Lighted Shimmer LED Glider by Cal Exotics REVIEW: Didn't Quite Light My Fire, But Was Quite the Torch Anyway

Last month Cal Exotics sent me their First Time Softee Pleaser to review, and it was a toy I didn’t have much use for. It wasn’t the worst toy (at least it didn’t take watch batteries), but just didn’t make much of an impression in any way. Then, earlier this week, I reviewed their Mini Miracle Massager, a powerful electric-powered wand that I compared with the famous Hitachi and Wahl. So in the last couple weeks my feelings have been from low, to soaring high, to somewhere in the middle again with my current review of the Lighted Shimmer’s LED Glider.

This isn’t the first Lighted Shimmer item I’ve reviewed (Bliss Teaser back in August), but I wasn’t quite as impressed with this one. Maybe it’s just the size of the toy that makes the vibrations feel not quite as strong, or even the shape that makes it look as though it doesn’t light up quite as bright.

The packaging is the same twilight purple cardstock box with glow-y writing and a picture of the toy shimmering on the front. As typical with their packaging, there are some product highlights on the back, but no user’s manual inside. However, it’s not very complicated, any idiot could figure out how it works. If you don’t know what to do with it, I’m guessing you have no business using it.

The entire toy is hard, clear purple-tinted plastic with the internal mechanisms completely visible. You can even get a first-hand look at the off-balance spinner that creates the vibrations inside the toy, which is pretty cool. The toy is 7” long, a good 6” of that insertable. Diameter-wise it’s pretty small, only about 1”, with a bulbous head. If it were a bit more girthy, I’d have liked it more in use. It does have several rows just below the head of bumpy texture that make it feel more “draggy” when thrusting, but it’s still not enough to really excite any of my major pleasure-zones inside.

Really, I thought the head was the best part of the design, but because it was still relatively thin, it didn’t create that “popping” feeling I was hoping for.

I already alluded to this, but I wasn’t too impressed with the vibrations either. I, for one, have to have strong vibrations, and these aren’t. Mild- moderate at best- these were a bit too much on the buzzy side for my liking. One good thing though, they are centered at the tip of the toy, which makes this useful as a clit toy as well. To me, it feels much better this way than as an insertable, but if you like slim-line toys, your mileage may fare better.

The story could end right there and this would be just another average toy with nothing too notable about it, but it does have the glowing feature. As you twist the base of the toy to adjust the vibrations from low to high, it starts to glow automatically. The higher you turn the vibrations, the brighter it glows. It kinda took me a while to figure the glowing out, but I think it basically glows from the base and the light reflects up the shaft. It looks pretty cool where the nubs are as each nub picks up the glow and creates their own shadows at the same time.

Obviously, aside from “road-side” appeal of the glowing, this doesn’t make the toy any better in solo use. However, it is fun for couple’s play and for using to get to the bathroom during a power outage. After-all, not everyone has a flashlight next to their bed, but most women keep their vibrators pretty close.


Thank you California Exotics for sending me the Lighted Shimmer LED Glider to review!

Mini Miracle Massager by Cal Exotics: We've Cure Polio, Put A Man On The Moon, And Finally Made A Lightweight Wand

USE

Wands are vibrators that are intended to be used by everyone, and their uses limited only by the imagination. The Miracle Massager by California Exotics is no exception, but it does have a couple extra features that give it an edge up on its counterparts.

This wand is lightweight and smaller than other typical wand-style vibes, but packs the same powerful punch. It’s ideal for those with arthritis or weak joints, or just those who are sick of trying to accommodate oversized toys in their lovemaking.

Similar to the legendary Hitachi Wand, the Miracle Massage has a rounded head that massages broad areas, such as the neck and back. On the side is a neck that protrudes and holds one of the two attachments that come with the wand. One is a rounded cap, similar to what comes with the Wahl. It works great for deep tissue massage and more pin-point stimulation. The other is a long, flat, flexible tongue-like attachment that is perfect for diffuse stimulation, or teasing of any sensitive areas, like the nipples, scrotum and penis, or clit. Or, of course, you could use the base for broad surface stimulation.

MATERIAL / TEXTURE
The entire toy is made with a transparent, light pink PVC. PVC being a type of plastic that is known for being lightweight and long-lasting. The “tongue” attachment is made of TPE, another common sex-toy material. It is a combination of rubber polymer that is known for its strength and ability to produce anywhere from a soft, to solid, feeling material. Both types of material are compatible with both silicone and water-based lubes.

