When it comes to buying sex toys, the sheer amount to choose from can be downright overwhelming.  Not only do you have types of toys to pick from (ie. vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, fetish gear, etc.), but each type comes in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and, of course, materials.  It’s enough to make anyone close their eyes, grab the first thing their hand touches and head to the register.  Let HotMovies4Her ease those decision-making fears with a look into four of the most exciting sex toy materials.

Silicone:  In my humble opinion, silicone is the bees knees of sex toy materials.  Along with being just the right consistency to allow for a little give, this magical material is phthalate free*, hypo allergenic and totally body safe.  Being non-porous, it’s super easy to clean and sterilize (drop in boiling water for 3-5 mins, stick in the dishwasher – top shelf, no soap) or wipe with a 10% bleach solution), which means you can share it safely with others.  Silicone heats up to body temperature fast and is nearly indestructible – just be sure not to nick or cut it, and do not use it with silicone lube, as they will melt each other.

Metal:  If you are looking for heavy duty awesomeness, 100% medical grade stainless steel is the way to go.  Solid, weighty and smooth, this material will make you feel filled to capacity, and only require the smallest dollop of lube to get, and stay, super duper slick (and you can use any type of lube).  As well, stainless steel is perfect for temperature play, heating up and cooling down quickly (you can stick in a warm water bath to heat it up, and an ice water bath to cool it down).  Also phthalate free and totally body safe, and with no motors to die, meltable qualities or any other Kryptonite, these amazing toys will last you forever and ever.

Glass:  The perfect mix of form and function, glass toys are as strong and smooth as they are a sight to see.  You could perch these beautiful toys on the mantle just as easily as stuffing them in your orifice of choice.  And not to worry about the fragile factor – toys made of glass are shatterproof and will not smash into shards in your vag (or ass, or wherever you put it!)  And just like metal, glass cools down easily, heats up to the perfect temp quickly and only takes a dot of lube to keep it goin and going.  Also phthalate free and body safe!

Hard Plastic:  Just as with the other materials, hard plastic is non-porous and phthalate free, making it awesomely body safe, but unlike those other materials mentioned, hard plastic as one important quality worth mentioning – it is inexpensive.  That’s right, while silicone, metal and glass are all fairly pricey materials, hard plastic is definitely a cheaper alternative that can give you the same nicely filled feeling.  While it cannot be sterilized by boiling, hard plastic can easily be shared by using condoms and swapping them out between people.
Remember, this only scratches the surface of all the awesome sexy toy materials out there, so start with this list and do your research from there.  Enjoy and don’t forget to have fun!

xoxo
-JD

* phthalates are chemicals made to soften plastics and have been found to be not so great for your body.

Happy Masturbation Month to all! About sixteen or so years ago, the fine folks over at sex toy shop Good Vibrations declared May to be the month that we truly celebrate all things self love. I don’t know about you, but we here at HM4Her couldn’t be more excited to bring a little extra attention to solo sexin’. To help promote the awesomeness of jerkin’ off, we thought we’d tell you about some of our favorite ‘masturbatory aids’ (don’t you just love that phrase?)!

The Pure Wand

Holy crap is this thing amazing.  Three years after reviewing it, this 1.5lb. hunk o’ stainless steel is still at the top of my toybox. Originally designed to hit the prostate (or P-Spot), it was quickly discovered that this delicious wand has the exact curvature to hit the G-Spot dead on and produce a whole lot of seriously hot female ejaculation.  I’m not sure what deal njoy Toys made with the Devil to make such an awesome toy, but I am so very thankful they did.

Hitachi Magic Wand

Speaking of wands, it’s pretty much criminal to leave out the plugged-in horsepower of the Hitachi Magic Wand.  Getting folks off for years and years, the Hitachi is a power-packed speed machine that brings one of the most intense sex toy buzzes out there.  It may be packaged and sold as a ‘massager,’ but your bits will thank you for years to come.

MIA

Discreet, powerful and UBS-charged, the MIA is a mini vibe that’s perfect for getting off when you’re on the go.  Lelo broke the mold when they came up with this awesome little body-safe toy.  Only downside – someone might mistake it for a lipstick in your purse and accidentally stumble upon your tasty little secret.

