There are not many places where my work writing about sex sits naturally in a room. ‘How do you feel so comfortable talking about it?’, ‘Does your boyfriend mind?’
I took him last week to Lovehoney’s Christmas party where dildos, vibrators and lube were on display like sculptures in a museum. We stepped inside and found our footing at the blind lube tasting table, where we correctly guessed the ginger, mint chocolate and peppermint flavours.
The evening was designed to introduce influencers and bloggers to the brand’s latest collection. Everyone who was invited creates some form of sexual content, whether they review toys, share sex tips or discuss unconventional experiences.
So, what happens at a party promoting sexual pleasure?
On one side, you had an open bar with a gourmet burger van outside. On the other, you could decorate a penis-shaped ginger biscuit, admire the advent calendars, browse costumes and look at the latest sexual technology.
Lots of trends are taking place within the world of sex that caught my interest. Here are some of the key trends to note:
Suction toys
Goodbye rabbit and dildos, hello suction.
Suction toys are having a HUGE moment right now, with the cult classic Rose Clitoral Suction Stimulator being one of Lovehoney’s bestsellers. Suction is having such a moment that the once beloved rabbit vibrator has been knocked off its top-selling spot.
If you haven’t tried a suction toy before, add it to your Christmas wish list. While vibrators (such as the rabbit) stimulate the surface of the clitoris, a suction toy can provide more internal stimulation for extra pleasure. The toys are also designed to bring blood flow to your clitoris which heightens sensitivity and arousal.
Shop: Lovehoney X Romp
Bondage
50 Shades of Grey arguably brought bondage and BDSM to the mainstream. But Lovehoney is currently noticing a significant increase in bondage items. The great thing about bondage is that you can experiment in lots of different ways. You might start with blindfolds and handcuffs and then move on to using rope and nipple clamps.
For beginners (and those who have experimented before), I recommend investing in a kit. Individual items can become expensive over time and it’s frustrating when you decide you want to try something new but then need to go out and buy something else.
You can opt for a bondage set which covers the basics or shop one of Lovehoney’s advent calendars. These are curated collections of popular items which are all colour coordinated. Not only do they look good, but each item is also discreet enough to store away or pop in your handbag.
The X Womanizer Couple’s Calendar has an assortment of beginner and pro items. In the UK, you save £234.99 by buying the set which is a 63% saving.
Shop the calendar collection is the US
Men’s sex toys
I’ve spent the past couple of years encouraging women to embrace masturbation, specifically through sex toys. It didn’t occur to me that women are perhaps no longer the ones who need this empowerment.
The marketing of sex toys has mostly centred on women. So much so, that I doubt anyone would bat an eyelid if they found a vibrator in a woman’s sex drawer. But the encouragement of men utilising the benefits is something that still requires attention.
A lot of technology development is currently taking place around men’s toys. This includes focusing on material with emphasis on softer silicone.
Shop Lovehoney’s Blowmotion Suction Male Vibrator
Suggested next reads:
I visited Lovehoney’s U.S. website.
Thank you for providing the link!
I see that Lovehoney carries quite a range of products and toys!
Yeah, I really like how much option their website has!