Neither material elicited any notable scent or taste. For the most part, every surface was completely smooth, save for the “tongue”, which had a slightly bumpy texture. Not so much that it felt bumpy in use, but so that it created more drag against the skin and made it feel slightly more tongue-like. The “cap” was completely smooth and glided easily over the skin, making it ideal for multiple uses like back massages or erotic exploration.

Compared to the Hitachi, the head of the Miracle Massager is definitely harder. It has barely any squeeze to it, but is still very comfortable to use. The tongue is the softest part of the toy, with just a mild amount of squeeze and flexibility, more notable over the tip than the thicker part which connects to the toy. While it may have some flex, it is not at all floppy.

DESIGN / SHAPE / SIZE
 No matter how you look at it, this toy is clearly designed with ease of use and comfort in mind. The entire toy is only 8” in total length and weights only 5.6 oz! The handle of the Miracle is the ideal size to grasp, and balanced to hold effortlessly. The end of the handle curves a bit with a bulb on the end that the palm curls around perfectly, making it easy to wield the toy when using it on yourself or someone else. The neck is flexible and will bend approximately 45° in any direction when moderate pressure is applied.

Besides being smaller and more wieldy, the 1 ¾” diameter head has a large knob on the side of it that the one of its two attachments slide onto. They don’t twist on or lock down, but they stay firmly in place. The knob does not come off, so in order to help keep it clean, it’s best to keep the cap on so lubes or other fluids don’t get caught up in it. When you want to use the head directly, simply flip the toy so that the knob side points the opposite way of the skin. This is perfect for general body massage or direct stimulation of the clit or scrotum.

Though the attachments may look a little strange, once you start experimenting with their uses, you will fall in love with the unconventional design. First off is the cap… it’s 1 ½” long and slightly bulbous with a tapered tip. The tip does have a pen-size hole in it, and the purpose of which is unclear. The best use for the cap is application of pressure during massage of sore muscles and direct stimulation of the clit and nipples.

The second attachment is a tongue-shaped 3 ½ by 1 ¾ inch extension that starts fatter and gets thinner and more flexible as it gets to the tip. If you use it up/down, with the tip just barely touching the clit, the vibrations are very powerful and direct. Use it on the flat side and stimulates broadly and diffuses the vibrations. With a flick of the wrist it becomes a lapping tongue. This one isn’t the most suitable for body massages, but it works great on the genitals… clit, penis, scrotum… any place vibrations feel good and sexy.

　
FUNCTIONS / PERFORMANCE / CONTROLS
 Seems like the goal of the Miracle Massager was to take the best parts of the Hitachi and Wahl, as well as a fun tongue-like attachment, and make an affordable, powerful, multi-use electric-powered wand vibrator that has a little something for everyone. The cord is 6 feet long, which can be a bit short, but if you don’t have a power socket near-by, it will plug into a regular extension cord. In use, this wand is much lighter-weight than its counterparts, and smaller as well. However, that does not seem to affect the power-level at all.

The vibrations are a bit deeper and more throbbing than Hitachi, yet not as deep as the Wahl, so it manages to stay almost perfectly in the middle… but does seem to favor the Hitachi‘s buzziness. The wand on high is slightly more powerful than the Hitachi on low. The vibrations are focused on the entire head, and travel very well onto the attachments. So well, in fact, that it is nearly impossible to detect and decrease in power or diffuseness. Very little vibrations travel down the handle.

It has two speeds, low and high. Changing the speeds does not change the pitch of the vibrations, it just increases their intensity. This is controlled via the slider on the side of the toy, which makes it easy to make adjustments or shut-off quickly, but is well placed so that it is not accidentally bumped during use.
The Miracle Massager is a bit on the louder side, and could probably even be heard through a closed door if there is no other noise to drown it out.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE
 The Miracle Massager disconnects from the plug via jack-pin, making it easier to clean. Though this may seem obvious, never attempt to clean the toy while plugged in. Remove the attachments from the toy and wash thoroughly with soap and warm water. Use a damp washcloth and soap to clean the unit itself, taking care not to get water where the cord plugs in. Alternately, toy cleaners can be used as well.

