Tickled Online

When you’re searching for a new toy, it can be tempting to go for something a friend has recommended, you’ve seen on TV or you’ve read about in a magazine. However, it’s far better to feel the toys before you buy them if at all possible, which is why we’ve got testers of all our toys available for you to play with in store (in non intimate ways, of course).  Tickled presents its guide to finding the toy for you:

• Don’t judge toys by appearance alone. The smallest bullet may pack the biggest buzz, so give it a go: feel good vibrations.
• The nose isn’t the best non-intimate place to test a vibe, despite the popular stereotype. Instead, use your wrist, inner elbow or any other area of thinner skin as this is more sensitive.
• Most vibes turn on and off in one of three ways: press the button on
  the base and keep pressing it to scroll through the options; twist
  the base; or press the + and – buttons to scroll through the options
• Most vibes are multi-speed so work your way through all the options to
  see if you can find ‘the one’.
• If you get a toy home and find the vibrations too intense, try using it on top of your hand or a pillow to soften them.
• Don’t think that more than one toy is greedy: they all do different things so once you’ve got your ideal clit stim, move on to a G-spot toy, nipple toy or couples’ toy. Enjoy!

Cock rings help men stay harder for longer by trapping blood in the penis. Opt for a vibrating model and it’ll help speed the woman’s climax at the same time.

• At the basic end of the spectrum, the Magic Ring is a mere £3.99 -
  or opt for the disposable vibrating model, also at £3.99
• For longer lasting thrills, the Ring of Venus is powered by a battery
  powered bullet vibrator that slips into the cock ring, and can be used
  as a toy in its own right:  £14.99
• For extra thrills, the remote controlled cock ring means you both have the option to control the buzz for £29.99

Clitoral stimulation is key for most women to reach climax

• For a bargain buzz, you can’t beat the RO 80mm bullet. It’s the world’s most powerful micro-vibe, waterproof and £10.99
• If you prefer a softer material for your toy, the RO 100mm soft
  tipped bullet offers an inexpensive way to introduce some silicone
  into your toy chest. It’s waterproof, three speed and £17.99
• For the ultimate clitoral thrills, teamed with designer style, opt for the Lelo Nea. It’s powered through a mobile phone style charger and guaranteed for ten years: one of our most popular gifts, at £60.99.

If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. Try something new tonight to keep things fresh

• Use a warming or tingling lube to add a new sensation to sex
• Shave your pubes – and your lover’s - and enjoy skin-on-skin silky sex. Add a touch of fun with a cherry, star or butterfly vajazzle
• Experiment with gender roles. Swap undies with each other or, better yet, choose a harness and dildo.
• Add a boy toy into the mix (assuming there’s a man involved in the sex). There’s a lot more out there than you might expect, from a simple and discreet masturbation sheath like the Tube or Tenga egg to the amazing Monkey Spanker which has to be seen to be believed.
• Simulate a threesome by adding a suction cup dildo to sex. Brings a
  whole new meaning to Sunday roast…

It’s not just women that have an internal erogenous zone. The perineum, aka the P-spot, is the male equivalent to the G-spot.

• The P-spot is on the upper wall of the anus, a few inches inside
• To find it, slip a well lubricated finger inside the anus and feel around for a walnut shaped lump on the upper wall
• Alternatively, use a toy with a bent tip
• Great P-spot toys include the Naughty Boy, the Bootie and the Basix mini butt plug
• You can also use a strap-on dildo or Share toy. This also allows you to play with different roles with your lover
• P-Spot stimulation can lead to intense climax and high ejaculation levels

The G-spot may be the subject of much controversy but when a woman’s found hers, she’s in no doubt of its existence.

• The G-spot is on the upper wall of the vagina, a few inches inside.
• To find it, slip a finger inside yourself then crook it as if beckoning someone to ‘come here’
• Alternatively, use a toy with a bent tip
• The G-spot swells when stimulated. This makes it easier to hit, and can also lead to female ejaculation.
• Female ejaculation is nothing to be embarrassed about: just put a towel down if it becomes a common occurrence – there are only so many times you want to change the sheets every week, after all.
• Great G-spot toys include the Delight, the Rock Chick and the Gigi – or if you’re feeling flush, use the  beautiful Olga, pictured above – plated with 18K gold and yours for a mere £1,149.99. We can dream, can’t we…
• You can also use G-spot arousal gel to enhance sensation
• The best positions for G-spot stimulation are rear entry (doggy style) or raised missionary (missionary style with a pillow underneath your hips – or better yet, your ankles hooked around your lover’s neck)

Stress is one of the most common libido-killers. As such, bathing your lover, erotic massage and sensual candle-light will all help set the mood in more ways than one. A great way to bring the passion back into your relationship.

