deboss of the Désirables logo. This means that once the wraparound is removed the box is completely discreet, which is particularly great as with a fragile toy like this you’ll likely want to make it a permanent home. Opening it up then first presents you with a small envelope, containing a thank you card alongside a certificate of authenticity, and then the Dalia’s rather large instruction manual. Other than maybe some information regarding care, dildos typically don’t come with instructions, so this was surprising. But I actually found this guide, which covers everything from how to use the toy and exercise your Kegels, to creating sexual fantasises and communicating with your partner, really interesting and helpful. Next up was the storage bag for the toy, which is handmade out of a red canvas-like material and that feels as special and unique as the toy itself. Then, lastly, I found the Dalia resting safely and presented beautifully in satin. Overall I absolutely love everything about the packaging for this toy, as its restraint reinforces the company’s beliefs while still presenting everything in a luxurious manner as is appropriate for a toy of its price. In addition, the Dalia also comes with a five year warranty.

One thing that ceramic lends itself to really well is temperature play, so choosing to either warm or cool the Dalia, depending on your preference, by soaking it in water prior to use is always a good idea. Then, when inserting it I would recommend using a good lubricant, which should allow it to go in relatively easy regardless of what side you use, due to its small size and smooth material. When testing the Dalia I started with the larger end, which thankfully was able to find my G-Spot with ease. Stimulating it this way then feels immensely good, and the orgasms are amazing. The downside, however, is that I find it quite difficult to hold, as for it to effectively stimulate my G-Spot it needs to be inserted fairly far, leaving me with only a very small portion to use as a handle. This makes using it for extended periods quite difficult, and angling it in order to achieve as much stimulation as possible leaves my hand sore even during short bursts. Plus, eventually the handle also gets pretty slippery due to how close it is to my entrance, making things even worse. So, after feeling a bit disappointed by this I decided to instead try out the smaller end of the toy, as even though it is intended for Kegel exercises I was interested in how it would feel for masturbation. To my surprise, I found that I actually enjoyed using this end on my G-Spot more than the other side, as not only does the stimulation feel more focused, but it is also far easier to hold, since the larger end makes for a perfect handle. As such this has quickly become my favourite way to use the toy, and when paired with a good clitoral vibrator, such as the Dame Kip, I just know I’m going to be in for a treat.

While I loved using the smaller end of the Désirables Dalia on my G-Spot, it is ultimately designed to help with Kegel exercises. While this isn’t something I was particularly interested in at first, I ended up liking it more than I thought I would and found Désirables guide in the instruction manual regarding it very helpful. This is as I typically I do these kinds of exercises without any aids, which is how I prefer it, but being able to have visual representation of my progress for the first time was really neat, with the Dalia simply falling out of me (and onto my soft bed) whenever I wasn’t tight enough. After having only tried Kegel balls for this sort of thing previously, which seem to just disappear inside of you, I can say with certainty that I preferred this method.

Cleaning the Désirables Dalia is easy as it is body-safe and waterproof. For regular cleaning just soak it in some warm soapy water, before rinsing and drying with a clean cloth. Alternatively you can give it a more thorough clean every once in awhile, or when switching between users or orifices, by submerging it in boiling water on the stove for five minutes, and then turning the heat off and allowing it to sit for 30 minutes. You can then return it to its storage bag to keep it dust-free, and for even more protection you can keep it in its box. As the Dalia is fragile make sure to always be careful with it, and cease use if it is damaged in any way.

The Désirables Dalia is the kind of sex toy I treasure. I go through so many that sometimes they just seem to blend into one, and in this mass-consumer industry finding anything that is truly unique sometimes feels impossible. But while its porcelain material is the most obvious thing that separates the Dalia from the rest (and after experiencing how firm yet lightweight it is I can’t believe more toy makers aren’t making use of this medium), it is by far not the only reason why I love this toy so much. Rather, the pureness of its white coating, alongside its well-designed curves and beautiful packaging all contribute, and while my version wasn’t a one-of-a-kind limited edition, it sure feels as if it were. While there was obviously an issue with its length, which made holding on to it during use a messy endeavour regardless of which side I used, and using the larger end on my G-Spot as intended quite difficult, at least didn’t compromise on pleasure. Plus, since I ended up enjoying the smaller Kegel side on my G-Spot more anyway, it all worked out in the end. Overall though this is a quite an expensive toy, and considering the stimulation wasn’t perfect you’ll definitely be paying more for the unique material than anything else. But if you can afford it and want something special and different for you or someone else, then this is a great choice.

If you are in Australia or New Zealand, you can get the Désirables Dalia from Nikki Darling for just $160 AUD, plus use my code GRACE5 to get 5% OFF your total order!

For everyone else, you can get it from Enby for just $115 USD, plus use my code GRACE to get 10% OFF your total order!

I received this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Affiliate links have been used in this post.