A while back I saw a very curious product being sold online with a great name, the Magic Banana. I was about to write a Spotlight post to bring it to people’s attention when it suddenly disappeared and I couldn’t find it anywhere. Needless to say, I was tickled pink when it turned up on the site of one of my favorite sex shops, Lovehoney.

The Magic Banana is a kegel exerciser, meaning it is a product meant to assist you in strengthening your pelvic floor, or kegel muscles. It is a loop made of flexible plastic shaped like a banana. That and the yellow color give the exerciser its name.

To utilize the Magic Banana, you squeeze both sides of the loop together before inserting it into your vagina. After insertion, you release the sides of the loop and your kegel muscles are supposed to automatically contract to keep the Magic Banana in place. I get the concept but I’m wondering how much contracting of the muscles is actually required to keep the kegel exerciser in place. Due to the expansion of the sides, it seems like keeping the Magic Banana in place without contracting your muscles would not be a huge problem. Of course, it’s impossible to know without a test run.

Apparently, the Magic Banana is supposed to be a good g-spot massager as well. It certainly looks like it has the appropriate shape to hit many a g-spot. I’m wondering how flexible the Magic Banana is, and if you can apply very firm pressure against the g-spot with it.

Based solely on looking at the Magic Banana on a computer screen, I think the price point is a bit high. However, if it is such a great kegel exerciser and doubles as a g-spot toy, it may very well be worth it. Head over to Lovehoney and check out the Magic Banana Kegel Exerciser for yourself.

It’s been a very long time since I have reviewed anything BDSM related. I figured it was about time to take a break from vibrators and dildos and review something else. When it comes to BDSM, even if you’re a beginner, you want to have good basics. One of the very basic items you need is a good set of restraints, like the Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit.

The Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit is part of Liberator’s Black Label collection and more or less what you might guess from the name, a kit consisting of cuffs and a blindfold. However, this kit is a bit more complete than some others I have seen. Contained in the kit is the following:
• 2 wrist cuffs
• 2 ankle cuffs
• 1 blindfold
• 1 bow-tie choker
• 4 tethers
• 1 storage bag

Cuffs can be made from many different materials, leather, metal, satin, etc. One of the things that makes the Liberator Tensionier Kit unique is that the cuffs, blindfold, and bow-tie choker are all made from a dark wash denim. This is the first time I have run across denim cuffs. That doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there, just that I haven’t seen them. The dark wash denim is stitched with a contrasting white thread. This and the silver-colored hardware make these items quite attractive. Each of the four cuffs has a clip and a D ring that allows you to attach them to each other, the tethers, the bow-tie choker, or anything else you come up with. Each of the tethers also has a D ring that can be attached to the cuffs’ clips. The bow-tie choker also has a D ring so you can attach the cuffs, a leash, or something else with a clip. In fact, the only thing in this kit that does not have a D ring is the blindfold.

Speaking of the blindfold, it actually works better than I expected based on its looks. My experience with blindfolds that are cut similarly to the one in the Liberator Tensionier Kit have not been very good. Usually this design lets a lot of light in around the nose. However, due to the elastic band at the back of the blindfold, it fits securely and though it does let a bit of light in, it’s really not bad at all. The downside of the blindfold is that the after a while the pressure on the bridge of my nose from the elastic band becomes uncomfortable and I need to remove it. It is also snug enough that I really need to keep my eyes closed while the mask is on. No biggie, right? After all, there’s nothing to see under there. Still, some people don’t like that kind of pressure against their eyes, so I thought I’d mention it.

Oh, there is actually another issue with the blindfold, with the entire kit actually. The denim has an unpleasant odor that reminds me of glue. All of the pieces smell badly. Granted, it’s not like you can smell them across the room, but I can definitely smell the blindfold when it’s on my face. Yuck. It is also not adjustable, which may be a problem for some people.

I realize the bow-tie choker is meant to be a cute collar, but I am not a big fan. I think it’s just kinda silly looking. It’s about 20″ in length so it can fit a wide variety of neck sizes. I find it rather thin, especially if something heavy is attached to the D ring in front. This can drag the bow-tie choker down and cause some discomfort at the the back of the neck. Keep in mind that I have a chronic pain condition and frequently have pain in my neck so I am probably more sensitive to this than many people.

