Your round-up of the best sustainable sex toys and accessories for your pleasure
When it comes to daily life, most of us have ditched plastic water bottles, cut back on red meat and even started buying your clothes from ethical clothing brands (hey, clothes rentals!). But when it comes to our sex lives, we haven’t quite swapped out plastic options for the eco-friendly sex toys. Yet.
But we really need to. Condom wrappers, lube stored in plastic bottles, and those plastic-covered little gadgets that give us so much on-demand pleasure are actually harming the environment due to plastic’s inability to decompose. Yep, you guessed it – your sex toys are leading to landfill pile-ups and polluted seas.
Making the switch from something you’ve found to be an essential part of your bedside table to a new era of sex toys can be quite the leap. But as we progress towards both a greener and cleaner way of life, so does the sex toy industry and its producing alternative eco-friendly sex toys substitutes that emit less harmful emissions into our ecosystem.
Our top pick? The Blush Novelties Gaia eco vibrator – it claims to be a world first. There’s no record of a biodegradable vibrator before it. Neat.
If you’re intrigued but stumped on where to find the best sex toys for women that are also eco-friendly, we’ve compiled a list from organic and very-edible vegan lube, to hot or cold-temp glass dildos and even nature-inspired vibrators. Take a look…
Buy because? Claiming to be the world’s first biodegradable vibrator – this baby is made from purely from starch-based bioplastic (which means the plastic is produced from renewable sources).
Buy because? This little goodie is water-based from aloe vera, plant-derived, organic, and pH-matched to vaginas. Plus it’s free of glycerin, parabens, hormones, or sugars.
Buy because? You get three toys in one, plus. the rose quartz egg is a great tool for kegel exercises, maintain health, have better orgasms, increase libido and awaken sensuality.
Did you know? There are some *very* exciting sex toys for couples available these days..
You’ve probably read our extensive guide (you’re welcome) to the best sex toys for women, but have you ever considered purchasing one of the best sex toys for couples?
Fun fact: UK sex toy statistics reveal that 45 percent of couples use sex toys. Why? Well, to keep their love life spicy and mix things up a little, of course. Think about it: even shopping for said toy could act as an exciting form of roleplay for the pair of you. You heard it here first.
Keen? Whether, as above, you’re just looking to add some variety to your bedroom repertoire or are eager to make getting your or his orgasms easier, these are the best sex toys for couples to help you get the job done.
Good for: Couples who get turned on by pleasuring each other
Review: Brand new to the market, the Satisfyer Endless Fun will be your new best friend in the bedroom. Both you and your partner will love the intense sensations they create – he will be especially turned on seeing how great it feels for you. They have been built to not only look good, but their design makes the pleasure even more powerful. Let your partner tease you by working his way up the seven settings until you can’t take any more.
Review: This clever new toy doubles up as a pelvic floor trainer and a delightful sexual experience. Slip them in during foreplay while you pleasure him to make sure you are getting just as much fun out of it as he does. The gentle vibrations they create when you move will ensure orgasmic effects. To indulge your senses further, they have been designed with delicate ridges creating an innovative and surprising texture for your body.
Review: With a price as low as £4.99 you might think it’s not worth the bother, but Durex’s Play Vibrations penis ring is a great example of orgasmic value for money! It slides over his penis and the tiny vibrator stimulates your clitoris as well as giving him exciting vibrations, too. It’s an ideal starter sex toy and is great for travelling with as it’s small and you won’t need a charger. Be aware, though, each ring lasts around 20 minutes, so you might want to keep a back-up!
Good for: The couple who don’t want another ‘penis’ in the bedroom
Review: Phallic vibrators and dildos can be off-putting for men, and yet other men suffer ego damage at the idea that a vibrator can get you to orgasm when maybe they can’t… which is why the LoveHoney Finger Vibrator is so great. This is a vibrator that fits onto his fingertips, so your man is still giving you your orgasm, just with a little help. But it’s not just about your orgasm, you can also put it on your fingertip to stimulate him while using your hands.