Ophoria Rapture #5

Sometimes when it comes to getting yourself off, it’s all about sticking a toy up your butt!  And nothing feels quite like the thick, graduated bulbs of the Ophoria Rapture #5.  With a nice hefty weight, a sturdy design and length/girth for days, #5 may not be right for a first timer (though it very well may be!), but folks that have been around the booty block a few times will be grateful for all it has to offer.  Plus all Ophoria toys are made from quality materials (yay silicone!), which means this anal adventurer is totally body-safe, easy to clean and will last for a long, long time.

Topsy Turvy

Masturbation and penetration rhyme, so clearly they go together like peanut butter and jelly, and when it comes to penetration, glass is a fantastic medium.  Hard, smooth and heavy, glass is filling, slippery (only needs a drop of lube) and is a pretty as it is sexy.  The toy that tops our glass list is the Topsy Turvy.  The curve of this particular Doc Johnson dil is fantastic and the nicely flared base and bulb at the bottom are the perfect handles, even the most slick of lubed up fingers.  And don’t worry about the fragility of glass, this type of glass is shatterproof and definitely won’t break in your bits.

For more seriously awesome toys, check out our Toy Review Section!

And don’t forget to get your celebration on while Masturbation Month is still in effect!

xoxo
-JD

Some people love vibrators.  Some swoon over anal toys.  Me?  I am a dildo fan through and through.  Sure, I can be enticed by the methodic buzz of a vibe at times, but when it comes to my go-to toys to get me off, you can be rest assured that a dildo is what I am reaching for.  But don’t think just any dildo will do, my friend – oh no, I am quite specific when it comes to anything that fills me up just right.  First of all, it needs to be body-safe, meaning that the toy is free of harmful chemicals (like phthalates).  Then I go for easy to clean, firm and filling, and interesting.  And that’s just what I got when I opened up my Icicles No. 11 glass dildo from Sextoys.com

Half sculptural art, half hot fuck toy, the Icicles No. 11 (not to be confused with njoy’s eleven!) is a beautiful   hand-blown glass wand from Pipedream Products.  Along with being body-safe, easy to clean and filling, the #11 is chock full of interesting textures to experiences.  Within its 7 inch body, the No. 11 offers up a rounded end with lots of little nubs on it, a nice bulbous bump, a handful of ridges and a smooth rounded tip.

While I’ll be the first to admit that it was a little too many different stimulations for me in a short toy, I’m sure I would be the minority vote when it comes to this clear glass delight.  What can I say – if vibes are too much distraction for me, a bunch of various stimulations is going to make my vag fly off the handle.  But really, I am loud and proud accepting my pickiness and need to control exactly what my vagina is feeling.   Can’t you tell that I’m a Virgo?  I will say that if I put it in and just let if alone, the No. 11 felt damn good.  So even if textures aren’t your jam, this you could still be your favorite in the toybox!

Before I totally forget to mention it, I need to talk about my favorite thing about glass toys – they temperature adjust so damn quickly.  Run this baby under warm weather to heat it up nicely, or pop in an ice water bath to chill it out for a nice shocking treat.  Temperature play, mixed with the smoothness of the glass makes it so super fun to play with.

All you need is the teeny tiniest drop of lube to keep this guy going for a good long time.  And let’s just get this out of the way right now.  No, this toy will not shatter inside you and cut you up – this specific kind of glass is designed to fuck with!  You can breathe easy (and hard if you want to) with this amazing, hand-crafted dildo.

All in all, the Icicle No. 11 is a fantastic glass wand dildo that comes at just the right price to please both your body and your wallet.

Try an Icicles No. 11 of your own!

Happy Earth Day! While many of us already do (or should!) make sure to appreciate the Earth and nature every day, April 22nd is a special day we carve to out celebrate and bring awareness to the amazingness that is the Earth.  And what’s a better way to show our love for all things earthly than to talk about sex toys!

In recent years, the sex toy industry has realized that folks are way more environmentally conscious, as well as looking for toys that safe for their bodies, and followed suit, offering up a delicious assortment of treats that are as eco-awesome as they are hot.  Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic natural materials that rock our bodies to the limit, while making sure that our earth-lovin’ politics are still in tact.