There are no special storage considerations, although it may be wise to consider that anything left plugged in draws electricity, even when not turned on. Also, anything left plugged in can be ruined should there be a power surge.

As far as wand-style massagers go, if you are looking for one to travel with, this is absolutely ideal. While the material should hold up pretty good without a toy pouch, it’s still a good idea to wrap in something just to keep the pieces together and keep help protect it from being banged around.

PACKAGING

The packaging is minimal, but cute and feminine. It arrives in a clear plastic box with a pink flowery-lettered design, and is held in a clear plastic tray. Only minimal directions are included on the side of the box, although most users will not require any instructions for use. The box is recyclable, but probably not suitable for long-term storage or gift-giving.


Thank you Edenfantasys for sending me the Mini Miracle Massager to review!!

ON 4 Her REVIEW: Holy Hot Habaneros! Bring ON the Heat!

This arousal oil is sets the mood in less than two minutes, and makes sex or masturbation hotter than ever. Literally. The unique warming sensation is among some of the most powerful out there and lasts for up to 45 minutes. Dare you to see if you can last 45 minutes when you use it.

USE

ON 4 Her is an arousal gel for women that helps jumpstart blood flow in the clitoris, resulting in increased arousal and quicker orgasm. While it is not intended to be used on other parts of the body, it is useful for couples, especially during “quickies” that may not have as much foreplay.

What makes ON standout from its counterparts is that it creates a very powerful warming sensation, and that the effects last up to 45 minutes! This oil is not at all recommended for sensitive users, this is hot stuff. It is not intended for other body parts, nor does it create the same sensation if you try to use it on nipples or the penis.

It does not tout being organic, but it is not chemical ridden either (see ingredient list below). Those with allergies should check the label, especially if allergic to cinnamon.
　
TEXTURE/VISCOSITY

ON is a clear formula with a slightly yellow tint. It is oil-based and silky in texture, although a bit thicker than most oil-based products. If you put a drop on your finger, it won’t spread out like a watery substance, but yet it is not as thick as gel, it will run if you tilt your hand. This makes it easy to massage into the clitoris without spilling it all over your hand before you get it anywhere near there. It’s recommended that you put the product on your finger and massage in, rather than on the clitoris itself. This is because it is very powerful and you would not want to risk over-applying or accidentally having it drip down into the vagina and creating a “hot hole”.

After massaging on the clitoris, it absorbs quickly in the skin, leaving no sticky or greasy residue what-so-ever. This takes only a minute or two, and than any of your favorite lubes can be applied for slickness. Care does need to be taken to prevent staining though due to the oils. While the small amount that sits on top of your skin won’t rub onto sheets and stain, large spills might.
　
TASTE/AROMA

There is a noticeable scent that ON has, but it is very mild and natural. Rather than smelling like chemicals or candy, the aroma is created from the actual cinnamon oil that is used to create the warming sensation. It smells like the cinnamon spice in a jar, rather than “air freshener” cinnamon. On the skin it is possible to taste the cinnamon a smidge, but it is hardly detectable. If you did not know in advance it was there, it would be difficult to pick up at all. For that matter, it’s hard to tell if it has an actual taste, or if it is just the scent that makes you think you can taste it. Again, unless you have something against cinnamon, I doubt this would be offensive to anyone.
　
PERFORMANCE

Rather than using menthol or peppermint to create a mixture of cooling and warming sensations, ON relies primarily on a cinnamon extract. The result is a sensation similar to its counterparts, but different. Better. The warming sensation begins taking effect within 1-2 minutes and heats up slowly. Where peppermint oils feel a bit cool and tingly before the warming sensation kicks in, ON starts out luke warm and gets hotter over the course of nearly 5 minutes. Similar to how redhot candies feel in your mouth.

The effects are much longer lasting as well. The heat becomes noticeable within about 30 seconds, very pleasant within 2 minutes and continues to reach full effect in about 5-10 minutes. At full effect, the warming is borderline hot. Definitely more powerful than other types of arousal oils. The warming continues at full strength for 10-20 minutes, and then begins to ebb slowly away, noticeably lasting up to 45 minutes. In fact, if your sessions don’t last this long, you may actually need to use soap and water to wash it away because it remains that noticeable, even after sex.

ON is not a lube, nor should it be used as such. Only 1-2 drops of gel is plenty to create a warming sensation, and reducing the amount of oil does not decrease the amount of sensation. If lube is needed, apply 1-2 minutes after the application of ON.