• Run your lover a bath, scattered with foreplay rose petals to give them some erotic ideas as they bathe.
• Use erotic aromatherapy bath salts to scent the bath: smell is the most primal sense, bypassing conscious thought, so it will help set the mood in a subliminal way.
• Massage your lover’s scalp as you wash their hair to aid relaxation. If it makes them melt, consider buying a head massager to make it a regular part of your play.
• Use soy wax massage candles to light the room. Then blow them out and use them to massage your lover after your bath.

Leap Year may be a day traditionally associated with women popping the question but at Tickled, we reckon it’s a great excuse to propose something new in the bedroom too.

If you’re looking to add some spice to your relationship, it’s worth taking things slowly. While you may love the idea of introducing threesome fantasies into your sex play, being tied and whipped until you’re begging for mercy or strapping on a dildo and taking your lover where the sun doesn’t shine, you can never guarantee your partner will feel the same way. As such, start with the very mildest version of what you want, to gauge your lover’s response, before deciding whether it’s politic to confess your most graphic desires.

Sexperts always rave about the importance of  communication, and rightly so – but it’s not just about discussions prior to sex. It’s also key to talk about sex after you’ve tried something new – a debrief, if you will. It may seem over-analytical but fantasies and reality don’t always match up, and it’s only by talking honestly that you can ensure you’re both getting the sex you want.

If you’re not sure what you’d like to explore but know you want to try something new, here are a few fun ideas that might tickle your fancy. And remember, unlike marriage, it doesn’t have to be a lifelong commitment – if you try something and it doesn’t do the trick, you can put it down to experience and move on.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said:

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions.  All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better.  What if they are a little coarse, and you may get your coat soiled or torn?  What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice.  Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble. “

So what are you waiting for? Prepare yourself for a tumble. Stuck for ideas? Here are a few Tickled suggestions:

Get Remote Controlled

Vibrators are fun – and become even more so when your lover can control the toy when sitting opposite you at a restaurant… The super-quiet We-vibe 3 is our favourite new toy (hence why we rave about it so often) because you can wear it when you’re out and about, and have sex with the toy still in place once you get home. Assuming you can wait that long, that is…

Spanking

Often called the British kink, spanking isn’t just about being a bad, bad girl (or boy). Being spanked makes the body produce endorphins – natural painkillers – and if you start gently then gradually work your way up, it can even induce a natural high.

After administering a spanking, it’s important to help your partner float down to earth as pain play can sometimes lead to an emotional ‘crash’. Start by rubbing lotion or dusting talcum powder over your lover’s reddened cheeks. Kissing your lover’s bottom better is a romantic option too. Cuddle and caress your partner, or pamper them with a warm bath. Sweet treats like chocolate will also help your lover feel as cherished as they are punished, increasing the odds of future spankings being welcome.

Role Exchange

Are you usually the receiving partner during sex? Become the giving partner instead. Regardless of gender, strap on sex is seeing a massive boost in popularity – possibly because of the great array of products that have now been designed to make it easy and comfortable for beginners and old-hands alike.

Valentine’s Day offers a great excuse to spice up your sex life whether you’re single or attached.

If you don’t have a partner, spend the money you’ve saved on dinner a deux on a toy for yourself and revel in being able to pleasure yourself exactly the way you like it.

If you do have a partner, now’s the time to introduce something new. It could be as simple as a bullet vibrator if you’re new to toys; or if you’re after something more sophisticated, we have a great range of strap on dildos – and don’t think they’re only relevant for lesbians. At least a third of strap ons that we sell are to straight couples, for the woman to use on the man.

Here are our top recommendations for Valentine’s Day.

The We-Vibe 3

The creme de la creme of couple toys has to be the We-Vibe 3.  As the only toy that’s designed to be used during sex, offering combined clitoral and G-spot stimulation, it offers a truly unique sensation that’s sure to have you hooked.  Better yet, it’s remote controlled, making it perfect for outdoor play. It’s comfortable enough to wear out all evening, and quiet enough that no one will know what you’re doing as long as there’s some background noise (a restaurant playing music is fine but you might have to choose another toy if library sex is what you’re after). And don’t think it’s just for couples. The vibration is intensely satisfying for solo use on the clitoris or wrapped around the base of the penis too. A great all-rounder.

