MAVPR's Pleasure Products Buying Guide

By Melissa A Vitale 

For those purchasing pleasure products for the first time, the market can seem oversaturated with products of all colors, shapes and sizes with substantially less education on said intimacy items. Especially those new to self-love and masturbation, it may be difficult to figure out what will bring pleasure or what will leave a wave of buyer’s remorse. 

For a first-time vibrator consumer, investing $200 on a single product that doesn’t please can turn someone off the pleasure product industry indefinitely.

Before you make your purchase, figure out what you want by thinking of a few factors:

• Internal vs External Use: Some people prefer external stimulation while others want toys that hit internally
• Toy Type: There are insertable vibrators, kegel accessories, love eggs and clitorial toys for vulva owners, while popular couples toys include finger vibes and cockrings for phallus owners
• Battery vs Rechargeable: rechargeable toys ensure you never run out mid-gasm, while battery-operated toys are perfect for those traveling without access to power outlets  
• Body-Safe Materials: Consumers should only be putting body-safe and body-grade materials on their most sensitive areas. If a product does not say body-safe or body-grade, just throw it out or use it for a photoshoot. Do not put it on your body
• Waterproof: Many toys on the market today are water-resistant, while waterproof toys can be submerged and survive a shower
• Suction vs Vibration: While popular toys offer suction to simulate oral stimulation, many consumers prefer a good-old-fashion buzz
• Budget: There are quality vibes starting at $29 where more expensive brands start at $189; If you plan on using your toy daily, you'll want a higher budget and a limited warranty. 

 
If you're not sure what type of toy you'd like, there's only one way to find out: masturbate! I got this tip from one of my mom’s Redbooks when I was too young to be reading them (I would hazard as far back as 2003): touch yourself, but not like that… yet. When you put lotion on, don’t slather it on like you’re putting wax on a table - caress yourself. Make it a point to touch yourself. See where your hairs raise, where you get a tingle down your spine, what makes your nipples harden. Turn yourself on. Make it a dance. Once you’re turned on by your own sensations, masturbate... regularly and often. Learn what makes you cry out, what makes you lose your breath, what turns your mind to putty and then think of ways a toy can help you save some of the manual labor. 

MAVPR Recommended Brands:
Working with so may brands, it's no surprise that I'm often asked for my recommendation. With my position as a publicist and knowledge of the industry, it's easy for me to discern if a brand is quality or marketing gimmicks 
Expert-Recommended products: OrganicLoven.com 
Beginner Pleasure Products: Emojibator
Social Conscious & Inclusive Pleasure Accessories: Bijoux Indiscrets
By Women For Women: Pure Romance, Dame Products, Unbound
Suction Products: Womanizer
Partner Toys: WeVibe
Notable Mention (Albeit not a Vibrator): Chakrubs
Kink & Fetish accessories: Extreme Restraints  
CBD Lubricant: TOCA 
Pleasure Oil: Her Highness
Intimacy Essentials for Penis-owners: Promescent

While I do partner or represent some of the brands above, I only recommend brands whose brand mission, consumer transparency and attention to quality is one that I would trust for myself and my family. I only work with brands I myself am proud to represent. 

Updated July 6, 2020

​For Pleasure Tech brands looking to explore cost effective public relations packages, learn more about MAVPR via: melissaavitale.com/services.html