Wood: Forget everything you are thinking about wood.  No, these amazing toys will not break inside you and leave heinous splinters!  Wood toys are specifically designed and covered in body safe finish that keeps them smooth, protected and in perfect fucking order for a long time to come!  These usually beautiful bad boys are phthalate-free and super easy to clean (anti-bacterial soap and water).  Check out our review of the Nobessence Allure

Metal: Made of 100% medical grade stainless steel, metal toys are some seriously sex high quality playthings.  Not only are they super easy to clean (and sterilize), they warm up fast, cool down quickly and generally make you feel filled to capacity.  And with no motors to die, meltable qualities or any other Kryptonite, these amazing toys will last you forever and ever.  Check out the Pure Wand, our personal fav, by Njoy Toys.

Glass: Talk about beautiful!  As strong and smooth as they are a sight to see, glass toys are a fantastic option for a weighty, but not as heavy as metal toy.  And just as with the wood, worry not, toys made of glass are shatterproof and will not smash into shards in your cooch (or ass, or wherever!)  They cool down easily, or heat up to a perfect temp, and only take the tiniest dollop of lube to stay nice a slick.  Plus they are quite the mantle decor!  Amazing art and a way to get off – total win!  Take a peek at our review for the Topsy Turvy glass dildo!

Rechargable Toys: While not a material, per se, rechargeable toys are the bees knees in our book!  Anything that skips the battery middleman to get power is our kind of toy.  While plug in toys are great, sometimes they aren’t as practical in a sexy situation, but battery operated toys not only mean more waste, they have the power to drop dead in the middle of the hottest moments ever.  But not rechargeables (though they can die, but really, then it’s your own fault)!  They keep going and going…  We reviewed the Je Joue Mimi just for you to read!

This is obviously just a quick taste of all the amazingly hot materials and toys the world has to offer, but next time you are looking for something smooth and feisty to get you going, think back to all the naughty naturals we talked about today and use your eco-boner to lead the way. Happy Earth Day folks! Now go hump a tree or something…

xoxo
-JD

Just in case any of you are living in a cave, the holiday season is officially here. There are so many great things to look forward to, but if you’re anything like me, you’re way behind in your shopping. I absolutely love finding the perfect gift for my friends and family, but I abhor the mobs of shoppers I’m bound to encounter if I leave the house between now and 2011. For the past few years I’ve done a ton of online shopping and read a lot of blogger’s guides for suggestions.

Since we’re lucky enough to review tons of great products (not to mention the crap we never highlight) we thought it would be useful to put together an official HotMoviesforHer.com XXX Gift Guide. What follows is a collection of items we love and often give as gifts ourselves!

Form 3: I haven’t had a chance to review JimmyJane’s Form 3 officially yet, but I freaking love it! I think it’s a really great couples vibe and the perfect gift for those of you looking to splurge a bit. The Form 3 is made from body-safe silicone, rechargeable and I love the intimacy of the thin silicone that allows you to direct the vibration with your fingers instead of keeping an inch of sex toy between you and your partner. I’ll review it fully in the near future, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to recommend it here because it’s one of my favorites of 2010!

Lube!! Lube is a great stocking stuffer and I’ve highlighted a bunch of great stuff this year. Here are my favorites! Pink Lemonade Swirl Babelube Sliquid Organics Natural Gel Pure Aqua

Babeland Bondage Tape If you’re on a budget this year and looking for something a little kinky, you can’t go wrong with a roll of this stuff! It doesn’t catch on hair, skin or clothing, so it’s perfect for blindfolds, gags or binding your partners wrists. It’s really only limited by your imagination!

Iconic Smoothie: I don’t think it’s too shocking to anyone that there are two JimmyJane toys on this list.  Pretty much everything they touch turns to delicious gold – even old school hard plastic vibe that’s stood the test of time since they started making modern vibrators specifically for lady bits.  This all-white, straight shot shaft did more for me that most of the bells and whistles laden toys I tested this year, thrusting it firmly to the top of my list.  And at only $20, it practically buys itself.  Plus the packaging is perfect at making this affordable vibe look like a big-ticket buy.

