5 Things You Should Know Before Buying Your First Sex Toy (From Someone Who Should Know)

Buying your first toy can be an exciting, but also frustrating experience. I know this first-hand because I was in the same position not too long ago. I’ll admit, I wasn’t even sure what kind of sex toy I should look for. I ended up buying a few “first toys” before I settled on one I could proudly call “my first”.

Through that experience and my time working at Lioness, I’ve unsurprisingly picked up quite a bit of knowledge around choosing sex toys. Whether you’re shopping for a vibrator, a dildo, or anything in between, here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best sex toy for you (so you won’t have to waste as much time and money as I did):

1. Check the “Body Safe” Label

Be sure to follow the rule of thumb that body-safe materials include non-porous silicone, glass, and wood. While there are plenty of real body-safe toys on the market, there are just as many phonies out there. Do a bit of extra research to make sure it really is body safe. Toy manufacturers have caught on to the growing popularity of body-safe materials in toys, which is why they’ve begun to brand that their materials as “safe” when they’re really not.

2. Take Your Time and Do Your Research

This is all about YOU! Don’t feel rushed to settle on the first toy you see. Sure, there are some well-known classics like the rabbit vibrator seen in Sex and The City, and while those are still popular, there is no universal “magic bullet” for everyone (see what I did there?).
G-spot toys? Butt plugs? Suction vibrators? Think about what excites you and where you feel that in your body. But also, if something is intriguing, go and explore it! Don’t be afraid to explore different feelings and urges. Trust me, with all the options out there, there is something out there that will make you sing.
3. It Doesn’t Have to Look Like a Dick
I’m not saying you should stay away from dicks or things that resemble them. Please, by all means — if you like them, go for it. But feel free to explore the design-centric sex toys that don’t resemble that fleshy appendage. These toys are designed with anatomy in mind and can often be more comfortable.

4. Get a Good Lube

Lube is great whether you’re a novice or a sex toy expert. It decreases friction, making it a much smoother and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend water-based lube as it won’t interfere with the material in sex toys. The “rule-of-thumb” used to be that silicone lube breaks down silicone toys. However, in my experience, I’ve found that silicone lube is fine as long as your toy is 100% silicone and not mixed with other materials (which is pretty common among cheaper sex toys). As always, be sure to do a spot test beforehand!

5. Consult Sex Toy Bloggers

I CANNOT stress this enough! There are plenty of well-informed folks out there who review sex toys so that you can make informed decisions about your next purchase. When I was looking for an insertable toy, I became overwhelmed by how many options were out there. After searching countless blogs, I found that I resonated the most with Miss Ruby Reviews. Miss Ruby is an experienced sex toy reviewer whose reviews are in-depth and honest — perfect for first timers! She is also sex-positive, non-judgmental, and keen to issues surrounding human sexuality. I encourage you to check her out! All bloggers have their own style and flair, so scope out the ones you vibe with (yep, pun intended).

The point here is to keep exploring yourself and most of all, have fun! Your first vibrator should not only be something that knocks your socks off, but also something you’re proud to own.