An unexpected positive to how much time we’ve all collectively spent inside over the last few years, has to be the rise of the independent sex toy maker. But as these silicone artisans continue to elevate what we previously thought was possible, with dildos and other non-electrical toys available for the first time in a huge range of shapes, styles, and colours, it’s starting to make the bigger brands realise that we aren’t going to be satisfied with just flesh tones and pinks and purples any longer. Rather, we want the same level of choice and innovation when it comes to dildos as with vibrators and suction toys. So, when I first saw the Dildolls range by French manufacturer Love to Love, I knew they got it, and it’s been no surprise to me that these eye-catching toys have since become such a sensation.
Review: SquarePegToys Nathan Firmer
One of last year’s stand-out posts for me has to be my review of the SquarePegToys G squeeze. Coming in at Number 3 in my Top 10 Sex Toys of 2021, I don’t think it’d be an exaggeration to say it was also one of the year’s most anticipated reviews, and has since become one of my most popular too. Taking on the often under-appreciated vaginal plug and reimagining it for the future, the only thing that equalled my love for the G squeeze was my desire to try more from the US maker. So when Peepshow Toys reached out to me recently to let me know SquarePegToys had a new release on the horizon that they were exclusive retailers for, I couldn’t have said yes to reviewing it quicker.
Review: Closetplay Speedster
In October 2021 the sex toy world suffered a huge loss. Geeky Sex Toys, Australia’s first (and, for a long time, only) independent maker of silicone toys, closed their virtual doors. Pioneers of the fantasy genre, they introduced the idea of mixing pop culture with sex toys for all us “naughty nerds” out there, and as it turned out, there were a lot of us. But while they might have been the first to bring us the lightsaber dildo and Pikachu butt plug, they certainly won’t be the last. Many retailers, from other indie makers such as Deep N’ Geek to big brands like The Realm by Blush Novelties, have taken inspiration from Geeky Sex Toys over the years. However, I don’t think any have quite captured their almost chaotic creativity quite like newcomer Closetplay Sex Toys.
Review: Blush Novelties Avant D17 Lucky
The Avant line by Blush Novelties has been at the top of my wish list for far too long. One of the best bigger brands making dildos and other silicone goods right now, their refined designs matched with eye-catching colours are hard to miss, and as the range has grown over the years so too has my desire to try one. The most popular of the line however has been their Pride (or “P”) range, which are a series of toys featuring the colours of flags relating to some of the more common sexual and gender identities. So, because I’m still in the process of deciding which flags best represent me (and I’d feel strange reviewing something not all my readers may feel is for them), it has put pause on getting one of these toys for myself. But when Blush announced their newest additions to the line last June for Pride, and the absolutely stunning D17 Lucky was part of it, I couldn’t quite resist any longer. Even better then was that despite its release date and resemblance to the bisexual flag (which I do identify with), it isn’t actually intended as part of their Avant Pride range (as denoted by the “D” in its name, presumably for dildo, rather than “P”), making it accessible for everyone.
Review: Femme Funn Versa Bullet & Sleeves
Last time at the blog we were taking a look at sustainability in the sex toy industry and what products are currently making a difference, namely the new Lovehoney X Love Not War Amore. Designed as a modular toy so you only need one set of electronics across the entire range (even if it’s currently not being sold as such), Love Not War aimed to reduce both the waste and cost associated with their toys. But while it may not look as fancy, the idea of being able to take one core toy and then transforming it into a range of different styles has been around for years thanks to sleeve attachments. This concept has always intrigued me personally, but aside from the fairly out there Uberrime Tentare Tentacle, there is a distinct lack of reviews for them at my blog. Why? Well I have given these sorts of things a go at conventions and stores, and I’ve always been seriously unimpressed at just how well the vibrations transfer through. But when I heard Femme Funn, makers of the popular Ultra Bullet, were releasing their own version named the Versa earlier this year, and For Her Box offered it to me for review, I figured it was time to finally give bullet sleeves a proper go.
Review: Faux Phallus Agapanthus
I love being a sex toy reviewer more than anything. But there are some obvious downsides to doing it in Australia. There’s no major manufacturers located here, popular toys aren’t always stocked by local stores, shipping prices from everywhere else are ridiculously high, and in terms of a blogging community… well most of the time it’s just me. There is one thing, however, that has disappointed me most over the years though, and that’s the lack of independent makers. Overseas, but particularly in the USA, there seems to be an abundance of people creating silicone toys from their very own homes and selling them places like Etsy, allowing them to push the limits of what is considered a sex toy by producing imaginative designs in a kaleidoscope of colours that would have never been able to occur within a larger mass-producing company. I could browse these stores all day, and often do, but with shipping typically costing far more than the products themselves, actually making a purchase is sadly not an option for me. It’s because of this that I have spent a good part of the last six years wishing and hoping someone would kick off a similar community here (and making my own plans if I were to ever move to a bigger apartment), and now in 2021 it finally seems my cries have been answered.