Good for: Getting you and him to orgasm more easily
Review: At last, a vibe that you can wear inside you while he’s inside you. The Ida from LELO is a groundbreaking vibe that even the most experienced of couples will enjoy. Why? Not only does the vibe go inside you alongside his penis, it rotates as it vibrates. Part of the vibe remains outside where it stimulates your clitoris and his penis, too. But it doesn’t stop there, it also comes with a wireless controller so that you can switch between the different settings while it – and your man – are inside you.
Review: This is so quiet it’s practically silent which, when you’re staying with the in-laws, is exactly what you need. Worn during sex, the vibrator will deliver its powerful vibrations to both you and him, and you can also use it with a remote control (sold separately) if you want to.
Review: This vibrator with its rotating ‘tongue’ is designed to replicate oral sex, so it’s ideal for women who love oral sex but find their partner just isn’t able to keep going for long enough. Use it at the beginning so you can get warmed up then have him go down on you, or use it when he gets tired. Either way, it’s ideal for extending the time you get to enjoy oral sex.
Good for: Couples who want a more intense sex-perience
Review: It’s not just powerful, with six vibrations, it’s strong. This masculine-looking vibrating ring is incredibly elastic so it can slide onto any man’s penis (use some lube to make it a delicious part of foreplay) then both of you will experience intense vibrations during sex.
Good for: Couples who want to display their sex life on their mantlepiece
Review: Let’s face it, most of us will want to keep our sex toys away from prying eyes, but when a dildo looks as beautiful as these two, you might be tempted to at least put them on your bedside table. With pink for you and clear/black for him, each shaped differently for maximum pleasure, you can each have one to use so no one feels left out.
Good for: Couples who want equality in the bedroom
Review: In the past, it’s been difficult to find vibrators that are designed for use during sex but now there are a variety of options. But, by far the best is the We-Fibe 4 Plus, which was partly designed based on customer requests for a vibrator they could use together, during penetrative sex, with remote control via an app on a smartphone. The product design also means that both your hands and his are free to do whatever else it is you love to do during sex.
Review: Fusion has an exciting ten vibration functions and, fun fact, you can bend the vibrator into whichever shape you and your partner fancy (or like the feel of). You can even shape it into a couple’s ring – one of the best sex toys for couples who want to come together again.
Good for: Couples who want to experiment in a safe and private way.
Review: Pillow follows a similar structure to a guided mediation. Over the top of relaxing, spa-style music, a voice tells you exactly what you and your partner should be doing. It might make you giggle to start with, but you get used to the weirdness quickly. The idea is that by following the instructions you focus far more on foreplay and less on penetrative sex, which for the female party is often the less pleasurable aspect of sex.
The app encourages you to approach sex slowly, touching each other’s bodies and communicating. If you can get past the fact that it feels a bit weird to have a random voice telling you what to do to your other half? It’s actually really well researched. The app contains lots of different routines you can try. They won’t all work for everyone – the one that focuses around compliments could feel quite stressful if you’re shy about your body, but there’s a lot of variety so there’s something for everyone.
The label has been carbon neutral since 2018, by following the mitigation hierarchy its its supply chain: avoid, reduce, restore and then, as a last measure, offset its remaining greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through nature-based solutions every year.
However this new initiative goes towards a more nature-positive approach, with an aim to protect and restore critical forests and mangroves, while also investing in regenerative agriculture within its supply chain, and more broadly, to give back to nature.
Marco Bizzarri, Gucci’s President and CEO, said in a statement, ‘The evolution of our strategy incorporates a series of clear climate actions that will continue to prioritize reducing our emissions and drawing down CO2, which allows us to maintain carbon neutrality across our entire supply chain. At the same time, we are investing in regenerative agriculture as an important pillar of our approach.
