Purchasing Sexual Aids
What to look for and for what reason (Part One).

By Laska Maria of Laskamaria Entertainment Ltd

My favorite topic, sex toys. Everyone, men and women, needs their own personal collection whether for exercise, personal enjoyment or relationship enhancers.

Before I write about different types of toys - dildos and vibators and so on -  let's chat about what adult novelties are made out of.

We call them adult sex toys, but the government, packaging and all the legal terms call them adult novelties. As of date, August 2002, the majority of adult sex toys in North American are sold as adult novelty products. Since adult products are considered novelties they do not have to be FDA approved. We have no regulation with these products on the market.

There are horror stories out there about products, so watch out!

The best protection against low quality adult products is your level of education on these products.

It's your body; therefore, it's your decision. Here are some things to look for:

What is the product made out of?

Silicone

Silicone is the ideal material for adult products, especially for dildos and plugs.

However, I recommend silicone products for any product you consider inserting into your body. Silicone is resilient, retains body heats, remains warm and is non-porous.
In addition, it is easy to clean.

To clean silicone is simple, anti-bacterial soap, warm water; rinse the product well and thoroughly dry before usage or storage. Sterilize your silicone products, three minutes in boiling water, only the silicone part in the boiling water, not the mechanical part.

With silicone being non-porous, means that bacteria will not remain in the product. This is beneficial for women who are prone to yeast infections and vaginal bacteria problems.

The best anal toys should be silicone to protect against bacteria in the anus. Not all silicone products are made equal; check the level of silicone in your products. The lower the level of silicone the more porous.

Jelly Rubber

Jelly rubber is a porous material that can retain bacteria. Jelly rubber toys are cheaper than silicone products; however, bacteria can be a problem. Therefore it is recommended to cover your jelly rubber toys with a condom. To ensure the condom remains on the jelly rubber product, tie off the condom at the end.

Practice the same washing and sharing techniques described in silicone products.

Cyberskin Toys

Cyberskin feels realistic in textures and it feels like skin. It quickly warms to body temperature. It is very resilient which means it can be stretched. However, cyberskin is semi-porous material; therefore, it can contain bacteria after usage. Cyberskin products should be used with a condom.

An excellent recommendation with cyberskin toys is to clean them the same methods as silicone products, except use cornstarch inside and out. (Do no use talcum powder as it has been linked to cervical cancer.)

Plastic

Plastic is clean looking and can be kept bacteria free if cleaned properly. However, plastic toys are very uncomfortable and they do not retain heat. However, they are the cheapest on the market.

Glass

Glass toys look beautiful. However, they are cold and uncomfortable. Be aware that there is limited research on coloured glass with insertion into the vagina or anus. Therefore if you like glass sex toys, clear glass is best. Glass toys are very expensive.

Cornstarch as a Defense against Yeast Infections

Cornstarch is used frequently in third world countries for the female fight against bacteria and yeast in the vagina and anus. The usage is simple; just dust your underpants or your vagina and anus. A cheaper, natural product than over-the-counter yeast infection medication.

Cleaning and Storage

Cleaning your products is very important to prolonging the life of your products and to protect you against bacteria and yeast infections. Store your products in a dust-free storage place, a satin bag, a bathroom bag or a drawer. Do not store your products in plastic bags or wrappers.  Remember not to share products and wash before insertion between the anus and the vagina.

Now that you understand the importance of the materials adult products are made out of, watch out for Part 2 of this article 'Purchasing Sexual Aids - To Vibrate or Not To Vibrate'.

For further information and education, go to www.laskamaria.com
 

Lubricant & Topical Cream Products & Workshop

So starting tomorrow I have organized a Lubricant & Topical Cream Workshop (non sexual) as I realized over the past years that so many people do not know what product works best for themselves.

So I have organized this monthly or maybe twice a month workshop on Lubricants & Creams.  I started requesting samples from lots of different suppliers and I was quite shocked at the response.  Suppliers were fantastic offering so many products and information.  They are so supportive of this workshop.  Therefore the first couple of workshops will be FREE of CHARGE - but you must register.