Topsy Turvy: Sex toy or sculptural showpiece for the mantle – you decide.  This curvy glass toy is just as perfect for display as it is for super hot romps around the bedroom.  Added bonuses include top notch temperature play, a heft that helps it zone in on the g-spot and the a fabulous bulb at the bottom that doubles as an easy-to-use handle.  All those features, as well as being phthalate-free, shatter-proof and super easy to clean bring this sexy toy to the top of my 2010 list!  Plus, how amazing would this beautiful dildo look underneath the tree?

Soraya by LELO: While everything they do is pretty much genius, high-end sex toy makers LELO has seriously topped themselves with their ultra luxe Insignia line.  The line features three vibes (all different styles), but the one that stood out that I just needed to review was the dual action Soraya.  Made of the highest quality silicone and ABS plastic, this full water-proof, rechargeable toy rocks two motors that function separately and 8 different vibration modes.  I really loved that you can turn off the shaft buzzing, yet still keep the clit going super strong.  I give this vibe two thumbs up just for that!  Oh and Soraya comes with a special Insignia logo brooch that is elegant enough to pair with fancy duds – which means you can bring the memory of your dirtiest play time with you wherever you go!

Give Santa a run for his money this year and stock up on the gifts people really want!

xoxo
-The Ladies of HM4Her

Happy nearly Thanksgiving!!!  It’s that time of year when we, your friendly neighborhood smut peddlers, sit down and think about all the  amazing things in our lives that we have to be thankful for – other than the fact that we have the most awesome jobs on earth, of course.  This time around we decided to do it up right and give a Turkey Day a little Top Five Tuesday lovin’.  So in no particular order, here are a few of the many things we are so grateful to have in our lives.

J.D.

Screw Smart: I don’t talk about it too much, since it doesn’t have to do with HM4Her really, but I am 1/3 of the fabulous sex positive, pleasure-based, adult sex education collaborative that is Screw Smart.  The other two ladies that teach sexy sex ed with me are absolutely a-freaking-mazing and I thank my lucky stars daily that I get to be in their presence, let alone doing my dream work along side them.

Courtney Trouble’s Movies: While in past years I’ve expressed by love of queer porn, this time around I figured I would go straight to the source of so much of the queer sex on camera I like so very much – and that delicious center is Courtney Trouble.  This super sexy director could seriously pull a mind-blowingly hot performance out of a rock on the ground.  Girl is that good!  Trouble has a knack for matching up performers and the footage that comes out of her camera is pure magic.  I am thankful for all of her fabulous movies – some of which include Nofauxx Roulette, Seven Minutes In Heaven: Coming Out, and Speakeasy.

Glass Toys: We spend a ton of time gushing about silicone toys here at HM4Her, but this Thanksgiving, I am all about preaching the awesomeness of glass!  Not only is this wonderful material phthalate free and easy to clean and sterilize (boil), it holds temperature like a champ and gives you that good old “filled” feeling.  Plus most glass pieces are amazingly beautiful too.  It’s a win-win all around!

My Animal Friends: Earlier this year my roommate and I took in a lovely little mutt who we named Truvy.  Of course we are totally in love with her (how could you not be!?) and she makes the family complete, but with Truvy, the pet-to-people ratio in our house is totally off.  That’s right, we have more animals than people in our home, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I am so thankful to have this little lady hanging out by my side!

Meeting April Flores!: April Flores is freaking awesome. It’s just true. I’ve had a total porno crush on this zaftig beauty since I first saw her in porn, so many moons ago. So of course I jumped at the opportunity to not only meet her, but to interview her too! It was seriously fabulous and she is a total gem! I am so thankful that I got to help her celebrate her Feminist Porn Award wins and generally meet this amazing lady.  I can’t even express my excitement in this picture.

I had to hijack JD’s blog and add my two cents:

Not Working: I love my job, but this year my boss was kind enough to give me five weeks off to move and travel. My girlfriend and I hiked almost 150 miles of this gorgeous country, ate well and read until it was dark. I came back to Hotmoviesforher.com completely re-energized and have been riding high ever since. Now when I start freaking out about all of the work I have to do, I remember that lady who was dirty and hiding in the woods from Bison and realize she’ll get it all done. I’m really glad I got the chance to step back from life for a short while and live!

