Fun Factory

Monthly Faves: Silk Slips & Sex Ed

Kate Sloan

I spent most of February with my sweetheart in New York so I had a lot of comfy-cozy, dependably good sex this month. Here are some highlights…

Sex toys

• Fun Factory sent me their Stronic G pulsator this month and, as I noted in my review, it’s quite unique and wonderful. My partner did a good job of fucking me with it, and on one occasion, I even fucked them with it! Aww, romantic.

• One of my Valentine’s Day gifts from my very sweet partner was a Carter dildo from New York Toy Collective. I’ve wanted this bendable realistic dildo for a looong time, especially because it comes in a pink and blue colorway that makes me deliriously happy. While I haven’t gotten to try it for pegging yet, I’ve enjoyed getting fucked with it (and walking around with it strapped on!).

• I got zapped a whole bunch with the Neon Wand and Power Tripper combo this month, which – if you don’t know – allows the user to conduct electricity through their body so they can zap a partner with just their touch. It’s really a sadomasochist’s wet dream, and has become a fixture on our regular rotation of pain-play items (along with candles for wax play, the weird scratchy thing, and various impact implements).

Fantasy fodder

• Many of my most recurrent fantasies are just convoluted setups for receiving exceptionally good cunnilingus… This month I often found my mind drifting to the idea of an American Idol-esque oral sex competition where I am a discerning judge.

• I enjoyed live-tweeting a new Crash Pad Series scene where a very pregnant Dylan Ryan has raucously queer sex with her real-life partner. Most notably, I loved how good Dylan is at advocating for her own pleasure and comfort. #SexGoals!

• Watching Sex Education on Netflix has made me reflect on how exciting it can be to embark on your first (fumbling, imperfect) sexual adventures… As a result, I’ve been fantasizing a lot about surreptitious “first times” in hushed bedrooms or school supply closets!

Sexcetera

• I recently guested on Trends Like These again to discuss a number of complex issues with my friend Brent, like the cultural legacy of South Park, the ethics of reading your partner’s texts, and the ubiquity of domestic violence. Always a pleasure to get to have such smart conversations with such a smart person!

• In other podcast news: we had amazing guests like Kevin Allison and Dick Wound on Question Box this month, and on the Dildorks we talked about play parties, collars, and photography. My newsletter touched on well-worn kinky relationships, the ways in which hearts and clits are similar, the worst Valentine’s Day of my life, and how damn good it can feel to unfollow people you dislike.

• Sextistics: in February I had in-person sex 20 times and phone sex a scant 5 times, for a total of 25 sessions in 29 days. Pretty great 😎

Fashion & beauty

• After years of occasionally combing eBay for the infamous American Apparel figure skater dress in my size and in colors I didn’t already have, I finally scored one in bright red for a reasonable price and wore it on Valentine’s Day, along with a pink cardigan and pink heart necklace. I am nothing if not festive.

• I bought some new glasses for the first time in ~3 years and I love them all. In the past few months I’ve cut my hair short, gotten new glasses, and amped up my skincare, and I feel like a new woman!

• A couple months ago, I bought a pink and purple hand-dyed vintage nightgown at a vintage shop in Kensington Market, thinking I might later wear it on an anniversary date – but then I ended up wearing something else instead. I was glad, then, to be able to bust out the gown for a fancy-dress house party my partner and I got invited to when I was in New York. I paired it with black tights and my sky-blue Manolos and felt like a stunner all night.

Media

• I’ve been reading all the Oliver Sacks books I can get my hands on lately. If you don’t know, Sacks was a neurologist who documented unusual medical cases in beautifully written anthologies of case histories. I think my favorite ones I’ve read so far are The Mind’s Eye and Seeing Voices (on optical problems and deafness, respectively).

• I finally got around to watching Parasite, and like seemingly most people who’ve seen it, I adored it. What a striking portrait of class and privilege, told in a way that is somehow both hilarious and harrowing.

• Like many others in my field, I’ve been watching and loving Sex Education on Netflix. It’s a charming and sweet show about a sex-nerdy high-schooler and his diverse array of horny friends and classmates. I’m sad I’ve run out of episodes to watch!

Little things

Heart-shaped donuts. Queer bars. Being paid to write erotica. Hilariously bad customs photos. Helping a friend execute a romantic plan for her partner. Perfectly-phrased sentences. Sitting in the front row at improv shows with my love. Reading about psychology in the bath. Getting complimented on our matching outfits. Omakase sushi. Doing shrooms for the first time (!!) with a close pal watching over me. The Producers and Roger Bart. Listening to Andy Shauf on the bus. Lounging around in Matt’s plush floor-length bathrobe. Late-night meals at L’Express. Hypnotizing Bex. Receiving the compliment “That’s a great question!”

Reviews: Fun Factory Stronic Real + Stronic G

Kate Sloan
The Stronic Real (purple) and Stronic G (blue).

It’s very rare, as a sex toy reviewer, to be able to say that any product is truly unique. The sex toy industry has been around for long enough now that hardly any products bring anything genuinely new to the table – most of them are just improvements on (or attempts to improve) toys that already exist. While that’s a noble goal, sometimes I find myself thirsting for invention rather than just innovation.

Fun Factory really did reinvent the wheel a few years back when they launched their Stronic line of products. These toys actually thrust back and forth using technology I haven’t seen elsewhere. You can get Stronic-style movement in a whole bunch of different shapes now, which is great news because it means more people can enjoy this seemingly magical thrusting!