I have organized a fantastic group of products with over 15 Organic Lubricants & Topical Creams.

So some of the companies that are going to be included:


Hathor - a local Canadian company - they have 3 amazing flavour lubricants using Stevia as the active ingredient for the flavour with Horny Goat Weed.  The flavours include Coconut Orange, Hazelnut Caramel and Chocolate Strawberry.

Toko Lubricants from Shunga another fantastic Canadian company offering their Water-based Lubricant, Silicone and their new Organic Lube made from Organic Glyercin.  The Toko Lubricant flavours include: 6 different ones which are light and silky and not sticky.


Intimate Organics from Canada which manufacture these amazing different products all organic ingredients.  We have four lubricants made out of Aloe Vera which mixes of Sea Kelp and Guava Bark and Lemongrass.   But what I researched from this company are some G-Spot & Clitoral Gels and Creams including an Anal Relaxing Spray.  Even if the majority of there products use Organic Sunflower and/or Almond Oil.  The ingredients are amazing and I really liked these items and I am so looking forward to the workshop on this product line.

Two of my favourite product lines are the Sensitille Clitoral Cream for Women and the Cream of Man.  This product main ingredient is the Peppermint Oil and Ginseng Extract.  Fantastic creams.

Then my favourite Lubricants are Gun Oil and Pink and I have the whole range of water-base and silicone.  I have always liked products with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera with simple packaging.

Of course there will be the the big USA manufacturers of Lubricants from Wet, ID, Stud 100, Probe and Slippery Stuff and the JO System products.

Overall there are 40 different products to test and sample, all condom compatible.  I am so excited about teaching about these products and watching the participants find the best product for them.

If anyone is in Vancouver, BC on Thursday nights from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm - please contact me at laska@sexedwithatwist.com or call 604-657-7840 or via this link

http://www.sexedwithatwist.com/vancouver_workshops.html

Sex Ed with a Twist, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) - Event Planner, Vancouver, Wedding, Corporate, Coordinator, British Columbia

Sex Ed with a Twist, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) - Event Planner, Vancouver, Wedding, Corporate, Coordinator, British Columbia

Sex Questions and Level of Questions from Customers and Clients

So for the last few months I have been working at Ultra Love store on Davie Street in Vancouver, BC, on Sunday afternoon and the occasional 'call -in sick shifts'.  The last few months I am quite surprised in the level of questions and information that clients and customers are requesting.

I am surprised at the high level of questions which customers ask at a 'Brick & Mortor" Sex Store, from Blow Job, Hand Job questions to really personal information about themselves.

Which has made me think about the Adult Novelty Home Party market in more depth.  I have been organizing Sex Toy Parties around Vancouver, BC for almost 10 years, and I have to comment, they are becoming more and more challenging.  The level of sexual knowledge and questions that are being asked today.  The internet has given us the ability to research, search and educate ourselves on all the topics that "were a bit difficult to learn about from a library book". 

And SEX is one of the best areas to learn about from the privacy of the internet.  If you have questions or concerns - then it is just a click away to read the answer to your question or inquiry.

I know from personal experience that without the internet the questions that I get asked either at a party or at the store, I would only know limited sexual education. 

So personally I think it is fantastic that the level of questions and inquiries are becoming more and more specific, direct and personal.  So keep them coming!!!!

Seattle Sex Stores

This past week, I decided to drive across the US / Canada border to visit Seattle.  The drive was fantastic, only 3-4 hours in length, you have to love the US highway system of 4-5 lanes!!!  Originally I was planning on attending the International Lingerie Show in Las Vegas but changed my mind and from the feedback from the Lingerie Show I made the right choice.  The traffic at the Lingerie Show was slow.  So off to Seattle I drove.

So I managed to visit 3 stores in the Seattle area, first was the Lovers store in Everett which is really nice off I5 towards Everett Mall Hwy.  Lots of parking and a huge store with lots of square footage.  A large variety of lingerie and toys and I found the discount rack of lingerie an excellent deal, with discounts plus 2 for 1 deals.