The wrist and ankle cuffs are more or less the same, with the ankle cuffs being somewhat larger. Both the wrist and ankle cuffs are 2.5″ wide. The wrist cuffs can be adjusted up to approximately 10.5″, thus allowing for them to fit most people who are not The Hulk. The ankle cuffs can adjust up to about 17.5″ so they are significantly larger than the wrists restraints. Liberator calls these cuffs self-tightening, but I have not had that experience. If I struggle enough, the cuffs loosen somewhat. In fact, there is a slight amount of give to the denim material. However, it is not stretchy by any means. One issue I have with both the wrist and ankle cuffs is that the piece of denim opposite from where the restraints tighten slips and slides around and does not always stay beneath the strap. It’s a bit annoying to have to keep straightening it out when you are putting the cuffs on.

The four tethers included in the Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit are made from heavy duty 1″ wide nylon, the kind you find on duffle bags and backpacks or seat belts. It is extremely durable and has absolutely no give. The tethers are 55″ long and adjustable. Each one has a plastic clasp that allows you to wrap the tether around something and secure it.

All the pieces of the Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit are quite lightweight due to the denim fabric, but the hardware is heavy, maybe a little too heavy to be supported well by the denim. The contrast can make the cuffs a bit unwieldy when putting them on but isn’t as noticeable once they are secured.

The packaging of the Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold kit is simple and stream-lined. The cuffs, bow-tie choker, blindfold, and tethers come in a handmade denim storage bag that is very discreet. The only hint that something nefarious is inside is the Liberator tag on the outside that says “Bedroom Adventure Gear”. Otherwise, it looks totally innocuous. The denim storage bag securely closes, like a sleeping bag, and comes inside a clear plastic bag which does have the name of the product on a sticker on the outside. With all the pieces of the kit stuffed inside the storage bag, it is surprisingly heavy due to the hardware. Other than the shipping box, there is no additional packaging wasting resources, which is a good thing.

Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit Pros:
• Very sturdy
• Vegan
• Material is comfortable
• Attractive
• Good storage bag

Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit Cons:
• High price point
• Blindfold is not adjustable
• Has odd glue-like scent

In looking for a set of restraints, different people look for different things. I always want mine to be comfortable, secure, and durable. The cuffs in the Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit are all three. They also have the added benefit of being lightweight and vegan. I have used leather restraints in the past and they can feel very luxurious. They can also be hot, feel heavy, don’t react well to sweat, can chafe, and are made of animal parts. For these reasons, the denim fabric of the Tensionier cuffs is great. The odor, however, is not. In fact, it’s quite bad and I have no idea what’s going on with that. Maybe it’s a chemical used in the treatment of the denim. maybe it’s a fluke. I don’t know but I don’t like it.

While the Liberator Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit does come with 11 pieces technically, I find the price point rather high for denim restraints, a bow-tie collar, and a blindfold. It’s certainly not something those who are new to BDSM will want to spend when they’re just experimenting. It also doesn’t seem like BDSM experts would want to drop that much on cuffs made of denim. Of course, I could be wrong. While the cut of the blindfold works, the fact that it isn’t adjustable is likely to create issues for some. What really kills it for me is the scent. My sensitive nose cannot take it. Hopefully, it’s just my set and not all of them out there.

Head over to Liberator to check out the Tensionier Cuff and Blindfold Kit for yourself.

Bean Fiddler Rating:

It seems as though there have been a number of new sex toys being released recently, and I have been doing my best to keep track of them. Just last week, I reviewed the iGino One, which will hopefully be officially released by the end of this month. Today I’m going to talk about a trio of vibrators from Odeco, a manufacturer that I hadn’t heard of before, the Kupalo, the Lilith, and the Apollo.