‘Led by science, Gucci’s new Natural Climate Solutions Portfolio protects and restores important ecosystems that mitigate climate change, while providing lasting biodiversity and climate benefits for years to come. We want to be part of the solution for nature and climate by mainstreaming practices and systems that will transform nature from being a victim of climate to becoming an actor to change climate, which will ultimately determine the future of our planet’.
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Spencer film...
Getty Images
A new Princess Diana film is coming and it’s set to detail a weekend in the iconic royal’s life – in particular, when Diana decided that her marriage to Prince Charles wasn’t making her happy.
Perhaps a little unexpectedly, former Twilight actress Kristen Stewart, 30, was announced to be playing Diana in the biopic about her life in the early 1990s.
This week, teaser photographs of Stewart as Princess Diana emerged, putting any casting confusion comments to bed. The two women look identical.
The film’s director Pablo LarraÃn revealed the film will not delve into Diana’s tragic death, but instead focus on her marriage to Charles and the love she had for her children, Prince William and Prince Harry.
‘We decided to get into a story about identity, and around how a woman decides somehow, not to be the queen. She’s a woman who, in the journey of the movie, decides and realises that she wants to be the woman she was before she met Charles.’
‘She realises that she wants to be the woman she was before she met Charles’ (Getty Images)
What is Princess Diana’s real-life story?
Charles and Diana were married from July 29, 1981 to August 28, 1996, and there has been endless speculation that their union was an unhappy one.
Five years into the marriage, the couple’s incompatibility and age difference of almost 13 years became visible and damaging. Charles resumed his relationship with his former girlfriend Camilla Parker Bowles.
At the age of just 36, Diana died in the early hours of 31 August 1997, after being injured in a car crash in Paris. Her partner at the time, Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The royals wed on 29 July 1981 in London, England (Getty Images)
Who else is cast in the Spencer film?
Kristen Stewart was the first name confirmed to star in Spencer, with the film’s director Pablo telling Deadline: ‘Kristen can be many things, and she can be very mysterious and very fragile and ultimately very strong as well, which is what we need.’
He went on to say, ‘I’ve seen movies from Kristen that are so diverse it’s incredible, showing different layers and her diversity and strength as an actress. We’re very happy to have her, she’s very committed. As a filmmaker, when you have someone who can hold such a weight, dramatic and narrative weight just with her eyes, then you have the strong lead who can deliver what we are looking for.’
It has since been confirmed that Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins and Sean Harris have also been cast in the biopic, although it has not been announced who they will be playing.
What about the Spencer film production team?
Director and producer Pablo has directed seven feature films and co-directed one television series, including Academy Award-nominated films No and Jackie.
‘I’ve always been intrigued and fascinated by the Royal Family and how things are in that culture, which we don’t have where I come from,” the Chilean director told Deadline.
‘It’s about finding herself, about understanding that possibly the most important thing for her is to be well, and to be with herself and by herself. That’s why the movie is called Spencer, which is the family name she had before she met Charles.’
Meanwhile British screenwriter Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, is penning the script.
Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry in 1995 (Getty Images)
Who else has played Princess Diana?
Most recently, Emma Corrin has portrayed Diana in the fourth season of The Crown, a depiction that she has been heavily praised for.
Oscar-nominated actress Naomi Watts played the role in the 2013 drama Diana, that focused on the last two years of her life, and Lesley Harcourt played the princess in the film: William & Catherine in 2011.
Prior, Genevieve O’Reilly starred in the docu-drama Diana: Last Days Of A Princess in 2007.
When will Spencer be released?
Filming is set to start in Germany this month, followed by additional filming in the UK, so the film won’t be released for a while. Autumn 2021 is the expected release date for Spencer, with 2022 marking the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death.
Aka, how to choose the best sex toys for you and 18 of the best vibrators, dildos, and more to *add to basket* ASAP
If you’re searching for the best sex toys for women, we’ve got a fun fact for you. Did you know that the sex toy industry makes nearly £12 billion yearly?