What I really liked about this store is the large product demo section of condoms, which is fantastic.  They sell condoms in singles and you have the option to touch the texture of the condoms available and then place all your condom purchases in a plain paper bag.  This store had a large selection of the Wanachi products from Pipedream, which is a fantastic line of vibrators and attachments at reasonable prices.  I noticed they had the new Wanachi keychain units using 4 cell batteries, cute and strong vibration.  I can not wait for them to be available here in Canada.

All their selection of herbal sex pills are fantastic, expense but good quality units.  Definitely worth visiting if you are interested in the pills!!!  Here in Canada especially BC, herbal sex pills are very difficult to purchase.

So the next store, I visited was the famous Babeland Seattle on East Pike Street, a very hip and trendy area, with cute boutiques and independent coffee shops.  I really like the layout of the store, really simple, clean and lots of product demos out.  They only had a few movies to purchase and I was looking forward to seeing classic movies in DVD format, but they only had the Debbie Does Dallas DVD.  I really wanted the Opening of Misty Beethoven.  I finally got to see the new Duke from Fun Factory all the Nomia silicone products and Sasi.  They really promote their workshops and classes and their book written by the owners, about Better Orgasms.  I enjoyed the store, and the ladies were nice but nothing special as I thought the sales girls would take a more informative approach to some of my questions, which were very basic.

My last store was another Lovers store.  Just a bit of background about Lover's stores, they have under a dozen stores, all over Washington State.  They are owned by Peekay, a wholesaler for Washington State.  This last store was in Burlington, right behind Cascade Mall.  I loved their DVD section, which was full of Digital Playground movies, from the new Top Guns, Nurses, Cheerleaders, All American Girl, Pirates (one and two) and then a huge section of Wicked Movies with Jessica Drake, more couple friendly style of movies. The sales girl was very helpful and really nice.  But once again I have to be honest in all three stores the sale girls were larger women and had a small collection of tattoos and younger.

I had a great day in the Seattle area visiting stores.  Of course I did some shopping and purchased some great shoes!!

Fraser Valley Taboo Sex Show 2011

This past weekend, I attended and conducted a couple of seminars at the Fraser Valley Taboo Sex Show which was located in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.  For those who knows about Abbotsford, BC, it is the 'bible belt' section of British Columbia, Canada.  Even though Abbotsford claims to be very religious - it is also considered the gang and murder capital of Canada.  So this area has different opinions and viewpoints!!!

So this past weekend on my hour drive to the Fraser Valley to the Tradex location which is next to the Abbotsford airport, I was surprised by the religious protesters outside the gates, claiming that God will judge me for my sexual acts!!!  I love protesters - good and free media!!!

So the show itself, honestly the 'vibe' at the Taboo Sex Shows are always the same.  Bargain basement products and supplies.  On the show floor you get your variety of different Toy Stores, but they are all trying to under-cut each other's pricing.  And now there are lots of Smoke, Pipe, Piercing etc and etc, which all are under the category about Sex.

But seriously when the original Everything to Do with Sex Show first came to Vancouver at the Plaza of Nations in 2002, the atmosphere was about learning and showcasing products.  The price of the booth back then was very reasonable so as a business owner you didn't have to "sell all your product" to make the base price of the show.  I know the cost of the Abbotsford Taboo Sex Show 10 x 10 foot booth is over $1000.00 before carpet, hydro, lights etc.  So maybe that is why all the booths are fighting over the customers and causing the pricing wars???

So did I see any new toys or products at the Taboo Show.  No, nothing too exciting, I didn't even see the 'last year items" like the new Ride'em from Doc Johnson, or the Soraya from Lelo, or the new lubricants from Jo Lube or Gun Oil Hybrid from Empowered Products.  And from Fun Factory they had all the older re-chargeable vibrators from the old Delights and Sinnfluts.  I did not see the new YOOOO, Biminis or even the new Duke from Fun Factory.  So as for products - if you want to get a discount on older items, this is the place to go.