Kupalo

Lilith

Apollo

The Odeco Kupalo, Odeco Lilith, and Odeco Apollo are vibrators made of silicone and plastic, and all three use AAA batteries. All three vibrators are designed to target the g-spot, but the Kupalo and the Lilith are more along the lines of a traditional vibrator while the Apollo is a rabbit. All three vibrators have easy to use push buttons that function as a control panel and seven modes of vibration.

Obviously, there are more differences between the Apollo and the other two vibrators than between the Kupalo and the Lilith. The Apollo has dual motors, one in the shaft of the vibrator and one in the clit stimulator. It is only 1″ in diameter compared to the 1.25″ diameter of the Kupalo and the Lilith. All three vibrators are splash proof rather than waterproof, which is a bit of downside but better than nothing. Overall, I think the Kupalo comes in the best color, bright green.

You can find the Odeco Kupalo, the Odeco Lilith, and the Odeco Apollo at EdenFantasys. Keep in mind, EdenFantasys will ship your $39+ purchase for free and give you a free gift. Just be sure to add the free gift to your cart before checking out.

About a month ago, Lovehoney released a handful of new vibrators in the Tracey Cox line. At that time I posted a Spotlight about the new Tracey Cox dare! Sex Toys. As I am always curious about new products, I was hoping I would have an opportunity to review one of these vibrators and Lovehoney was kind enough to make that happen. Considering I have been suffering a great deal of neck and back pain recently, I decided to go with the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator, as I was hoping it would handle double duty as both a massager for my back/neck and a pleasure object.

The Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator is part of the dare! line of sex toys from Tracey Cox. This line of vibrators is meant to focus mainly on toys that can be used by couples. These toys were designed by bestselling sex author, Tracey Cox, hence the name.

Made from ABS, the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager contains no latex or phthalates, making it body-safe. The silky smooth plastic material is compatible with both water-based and silicone-based lubricants. It can also be used with massage oil to enhance a body massage. This particular ABS is super smooth and sleek and slides along my skin with no drag at all, so oil is not a necessity but can certainly add to the massage experience. The Power Massager is splash proof, so it can be easily washed with warm water and antibacterial soap or a sex toy cleaner. However, it is not waterproof so do not submerge it.

At 10.5″ in circumference, the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager fits very comfortably in the palm of my hand. The round shape with the indented button makes holding onto it during use very easy. The button must be pressed very firmly in order to power the vibrator on and off, as well as to cycle through the different modes. This means that it is very unlikely you will accidentally press the button. It has great feedback and makes a fairly loud clicking sound when pressed.

With its one button, the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator is simple to use for newbies and experienced users alike. You turn the vibrator on by pressing the large button once and continue pressing the button to cycle through the different modes. To turn off the Power Massager you hold the button down for approximately two to three seconds. The only challenge I find with the power button is my own issue. I have rather long nails, and because the button is indented it is a bit difficult to press it. People with shorter nails are not likely to have this problem. The Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager has three levels of intensity and three vibrational patterns, as follows:
1. Low steady vibration
2. Medium steady vibration
3. High steady vibration
4. Ramp up
5. Three short pulses, one long
6. Medium pulses

The Power Massager is somewhat loud, though not horrible, especially for a massager. It is not as powerful as I was expecting, though it is not weak either. It’s about mid-range as far as power goes. It will be plenty for some and not at all enough for others. The vibrations themselves are also mid-range, not very deep and rumbly, but not buzzy either. The vibrations are really not strong nor deep enough to penetrate my muscles, but I may not be the best test subject, as I have chronic pain. It is certainly enough to create a relaxing sensation, especially when being used by a partner who can provide more pressure with the massager than I can on my own.

I like the design of the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager very much, but I find it more effective as a massager than a vibrator. Though I find the strength of the vibrations to be sufficient, they are too diffuse to bring me to orgasm due to the shape of the Power Massager. Diffuse vibrations are great when massaging a large area, like the back, but they do not provide enough direct stimulation to my clit. However, I discovered that these diffuse vibrations are pretty great for nipple stimulation, which is an unexpected bonus. At 8.5 ounces, I find the Power Massager to be slightly heavy for longer periods of use, but my Fibromyalgia has been seriously acting up so most people probably won’t find it overly heavy. It may not be the best option for people with carpal tunnel or other hand and wrist disorders.