We-Vibe 3, £99.99

The Siri

This gorgeous designer toy from Tickled favourites, Lelo, is discreet but oh so powerful. The vibrations on the Siri start off gently but once you start the revs going, it’s one of the most intense vibes around. It can be used solo or held against the clit during sex. It’s beautifully packaged, designed to last and can be used during sex, held against the clit or the perineum (the area between the genitals and anus), or for masturbation.

Siri, £68.99

Vibrating Cock Ring

A vibrating cock ring is a great cheap couples toy, helping a man keep his erection stronger for longer while speeding the woman’s climax. It can also be used to turn a straight vibrator into a rabbit style vibe for solo use (or indeed, use as a couple).

Vibrating cock ring, £9.99

The Bootie

If you’re looking to introduce anal play to your relationship, the Bootie is a great beginner’s plug that’s equally suited to wearing during sex as when you’re out and about – you can even wear it on the bus. It’s small, silicone (so it warms to your body temperature)

Bootie, £17.99

Rocks Off RO-100mm

If you’re looking for a silicone toy at a bargain price, the Rocks Off is a great introduction. The soft silicone tip warms to body temperature, and the three speeds range from subtle to intense at the push of a button.

Rocks Off RO-100mm, £17.99

Once you’ve chosen your toy, add extra romance  by wrapping it up with a love note attached. Alternatively, for a spicier treat, write your lover an erotic story. If you’re shy about emailing it with your name attached, upload it to a site such as cliterati.co.uk instead, and simply send your partner an email saying ‘I thought you’d like this link’. Whether you come clean as to who wrote the story can then depend on your lover’s response to the story.

As to how to give your lover the present in the best possible way? Just add lingerie - or if you’ve spent all your money on toys, simply wear your birthday suit and a smile…

We know that buying your first sex toy can be a daunting experience. Size, shape, power, function, materials, cost and even colour will all affect your decision. Here at Tickled, we dedicate our expertise to helping you find the toy that is right for you. Whether you want an all-singing, all-dancing whirring, vibrating, thrusting, pulsating backflipping dual-stim like an Eclipse Ultra 7, or a modest cheap and cheerful bullet vibe like a Rocks-Off RO80, we’re sure to have something to suit you.

First off, do your research – and no, we don’t mean hit the books. This type of research is wholly more fun and hands on. Don’t be afraid to figure out what stimulation you like, and the best way to do this is by getting acquainted with yourself on a one-on-one basis. You may know whether you benefit from internal or external stimulation, or both. The majority of women don’t orgasm from internal stimulation alone, so if you can, you’re one of the lucky ones.

Second, you may want to think about whether or not you are using your toy with a partner. If you are, you’ll need to have a frank and open chat with your partner on what they would like and would not like to try. Don’t scare your partner away by bringing a huge phallic strap-on dildo into the bedroom as it may make them feel inadequate.

Thirdly, size does matter. It’s a bit of a cliché, but the right size for you is important. As a first timer, you may feel that going for a toy with the girth of a coke can a bit daunting. So think about whether you would like to try something sleeker and slimmer. Don’t forget, the first third of your vagina contains the most nerve endings (about 10,000), so it’s more about width than length unless you’re into G-spot thrills.

Fourth, to vibe or not to vibe? THAT is the question. Some women may feel that vibrating toys are too unnatural for a first timer experience. But a lot of women will climax more easily from a toy with a bit of buzz behind it. Those among you who favour the non-vibrating toy may like to try a Fun Factory medical grade silicone dildo, or even a glass toy that can be chilled or heated to heighten sensation.

Fifth, don’t be afraid to put your hand up and ask! If you’re not sure about a particular toy, don’t leave it vibrating across the shelf and slink away with a pink face. See with your hands, not just with your eyes. Looking at a toy won’t determine it it’s for you or not, so get handsy and test the controls, the power, feel the weight and texture and whether it’s rigid or soft. Also gauge how noisy it is!

Once you have experienced your first toy, the possibilities are endless. There’s a whole wealth of fantastic toys out there to play with. Once you’ve nailed the basics, you can gravitate onto the more plush and luxurious toys such as the premium toys like the divine Lelo ranges, whose quiet powerful motors make them a firm favourite with just about everyone.

Just as you wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, don’t judge a toy by a jpeg. Come in store and allow yourself to benefit from our wealth of advice. You’ll probably even have a bit of a giggle while you’re at it.

By Sarah Angell