Now as for my seminars, I had such a great time with the attendees.  My seminar was really mellow and basic, focusing on Couples and Positions called 'Thinking outside the Box".  A simple seminar on re-discovering the basic positions to help improve your orgasms, energy and blood flow and realizing that good sex is all about having your body in comfortable angles.  The attendees of my seminars were great, they asked lots of questions and I hoped some of my comments and suggestions helped them realize that the discovery and energy of sex is always a learning quest!!!

So if anyone attended the Taboo Sex Show last weekend in Abbotsford and attended my seminars and wanted to email me direct for questions, products or more about my seminars please contact me at laska@sexedwithatwist.com

Debbie Does Dallas Video

So this morning with a coffee in hand, I decided to watch the original "Debbie Does Dallas' DVD from the 1970's, staring Bambi Wood.  This porn flick is fantastic, no wonder it is rated as the 5th highest grossing porn flick today.

The story is classic with the cheerleaders all helping Debbie to get to Dallas to try out for the Dallas Cheer leading Squad.  These high school girls realize that working part-time jobs are not going to 'financially cut it'.  Therefore they start a "business" in offering services - therefore relying on the oldest trade in the world for women to be financial independent.  But remember they are nice girls and they are trying to help Debbie.

So the acting isn't up to today's standards but the whole feel of this classic porn flick is that it is light-hearted and simple and from my opinion, everyone is having a good time!!

To those viewers who are not use to excessive amounts of pubic hair, well then don't watch the classic 70's porn.  But I love the natural tits and the actors and actress light- hearted approach to the theme and script.

There was this one scene where two of the cheerleaders are servicing a married man since the rain started and they couldn't finish washing his car, but they still needed some money.  Therefore they did some extra services.  Why this one cheerleader is calling out "put it in my ass" but I guess porn in the 70's didn't show too much anal sex therefore, I really didn't know if he penetrated her vaginally or anally.  Oh well, with all that pubic hair who knows???

I really enjoyed the movie and it was the first time I have ever seen it.  Finally.  I also did some reading about the movie and the main star Bambi Woods only received $400 for the film.   This star also only did a handful of movies and disappeared from the industry.

If you like classic porn, then this video is definitely a keeper.

Basic Vibrator Review

So lately, I have been selling your Basic Plastic or TPR coated Basic Straight Vibrator.  One of the first types of vibrators on the market.

Simple straight, dial control for speeds, the original Basic Vibes only took C batteries but now the majority take AA or AAA or N or Cell Batteries, but I am shocked that they are still selling.

Why are they selling so well, welcome to the economy, where all the basics are coming back into "play".  They are cheap, simple, reliable and long lasting compared to all the other items on the market.

Today we want the quick orgasm at a reasonable price.  Lucky there are lots of varieties of the Basic Straight Vibrator out there, and prices are very reasonable.  Simple, quick and easy.

Your Local Neighbourhood Sex Toy Party: Sex Ed With A Twist | Sex Life Canada

Your Local Neighbourhood Sex Toy Party: Sex Ed With A Twist | Sex Life Canada

Sex Toys - Basic Rant and Rave Part 1

I have been importing and manufacturing bullets and sleeves for almost 7 years and I am still shocked at the Sex Toys on the market.

My products are so basic: silicone sleeves, easy to wash, clean, replace, use.  Bullets powerful, some quiet and the cheap ones are noisy.  Simple, simple, simple.  Majority of women and men use the basic bullets and sleeves.

These opinions are mine about what Sex Toys & Companies, I have seen on the market.

First Fun Factory out of Germany.  I have been dealing with this company for years and honestly their products are a love and hate relationship.

Fun Factory originally had some of the best motors, mechanics and silicone on the market, and today I have such a difficult time with their vibrating units, so many problems!!!  The silicone is amazing, but the level of defectives in the motors are appalling!!  I loved the original Mermaids and Double Green Worms, but then they changed the motor!!  Oh my god, what happened, no power, louder and less functions.  What happened???

Today Fun Factory has the new re-chargeable vibrators only in mini form and honestly they are really good units.  Except the Delight, which splits from the silicone & plastic section, oh what an embarrassment for client who's sex toy splits in half.

