I am going to share with you my latest ramblings on this topic.
If you are reading my little article here, then I can only assume that you love sex, hedonism and all of the awesome extra accessories you can find to enhance it!
I personally love all adult toys, novelties, costumes, lingerie, shoes props, games, and lubes. If it is soft, hard, glows, vibes, warms, excites, then you can count me in.
Only until the past several years have adult stores become more modern, comfortable and female friendly. Most of the time there is a knowledgeable female staff that loves this stuff as much as I do :-) I have even worked in one of these stores myself as the website inventory clerk. I enjoyed my job so much because I got to handle and see just about every toy, lube, game, you can dream up.
My Adult Store Shopping Tips
I want to share some tips with you on how to have a great experience shopping at your local fun shops.
1. Make a small list of what you might have in mind that you are looking for, so you do not feel as overwhelmed or lost when you first go inside.
2. Ask the sales clerk questions about any of the products in the store. Don't be shy! 100's of other people are visiting the store each day for the very same thing. I have fond memories of assisting a guy in finding an amazing Cobra Libre cock Stroker.
3. Ladies, leave your huge purses in your car. There really is a theft issue at these types of establishments as the merchandise is quite pricey. Just take in a small purse or clutch. Guys, no backpacks, please. You would resemble a crazy bomber type more than anything. Also, do not vape in the store...even if they sell smoke and vape merchandise.
4. This is NOT a pickup place. However, it is a great thing for a couple to do together!
5. Not all novelties are created equal. Look for quality materials such as silicone.
Different materials have different levels of porosity. In other words, really porous materials are pretty much impossible to keep 100% clean and disinfected. They are open to any bodily fluids, lubricants, and anything else that they come in contact with, which makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. The sex toy material hierarchy goes something like this:
Silicone: Non-porous and easy to clean, you can even disinfect these toys by placing them in boiling water for 5 minutes (assuming they are waterproof) and they will last and last. You can also disinfect them with a bleach/water solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water and soak for 10-15 minutes) or use a specialized antibacterial toy cleaner.
Glass, metal, and ceramic: These toys are obviously going to be extremely firm but they are also completely non-porous and easy to clean. You can pop them in the dishwasher, bleach them, or just use soap and water.
Plastic: More commonly found in bullets and some clitoral vibes, hard plastic is great because it’s phthalate free and non-porous. Clean it with soap and warm water and you’re good to go again.
TPR/TPE: This material is thermoplastic rubber/thermoplastic elastomer which is non-toxic, and wonderfully pliable. There are some great dildos made of this material and it is definitely more affordable than silicone. What you need to remember is to keep it clean because it is a porous material (unless it specifically states non-porous TPR). Use an antibacterial cleaning spray or antibacterial soap and water before and after every use. You can’t boil or bleach this material.
Cyberskin, and UR3 and other Realistic Materials: Commonly found in dildos, these materials are soft and pliable - made to resemble real flesh - with a firm inner core. Because these materials are porous, it is recommended that they are ONLY shared with a condom. Make sure you clean them thoroughly after every use. Switching between anal and vaginal is also a huge no-no. To maintain the silky texture, dust them with cornstarch and store them separately from other toys.
Jelly and PVC: Although toys with this material tend to be lower in price, jelly material is extremely porous (watch out for bacteria) and is typically found in low-quality products. In addition, many jelly toys use phthalates to soften them and this is one of the biggest problems with the non-regulation of the sex toy industry. Phthalates often produce a strong odour, which is actually the releasing of the chemicals found in the material. Several countries have banned phthalates in food containers and baby bottles because of the potentially harmful effects. PVC is similar to jelly in that it is soft and pliable, but is comprised of fewer potentially harmful chemicals. In order to prevent your toy from becoming tacky, clean it thoroughly after every use and store it away from your other toys.