The packaging of the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager is simple. The exterior consists of a cardboard sleeve with a window through which you can see the vibrator. There is an image of a woman on the front and back of this sleeve. I am assuming the woman is Tracey Cox, the designer of this vibrator. Considering it’s a massager, someone unfamiliar with sex toys may stumble across the box without raising an eyebrow. However, I do not find the packaging very discreet and think many people would know it is also a sex toy. Once you remove the sleeve, you’ll find the Power Massager held in place by cardboard. Underneath this cardboard is a little user guide with basic information about the toy. The packaging is sufficient and can be used for storage, though it is not that sturdy and will take up more room than the Power Massager on its own.

Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator Pros:
• Great nipple stimulation
• Fits comfortably in hand
• Button has good feedback and does not allow for accidental pushing
• Silky, smooth plastic
• Can be used with all types of lubricants
• Can be used with massage oil
• Easy to open and close for battery insertion

Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator Cons:
• Long nails hinder the ease of pressing the button
• Does not bring me to orgasm
• On the heavy side

I love sex toys that can serve multiple functions and the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator does just that, though not in the way I expected. I thought it would serve both as a massager and a clit stimulator, but as I mentioned above, the clit stimulation isn’t super effective for me. To be fair, it provides a fair amount of tease, but I do need another vibrator to actually orgasm. I really like the nipple stimulation it provides and wish I could find something similar in an actual nipple clamp or something along those lines. Using the Power Massager on my nipples with another vibrator on my clit is fairly awesome. As a massager, I find it about average. It is not meant to provide a deep tissue massage, but more of a stimulating erotic massage, and it is capable of doing so.

The ABS is particularly silky and smooth and feels great sliding along my skin, making massage without oil totally feasible and comfortable. I do have trouble holding onto it for long periods of time, but that is very likely due to my current health status rather than the Power Massager actually being too heavy. Overall, it has some very nice features and should please many users.

Head over to Lovehoney to check out the Tracey Cox dare! Power Massager Vibrator for yourself, and remember, Lovehoney will ship your entire purchase for free!

Bean Fiddler Rating:

Jimmyjane is a company that I have written about before, mostly in Spotlights. They manufacture high-end luxury sex toys. I actually only have one, the Jimmyjane Form 2, which I really like. Not only does Jimmyjane consistently produce new products, they also have a tendency to update older products, like they have done with the Jimmyjane Form 6 G3.

The Jimmyjane Form 6 G3 is the third generation of this popular vibrator, hence the name. This vibrator has dual motors, one in each end, which makes for a fair amount of versatility. You can use either end for clitoral and labial stimulation, as well as using the longer end for penetration.

Made of silicone and stainless steel, the Jimmyjane Form 6 G3 is hypoallergenic and body-safe, as well as snazzy-looking. It is rechargeable and has a new and more compact charging base compared to earlier models. As the Form 6 G3 charges magnetically, there are no open ports anywhere on the vibrator, thus making it waterproof. Supposedly, the Form 6 G3 provides up to six hours of play time on a single charge. Though I don’t know how long it takes to fully charge this vibrator, six hours is impressive.

The Jimmyjane Form 6 G3 has a new control panel that is more intuitive and responsive than the second generation Form 6. It also has five levles of intensity and six different patterns. It comes with a travel lock, which is a great feature to have on a vibrator even if you don’t travel with it. A travel lock allows you to lock the vibrator while in storage so it does not turn on accidentally and run down the charge. It also has a new universal adapter that allows you charge your Form 6 G3 in most any country you happen to be, a big benefit for those who do travel. Jimmyjane also provides a three year limited warranty on the Form 6 G3, and though I have not had any need to contact their customer service department, I have heard they are excellent.

This video provides a bit more information about the Jimmyjane Form 6.

You can find the Jimmyjane Form 6 G3 at the following stores:

Babeland
EdenFantasys
Good Vibrations