I cannot wait until they change the regular size Generation 3 into re-chargeable units.  The click and charge for the re-chargeable vibrators are very innovative and fantastic.

Seriously, the Generation 3 units need this technology, as AAA batteries in regular size vibrators don't work well , no power, no juice!!!

As for the Smartballs, excellent units!!! And all the Dildos, except the Worm Anal Beads which creep me out.  This Cobra vibrator for men, cool idea but they weight a ton and a half for shipping.  Too expensive.

And now these new Ball things, I haven't seen yet but they look like Children toys or those Back Massagers that look like a Octopus???  I don't know yet.

Next is Lelo from Sweden.  Good marketing campaign and beautiful looking products.  But too expensive for the Canadian Western Market!!!  Shipping is expensive.

I love the feel and the vibration is amazing.  The only downside other than the price is the re-charging hole in the vibrator.  This little hole for the plug and cord is covered by a small attached silicone insert.  If that insert is not tightly placed in the hole and water gets near it, bye bye product!!!

Major problem as we excited women don't take the time to insure all the parts are closed up properly.  What do you expect from a half dozed orgasmic women.  Honestly, you try following sex toy cleaning instructions after an orgasm???!!!

Now these New Lelo Soraya - I think that is the name.  These are the new Lelo which has the Gold trim around the vibrator shaft and comes with this pin.

First the Pin, what is it for???  Why is it there?

Next problem, how do you clean these new items where the silicone meets the gold plastic???  Major clean defect???  How do you keep it clean???

One thing Lelo got right with their new products was that recharging hole in the vibrator, they did a good job making it easy and waterproof, no more little covers.

So today we covered Fun Factory and Lelo, wait until next time to chat about other products.  Keep in tune.

Another Porn Star Book - Linda Lovelace

Now for those who know there Porn Stars, Linda Lovelace was the Star in the 1970's Deep Throat movie.  This movie made crazy money and still popular today with Porn Cult.  Believe it or not this 'star' only receive under $2000.00 for the movie but it made her famous.  So finally I got a copy of one of her biographies "The Intimate Diary of Linda Lovelace".
Wow, what a book, the 'shit' women had to put up with in this adult industry.  First I read it in context and took in the information, but the second time I read it, I realized how damaged this women was.
She enjoyed sex and doing everything under the sun, including some bestiality, (under this sick freak in 1960's who produced women fucking dogs, on 8 mm film).
Back to Ms. Lovelace, she loved sex but she never really enjoyed it as it was used as tool to receive love and then the more I read into the book, the more I realized that she is really similar to many women I meet everyday, who find themselves not happy with sex, but the underlying theme is that they are not happy with their love and themselves.  Just my thoughts, I will write more very shortly.

Starting a Blog

Even though I have had my website www.laskamaria.com for 8 plus years.  Finally I have decided to start a Blog Site about Sex Stuff, since my website and Article & Opinion Page is okay, I needed something a bit updated and modern.  So this Blog called Laska's Sex Ed Stuff.  So I can chat about other interesting Sex related information and maybe a couple of Sex Toy reviews etc.

So to start off - I have spent the last few weeks reading out-dated, hard-to-find, Porn Star / Ex-Hooker Biography Books.  First was Virginal Graham - the drugged-up outrageous LA Hooker who helped unleash the details about the Charles Manson murders and cult.  The Book is called 'The Joy of Hooking", fantastic reading.  Finally I understood the desire for one to take "Poppers" during an orgasm.  In my future blogging, I will explain "Poppers".  Also how much money this mother who had something like 3-4 kids (never raised herself) got caught up with Gifts, Money and Swinging in the 1960 - 1970's LA party scene.  Unbelievable that a woman could be so involved with asshole men and make money from it.  From all the crazy sex stories, about three-some, lesbian loving, famous people like our favourite singer, Mr. Blue Eyes, to her abusive husbands, and yes that is plural.  The reason how she got thrown in jail, was over a un-paid medical bills, which is how she meet Susan, the woman who killed for Charles Manson.  Fantastic read, amazing book, if you ever come across it, hard to find.  Keep in tune.