6. Sex Toys and Safer Sex
Don’t be fooled into thinking that using sex toys rather than body to body contact means safer sex. Most reputable stores recommend that you don’t share sex toys with any level of porosity and for good reason - you can never be sure you've completely cleaned them. But using silicone, glass, plastic, or metal doesn’t necessarily constitute safer sex either. There is a real lack of research on STIs and sex toy use, although an Indiana University study did find that HPV can be found on sex toys, even after cleaning, up to 24 hours after use. Considering the porosity of many available sex toys, HPV, chlamydia, syphilis, and herpes are just some of the STIs that you can spread by sharing your sex toys. Although most STIs have an extremely short lifespan outside of the body (seconds or minutes), it is still recommended that you never share your toys unless they can be thoroughly disinfected or covered in a condom. Passing a toy between partners without a fresh condom is considered risky behaviour. So if you’re sharing, keep them covered and clean.
7. Make sure it's the right fit
If you have watched any type of porn, you've seen rather massive members fitting into some rather tiny places without any kind of lead up. Unless you’re an experienced professional, real life just doesn’t work that way. The average vagina is 3-4 inches in length (from vaginal opening to the tip of the cervix) and while it can expand up to 200% when aroused, there is still the potential for harm if you’ve gotten overly-ambitious with the size of your sex toys.
Good sex toys will come with descriptions of width, length, and the all-important insertable length (how much can be inserted into your body). The average erect penis is just over 5 inches long; if that is your only experience with penetration, you may want to think twice before jumping at that 11-inch porn star replica. Tears, chafing, rawness, irritation of the cervix, and stinging are real possibilities when you are using a sex toy vaginally that is much bigger than what you are used to. If you are still determined to up the size, make sure you are extremely aroused and use LOTS of good quality lubricant to ease the process.
The same goes for anal penetration. While anal sex can feel incredibly good, keep in mind that the lining of the anus and rectum is very delicate and filled with blood vessels. Scratches, fissures, infections, and tears can happen rather easily, so starting small is the way to go. The anal sphincter is an incredibly tight muscle and while it can be relaxed, it takes time, patience, and preparation to do so. There are anal kits on the market which include a number of toys in graduating sizes so that you can work your way up. Please keep in mind that porn employs professionals... and even they use lubrication off-camera..
8. Test Drive Before Leaving The Store
heheheehehehe!! I already know what you are thinking. Not with your clothes off and full demonstration.
Most reputable stores are already doing this. Ask your salesperson to test out any battery or electrically operated device before leaving the store. It is very difficult and pretty much impossible to return a sex toy and will depend on the manufacturer to refund or replace anything that was defective.
A visit to a sex shop can be a very exciting, arousing, titillating and this hugely depends on you. If you are bashful and uncomfortable then you will not have a fun. If you have an open mind, a classy attitude and love sex, then you will quite literally have a blast.
Like a Boss Adult Shopping In Houston, Texas
1. If you want to go where they have it all, these are the places! I don't think you can even see everything offered here in one single visit.
Eros 12017
- Adult Novelties
- Lingerie
- Shoes
- Smoke Shop
- Dungeon - ask about rental
- Small Private Party Room - ask about rental
There are 2 locations
- Pasadena
- Freeport
Adam and Eve Texas
2 Houston Locations
Erotic Cabaret
Established in 1982, Erotic Cabaret Boutique is Houston's first and finest sexy clothing and lingerie store. It was in fact, one of the first stores in the country of its kind. The thong (panty) was introduced to Houston here (probably the first in Texas). Friendly, knowledgeable, and personalized customer service our speciality! Erotic Cabaret is so much more than the average run of the mill "sex shop". Trendy sexy and fetish clothing, one of the largest selections of corsets and bustiers anywhere, over 100 styles of shoes and boots, a vast amount of hosiery, bras, panties, foundations, rhinestone and body jewelry, hats, man's sexy underwear, swimwear for men and women, dancer wear, wigs, make up, and costumes and masks year round."
A visit to a sex shop can be a very exciting, arousing, titillating and this hugely depends on you. If you are bashful and uncomfortable then you will not have a fun. If you have an open mind, a classy attitude and love hedonism, then you will quite literally have a blast.
oxoxoxo Trinity Raine