According to UK sex toy stats, roughly half of you have played around with a sex toy, while an Indiana University study found that 50 per cent of women use a vibrator regularly.
Right now, coronavirus is wreaking havoc on people’s sex lives. Couples from separate households are being asked to practice facing away sex positions and dating apps and sex apps are, sadly, one of the only ways you can meet and hook-up someone new. So if you are keen to make your alone time a bit more kinky, you’re in the right place.
Why should I use one of the best sex toys for women?
So what’s the big deal, aside from it feeling, well, really rather good? You may be surprised to hear that the health benefits of using a sex toy are multi-faceted.
Studies suggest that investing in (and experimenting with) a sex toy can, for women:
Ease body aches and menstrual cramps
Assist with relaxation and deep sleep
Reduce night sweats in menopausal ladies.
Plus a 2019 Harvard study found that sex toys can help ease vaginal atrophy, vulval or vaginal pain and vaginal tightness, which is sometimes caused by vaginismus, vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus, gynae cancer treatments, low libido and neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.
Alongside the reams of health benefits of getting intimate with one of the best sex toys on the market, they can also have a positive impact on your emotional wellbeing. Reports show that using a vibrator can help promote confidence, happiness and relaxation. (Pssst: read our guide to the best masturbating techniques, now). The dream deal.
Whether you’re keen to invest for health or pleasure reasons, the question remains: where, then, do you even begin to start with finding the best sex toys for women?
We’ve rounded up the best sex toys for couples, the best male sex toys and the best eco sex toys, but keep reading for our round up of the very toys available right now, for every sort of sexual appetite, from the experienced Hitachi-wand wielding women to the simply-just-curious-to-see-what-a-sex-toy-can-do-for-you-and-your-orgasm kinda gal. There’s a sex toy for everyone just waiting to make your orgasms easier, more powerful, and more fun.
Review: The Moregasm+ Bullet might be small, but that doesn’t mean it’s not powerful – even the first (and lowest) setting promises to surprise you. Waterproof and super soft silicon, it’s a very affordable investment. Plus, it’s discreet – so if you’re gunning for some quiet solo play you don’t have to worry about the buzz waking up your housemates.
Review: While most wands come with a long cable that requires a nearby plug socket, this cordless sex toy for women is chargeable and can therefore be used anywhere you like. The battery lasts for up to two hours, and thanks to the adjustable intensities (there are five pulsation modes), you’ll definitely get the most out of it. You need never Google best sex toys for women again…
Review: If you’re on the hunt for a sex toy for women that’s a little bit different, you need to try this. The design has roots in medical science research, and promises a powerful motor and a perfect fit. Enjoy.
Review: A vibrating diamond, you say? This Bijoux design is ideal for solo play or couples. It looks luxe (who doesn’t want to use a gold diamond during foreplay?) and makes it easy to target the right spot. With seven patterns and three vibration intensities, it’s a great toy for beginners looking to take sexual satisfaction to the next level.
If you’re keen to take it up a notch, May we suggest vibrating pants? You were warned.
Review: If you’re looking for a sex toy for women that will hit the g-spot (and won’t cost you a fortune), look no further than the Lovehoney G-kiss vibrator. You’ll get twice the stimulation, thanks to the additional rabbit-style ears, plus it focuses on the two most important intimate areas. It’s also waterproof, so there’s the option for shower play.
Review: The trusty old rabbit vibrator has come a long way. Not only is the Flex made from super-soft silicone, it’s able to stimulate your g-spot and clitoris simultaneously and it’s actually flexible – meaning you can use it in any position that feels good for you. With a satisfying ten vibration speeds, it’ll get you to the finish line in no time.
Review: As the first ever remote-controlled pleasure beads, the Hula boasts a unique design sure to get your blood racing. The beads rotate whilst vibrating, great for fun foreplay or to use for your own pleasure. One ‘satisfied’ customer said her Hula beads are ‘the best purchase [she] ever made’. They’re also waterproof and come with a handy storage bag, so you can use your beads wherever and whenever you have the desire.