The box states that the ingredients of ON are a “Proprietary Essential Oil Blend”. Below are the ingredients as found on the label, but the descriptions are provided by me based on commonly known uses, and not provided by the manufacturer.

Sweet Almond Oil: A mild, lightweight oil that is a skin emollient often used in massage.
Cinnamomum Cassia: Otherwise known as cinnamon. Aromatic, flavorful, and creates a warming sensation.
Natural Tocopjerols: Otherwise known as vitamin E, used as an antioxidant topically.
Silica: Preservative that prevents the growth of mold.
Phenoxyethanol: Prevents growth of bacteria and yeast
Ethylhexyglycerin: A weak preservative, usually used as a skin conditioning agent.
Rosemary Oil Extract: Anti-microbial preservative with antioxidants and an aromatic scent.

PACKAGING

ON comes in a very small black cardstock box with a hot pink outlined box and the ON logo in mirrored silver. The whole package is so small that it easily blends in with other products if left out, and would actually be hard to pick out unless you were deliberately looking for it.

Inside the box is a 5 ml/ 0.17 fl. oz eye-dropper style bottle helps to ensure that you do not accidentally use too much product. Again the bottle is black with the same hot pink and silver logo on the front. This is very discreet, but cute. It keeps the oil contained well and does not leak or get messy. And happily, it is small enough to be tucked away anywhere, even in a pocket in case you need to use it on the fly.

PERSONAL COMMENTS

I love, love, love this warming oil! In one use it knocked my previous favorite out of contention and quickly became my numero uno go-to product. I love the smell, it reminds me of baking, but yet it is not over-powering or attach to the skin. And the warming is simply amazing. I have never used a product that felt quite so warm, or that maintained that sensation for so long. Usually I find with other arousal gels that the sensations peak in 5 minutes and quickly dissipate. With ON, it gets intense and stays that way a good 30 minutes, which is usually plenty of time for me to orgasm. Especially since it helps engorge the clit.

After 30 minutes I do notice the sensations start to fade slowly. If I was the type to orgasm very quickly (like in 10 minutes or less), this would not be fast fading enough and I would have to go wash up with soap and water because it can be overwhelming afterwards (think of how it feels when you try to use a vibe immediately after orgasm). But like I said, for me, the sensations last the perfect amount of time (most of the time) and I can tolerate it post-orgasm and rather enjoy the slow dying heat.

And I was not kidding above when I talked about a hot hole. I was less than careful one time and got some down there. It is at least as hot down there as it is on the clitoris, and it feels less than pleasant. Of course, if that’s what you’re into, maybe it’s not such a bad thing.
　

Thank you Edenfantasys for sending me ON 4 Her to review!

Tenga Flip-Air Black REVIEW: What'd They Have Against The Chicken?

Recently I reviewed one of the Tenga Eggs, and I loved it! I felt it added a whole new dimension the hand-job. I just didn’t like that it is meant to be disposable. So the search was on for something I could tuck away and use anytime. Something that was low maintenance, safe, discreet, and had a similar fantastic texture to the Egg. The Tenga Flip-Air Black was an obvious choice. Not only did it meet those requirements, but was from the same company that created the Egg.

If you haven’t already read that review, let me quickly catch you up. After a horrible experience with a toy early in my marriage (when I didn‘t know any better!), my husband was unwilling to try anything else. That lasted 7 years, until I introduced the Tenga Egg recently. Having been an enjoyable experience for us both, I wanted to strike while the iron was hot and find something we could use a more permanent basis.

As I had previously with the Egg, I pre-lubed the Flip with the included water-based lube and readied it with the Tenga Hole Warmer. Because the Flip is made to flip open, it has a long slide connector that joins the two halves. When the Flip arrives, and in storage, the slider and L-shaped bottom piece fits to cover the semi-opaque material seen through the opening of the Flip, making it very unassuming in appearance.

In use, however, you need to take the slider off, flip it the opposite way, and it perfectly sits over the top of the Flip, keeping the halves closed and the opening accessible. My biggest complaint with the slider is that it can be a bitch to get on at times, especially if you have lube on your fingers or are working by candlelight. Hell, even in the light of day it can be tricky. If it had a bit more of a lip, it would catch so easily, but it’s very flat, making it hard to get the grooves lined up. With the slider removed completely, the Flip splays itself open like a book, allowing for the easiest cleaning you can get with a masturbation sleeve. And for easy lubing. Or just for rubbing your fingers over the material because it feels cool!