Bend Over Boyfriend: One of my favorite things about this job is getting to offer movies like Fatale Media’s Bend Over Boyfriend to a whole new audience. We worked hard to sign a ton of great new studios this year, but it’s offering these little obscure classics that really make me proud. I hope a whole new generation of pro-sex peeps appreciate just how groundbreaking this movie was when it was released. Another studio that has to be mentioned here is S.I.R. Productions – It was a long time coming, but they’re finally available on VOD!

Happy Turkey Day, Pervs!

- The Porn Librarian

It’s not every day that I get a sex toy that doubles as a sculptural showpiece – especially one that looks just as good on my mantle as it does in my vag. But that is just what the Topsy Turvy glass dildo is! Clear glass, with a swirling red ribbon running through the inside and a bunch of raised bumps towards the base, the Doc Johnson toy is elegant and totally worthy of a place on a prominent shelf, yet still just as deliciously sexy and fun once you take it down for a night in the sack. This is serious form, function and full package artistry all in one.

Glass is a fabulous material for toys for so many reasons. Along with being available in all kinds of sizes, shapes and colors, these organic toys are tempered for strength (no shattering!) and specifically designed for maximum pleasure. Glass is phthalate free, non-porous and super easy to clean (boilable, dishwasher safe, bleach mix). Because it is naturally heavy, toys made of glass have a fabulous heft to them that seems to guide to the toy directly to your g-spot. And we can’t forget about temperature play! Glass toys can be heated or chilled to enhance your fun and keep their temperature nicely. Just use a bowl of hot water or ice water to change it up so you can get down!

Topsy, turvy and totally curvy in all the right places, this glass toy is a 1 lb. dildo with 6 ¼ insertable inches, 1 ½” diameter and a whole lot of sex appeal. Perfectly poised to press against your g-spot and stay there, the dildo features a “mushroom top” tip (like a circumcised penis) and the signature curve of a g-spot toy. While it’s not particularly super long or super thick, its dimensions would be perfect for someone starting out with a harder material toy. Pieces made of glass or metal lack the give that other, softer, materials offer. Glass/metal can give you a sensation of being “filled up” more so than toys made out of silicone or rubber, which can make a big toy seem giant. The Topsy Turvy fills you up, but not to the point of being uncomfortable.

Along with all the fabulous features above, I also really appreciate that the Topsy Turvy has a defined base that acts and a handle, AND an additional bulb at the end of the insertable inches to work as a handle as well. The extra handle is great when you’re enjoying this toy solo. It was way easier for me to use the bulb for control, rather than try to reach the flared base. As well, the raised bumps and designs at the bottom double as awesome finger grips for when your fingers are nice and lubed up. And speaking of lube, glass toys can take any kind of lube, and you only need the smallest amount. The smooth glass only needs a teeny bit of encouragement to get super slippery and stay that way.

If you are looking to try out glass and want a quality toy without breaking the bank, the Topsy Turvy is the way to go!

Check out a Topsy Turvy glass dildo of your own!

I have a few glass dildos in my arsenal, buy couldn’t pass up the chance to check out another once I saw this hand blown toy. Unlike the rest of my collection, this one is completely unique since it’s handcrafted and I think that’s pretty fantastic!

While this is probably kind of silly, the best thing about mine is that it’s orange. I’m not sure if you’ve looked much, but it’s pretty hard to find orange sex toys, a problem I hope manufactures are working to correct right now. Of course, if it didn’t make my toes curl, I probably wouldn’t feel so fondly about this one!

At about eleven inches long with a maximum circumference of about 1.6 inches, this is a good-sized toy. You should remember that each toy is a little different and from the video I’ve embedded below, you can see that there is a noticeable difference in some.

Between the weight, curve and smooth, hard head of this dildo, it’s one of my favorites for g-spot play. It has all of the same elements that make the pjur wand so amazing, although I still love it the best. This is a great alternative for anyone who is intimidated by the steel wand or that would prefer a more whimsical looking toy.

Of course, glass is a great green material and totally safe for your body. I know some people worry because they can’t get the image of the last juice glass they shattered out of their head, but this dildo is totally sturdy and safe. It’s also non-porous, so it can be sterilized for sharing! Glass is also really smooth, which I absolutely love and great for temperature play.