Good for: When you’re struggling to climax
Review: It may look small, but don’t be fooled. LELO claims that this is ‘the world’s most intelligent oral sex simulator’ and it seems many women agree, the toy boasting many a five star review. One woman even credits the multiple vibration rotation settings for her first-ever long-awaited orgasm. Its quick charging, offering a unique sensation and intelligent movements for an unrivalled experience. (Psst: read an expert’s answer to the most Googled questions about orgasms, now).
Review: You don’t need to have watched the film or read the book to get some pleasure out of these jiggle balls While you’re enjoying the sensation of them moving around inside you, you’ll also be giving your pelvic floor muscles a serious workout. When you orgasm, your pelvic floor muscles pulse, and the stronger those muscles are, the more control you’ll have of your orgasm, giving you more powerful sensations. With a handy tag to make getting the balls out easier, these balls are like a sex workout in your pocket.
Fancy investing in another Fifty Shades sex toy, while you’re here? Introducing, the Spreader bar. Oh yep.
Review: This powerful bullet sex toy is a Lovehoney favourite for a reason. It doesn’t vibrate, it throbs. Inside is a weighting mechanism, along with the motor, and this makes it seem like it has a mind of its own.
Good for: When someone might see your vibe, ie you’re travelling
Review: It’s a lipstick… or is it? This is a vibrator cunningly disguised as a lipstick. It even comes in different shades of pink and has a USB charger, so you can charge it on the go.
Review: If you’re looking for stability and reliability, you can’t beat the Doxy Extra Power Massager. It’s 30 per cent more powerful than the once-famous Hitachi wand (the one Samantha raved about in Sex and the City back in the day) and has incremental speeds and pulsations, so you can keep increasing the pleasure until you reach climax. Importantly, it also has a long cable – nearly 3m long – which means you don’t need to worry about losing power while you’re using it.
Review: This sleek rechargeable toy is what Marky Mark should have been rapping about, with eight different settings making for a night of good vibrations. Designed to be easily shared with a playmate or used on your own, it’s also waterproof if you decide to spice up shower time.
Review: Kick all your senses into overdrive the next time you fool around with this cute scented vibrator. There’s flowery scents like rose and wisteria or lavender and Manuka honey as well as a delicious Bordeaux wine and chocolate edition that’ll put an unexpected spin on playtime. Scent a big deal for turning you on? You’ll love this chocolate-scented sex toy candle.
Review: This little gem-shaped vibrator works hard, using sound waves and Satisfyer’s insane suction technology for an avalanche of orgasms. A little more discreet than its counterparts, it fits nicely into your hand and charges with a USB cable so you don’t have to worry about those pesky batteries.
Review: No playtime experience will ever be the same with this customisable vibrator, which allows you to choose and create your own vibration patterns, take into the shower and even bend into different shapes to help you hit the right spot. This is definitely one for the technophiles, as it syncs to an app full of different vibrations depending on what kind of mood you’re in. If you’re feeling a little creative, you can also create your own good vibrations and also control where along the toy’s length that you want the biggest impact.
Review: For the more reserved of us, the Womanizer 2Go clitoris stimulator looks like a standard lipstick (albeit, a much larger one.) So, it won’t attract as much attention if found in your bedside table because it more looks like a box, if anything. But, don’t let it’s novelty fool you – this clitoris-stimulator is powerful, and doesn’t actually have any direct contact, thanks to its hollow design, so it won’t over-stimulate you.
Review: American brand Dame Products has just started shipping to the UK, and its lipstick vibrator is both powerful (there are five fabulous speeds) and waterproof. Available in lemon or lavender, it’s easy to hold from many angles, and rounded edges and a soft silicone touch provide vibration with pinpoint accuracy. Even better, it’s USB rechargeable (no batteries) and comes in a travel-friendly package. Perfect for those impending UK staycays…
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