The outside of the sleeve is a hard plastic casing, but the inside is made from the plushest TPR silicone I have ever felt. TPR silicone is a material that contains 10% or more silicone, but is not pure silicone. It is slightly porous, but phthalates-free, tasteless and odorless. Tactilely, it is extremely squishy and stretchy, and almost reminds me of a stable jello. This material can close around and mold to the penis, and accommodate quickly to body temperature.

On top of that, the inside is highly textured. If it were any other material (like, ahem, jelly), it would probably be uncomfortable. But with the softness of the TPR silicone, it just creates a varied stimulation where you can’t really even say exactly what you are feeling, just that it creates a lot of sensations at one time.

I have provided a picture that shows the textures of the interior, with a reminder that the top and bottom half both sport different textures. My hubby and I both like that in terms of simply turning the flip so that the sides are opposite, you could make the toy feel entirely different. The initial two inches aren’t too bad, it’s all the lips that start just past the nobs that take up too much room and limit the size of guy who will fit comfortably in this toy.

So, back to my story, I’ve pre-lubed and warmed the toy, and the man himself. I flip the Flip upside-down and slowly ease down over my hubby’s shaft. I can detect no drag of the material, but it does not accommodate to his size very well. Right away I can tell that the amount of resistance is going to completely inhibit any type of thrusting, lest we risk some sort of injury. The length was okay, it appears to accommodate up to 6 ½” deep. It’s still not going to have enough capacity for the last inch or two on larger guys, but should be enough for just about any size, provided you don‘t mind the limited thrusting room.

The problem is with the diameter. It’s a bit hard to say exactly how big it will hold, but I can say this… when I insert two fingers into the closed Flip, it squeezes them uncomfortably together. And it’s not like I have enormous fingers, I should imagine that they are still going to be smaller than the average penis. For use solo, if the fit is not totally comfortable, you could choose to stroke not quite as deeply, or remove the slider that keeps the two halves together and manually hold it closed. For my little hands at least, holding the Flip is a two hand job, as it is just a bit smaller than a plastic miracle whip jar. And I was nervous because simply angling it bit down could result in his dick getting scratched by the open pieces. Simply not worth it.

For my husband, he can do it one-handed, but finds he likes using both as he has more control. But especially if you chose to do this with the slider off, two hands are going to be a must. We did find as well that using it open did create far less of a vacuum, and therefore, it was quite a bit quieter to use this way. In normal use, this toy is very loudly slurpy.

Of course, one of the most notable features of the Flip is its ability to adjust how much suction/vacuum you use, simply by pressing the buttons on either side of the Flip. However, we were already having problems with this not accommodating his member, and trying to adjust the suction just made it worse. At any rate, I will explain how it works.

At first I couldn’t understand it, and it didn’t help that when I was using it on him I could see or feel anything happening, so I wasn’t sure what it was doing. Later I sat down and played with it until it made sense. Basically, there is a “balloon” that spans the length of the toy in each section. Each one is controlled by it’s perspective button. When the until is closed, push the button in several quick pumps and it inflates the balloon. Push both buttons and they both inflate, and so on. Hold the buttons down and they let the air out. The changing of space in the chamber once his member is inserted creates more of less of a vacuum. But like I said, given that it already lacked capacity for him, this was a feature we didn’t even take advantage of.

CONCLUSION

This toy ended up being a bust for us. It did not allow for the control I felt I had when using the Egg, something I didn‘t completely realize the importance of until I didn‘t have it. For a man to use solo, this might not even be an issue if you‘re looking for something that feels different and does the work for you. But what remained an issue either way, unless you are really looking for something that is going to be extremely tight, this will choke the chicken… and not in a good way. And I really think they should adjust the slider a bit so it is easier to get it back on. Aside from that, I have no issues with the quality, and would even be willing to try one of the other ones, which I’ve heard are a bit more accommodating. On the other hand, I’m reviewing their newest 3D sleeve soon, so maybe that will be better what I’m looking for.


Thank you very much to Edenfantasys for sending me the Tenga Flip-Air Black to review! Psst, use code word "treat" this week to get it, or anything else, for 20% off!