While this one is a little expensive, it’s really cool to have a toy that no one else in the world has. I suppose it wouldn’t be that rad to have a totally unique toy that left your frustrated or bleeding, but lucky for me the Candy Colored Glass Dildo just left me smiling and spent.

I have a few different dildos, but when I saw the textured shaft of this affordable Doc Johnson toy, I had knew I had to get my hands on it. The good news is that it feels as good as I imagined!

First up, let’s go over glass as a material for sex toys again because, in my opinion, it’s really great. First up, wands made from glass are phthalate-free, non-porous and can be sterilized, so they’re totally body safe. Another thing I enjoy about them is that they are perfect for temperature play. Finally, I personally love the smooth texture of glass, it feels amazing all over my body.

Now about my latest acquisition – the Awesome Blossom. This is a pretty standard sized toy at almost 8 inches long with a circumference of 4.25 inches. There’s a distinct head that’s super smooth, which I really like because it’s a great contrast to the swirled shaft. Speaking of the shaft, let me tell you that those green swirls are not there for looks. I love the subtle texture and think it really makes this wand stand out in the crowd.

I also wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t highlight the cute flower that’s found in the clear glass head. This five petal blossom is orange and white and a really nice touch. Between it and the green swirls, this toy looks almost as good as it makes me feel. Toys don’t have to look amazing to do their job, but it’s nice to see this gorgeous piece of glass up against my partner’s skin.

Because you can sterilize it and it has a flared base, the Awesome Blossom is great for sharing and can be used for anal penetration. My only suggestion is that you go easy if you’ve never used a glass toy before. It’s really hard and therefore a bit unforgiving if you thrust it into someone’s cervix or any other tender bits. If you’re looking for a dildo that’s great for frantic fucking, I suggest you go with something a bit softer!

Overall, this is a great dildo at a pretty reasonable price. With proper care, it’s made to last a lifetime and would make a really great gift!

Spring is right around the corner when you own the Awesome Blossom.

Putting glass up your ass is generally considered a no-no. Aside from being extremely dangerous and harmful to all your delicate tissues, I can imagine it would hurt like a bitch. But think about all the benefits of glass… it can be so silky smooth, take temperature change like a champ and be really heavy when you want it to be. Sigh, that sounds so fun. Good thing some scientist somewhere decided to make a fracture-resistant glass that later allowed an awesome pervert to fashion it into the ultimate glass butt plug!

That’s the Rook E Glass Crystal Butt Plug for you! Science’s gift to the anal connoisseur. What sets this plug apart from others is definitely its material. While I love, love, love silicone toys, glass provides a few extra benefits that silicone just can’t offer. First off, glass is super smooth and only takes the smallest drop of lube to get it nice and slippery (though I suggest using more than just a drop when you are hitting the back door), and it offers little to no friction resistance as it slides into your body. Glass also takes temperature change extremely well and the Rook E can be cooled down and chilly or heated up to a perfect body temperature using warm and ice cold water. So easy. Also, with silicone toys you get a little give, which the Rook E does not allow. The solid glass keeps rigid and feels more filling than a silicone plug of the exact same size. And speaking of size…

Two of my favorite aspects of this big guy are its weight and size. Measuring in at 4½ inches long and 1½ inches at its widest point, I might not say the Rook E is for rookies exactly, but if you are an experienced anal adventurer, this plug should work out just fine. Plus it starts out small and gets bigger, so it’s a fun toy to test out girth with. While I’m not quite sure how much it weighs (I’d guess about the same as a lighter paperweight?), this glass crystal toy is no feather. The weight is what makes it so fun. Though it’s not usually easy to forget you have something in your ass, with this toy you will most definitely know it’s back there at all times. Heavy, big and rigid – the perfect plug trifecta. Hold on a sec while I fan myself…

 I also really like that Rook E is clear glass. Not everybody wants to be able to see a bit into someone’s open butthole, but I like the idea that the option is there. Hey, I write for a porn company – I’m a known pervert and sex educator, and I’m not ashamed to want to get a better look into a bottom! You shouldn’t be either. Butts are the best and should be enjoyed just like every other part of the body!

When it comes to butt plugs, the Rook E is a great flared based toy that stays where it’s put, fills you up and will last a lifetime. Two thumbs up for my new best butty!

Buy a Rook E Glass Crystal Butt Plug of your very own!