Recently I was lucky enough to be sent two new(ish) Stronic toys, and I’m gonna review them for you today. They’re both rechargeable, waterproof, made of silicone and plastic, and not anal-safe (due to the lack of a flared base), and both have a wide variety of speeds and patterns, but other than that, they’re pretty different, as you’ll see…

The Stronic Real (sent to me by the lovely folks at Betty’s Toy Box) is, as its name suggests, Fun Factory’s take on a “realistically” shaped toy. But this company isn’t exactly known for realism, so this toy moreso gestures at the idea of a penis than actually depicts one. I don’t mind that – dicks’ coronal ridge and thrusting action are two of my favorite qualities of theirs, and both of those are present here.

The thing you need to know right away about the Stronic Real is that it seems to be the best choice from the Stronic line for those of us who enjoy A-spot stimulation. It’s long enough to hit the spot in question, and has the exact shape that works best for me when I’m trying to reach my A-spot while satisfying the rest of my vagina too: a thick shaft and a tapered tip with a slight upward curve. If I ease the Stronic Real into my vag as far as it’ll go (using lots of lube, because Fun Factory silicone is draaaaggy), and brace the base of it with my hand or a pillow so it doesn’t slip out as it thrusts, it can stay pretty focused on my A-spot so I can pay attention to whatever I’m doing to my clit. (Probably using the Eroscillator on it, let’s be real.)

The Stronic G, by contrast, doesn’t usually even need to be braced against something – because it locks onto my G-spot and basically stays there. This phenomenon sets it apart from other toys in the Stronic line, to a significant enough extent that I could see turning to this one when the chronic pain in my hands is flaring up and I can’t (or don’t want to) hold a penetrative toy.

I’m not known for my squirting the way some other bloggers are, but boy howdy, this toy sure makes me squirt a lot. In my inaugural Stronic G session with my partner, I soaked through their bedsheets so thoroughly that we decided to belatedly put down a towel – which I then promptly soaked through, too. The thrusting feels a lot like a skilled partner fingerbanging you at the high rate of speed that many people find causes squirting. I find that it’s more of a constant trickle, unlike the bigger, more theatrical expulsions prompted by something heftier like the Pure Wand. If you’ve been curious about learning to squirt, the Stronic G might be a revelation for you – but on the flipside, if you find G-spot stimulation overwhelming or unpleasant, you will likely hate this toy. It is a G-spot-focused jackhammer and is, as Epiphora would say, not for the faint of vagina.

Neither the Real nor the G can hit my internal spots with the amount of force, accuracy, and frankly, slowness that I tend to prefer when partners use their fingers on those spots. It’s sort of like the difference between tickling and massage. I can definitely have orgasms with the faster, more surface-level stimulation provided by the Stronic toys – and I have, many times – but they have a different, more frenetic and less profound quality than orgasms I have when my spots are being stimulated more methodically and firmly. (This is why, as I get closer to orgasm, I sometimes ask my partner to switch from fucking me with the Stronic G to using something with more chutzpah, like the Eleven, to finish me off.) However, for toys that are more-or-less hands-free, they do an excellent job replicating the sensation of being fingerbanged. If you like getting fucked fast – or if you tend to thrust your dildos in and out on the quicker side of the spectrum – you’ll likely enjoy these.

Do I think you need both the Stronic Real and the Stronic G in your collection? Certainly not. The latter is best for hardcore G-spot stimulation enthusiasts, while the former is likelier to satisfy those who like A-spot stimulation and/or general vaginal fullness. But I am, admittedly, quite glad to own both. They’re both very damn good at their core competencies – and when you’re craving a Stronic, nothing else will do.

 

Thank you so much to Betty’s Toy Box and Fun Factory, respectively, for sending me these products to try!

Review: Fun Factory Laya II

Kate Sloan

How does that saying go? “Be careful what you wish for; you might get a less-good version of it”? Yeah, something like that.

I tried the battery-powered Fun Factory LayaSpot back in 2013. In my review, I wrote: “The vibrations are too weak and surfacey to get me off… I really wish they would overhaul this vibe as a rechargeable, because I would buy the shit out of that.” Lo and behold, four years later, Fun Factory came out with the Laya II, a rechargeable upgrade on the LayaSpot.

This new model has the exact same shape and dimensions as its predecessor, so devotees of the classic will dig it. The Layas’ shape is one of the things I like best about them: the rounded tip can dig into my clit with the moderate pressure I like, and is broad enough to cover the whole head of my clit but pinpoint enough to stimulate only where I want it. It feels comfortable in my hand, which wraps around it ergonomically such that my index finger can rest over the controls. It’s really quite a well-designed vibrator, shape-wise.

Motor-wise, though, not so much. The reason I wanted a rechargeable version of this toy is that Fun Factory is known for their fantastic rechargeable motors. Their other rechargeables, like the G4 Patchy Paul and G5 Big Boss, are remarkably strong and rumbly – but they’re all big enough to be used internally, and I wanted a li’l clitoral vibe, since I use vibrators externally almost exclusively. The Laya II does not have the signature bomb-ass Fun Factory motor; it has, instead, something weaker, buzzier, and disappointing.

It’s possible they did this because of size constraints – you can’t fit the same mechanics into something little like the Laya II that you could fit into a bigger, penetrative vibe – but other companies have managed to make powerful, rumbly clit vibes. (The We-Vibe Tango, VeDO Bam, and Swan Wand Mini come to mind.) I believed that if anyone could make the next truly great clit vibe, the one that would rival the Tango at long last, it would be Fun Factory. I’m kind of bummed that that isn’t the case.

Don’t get me wrong: the Laya II’s motor is fine. It can get me off. I’d rate it as a 6 out of 10 on the buzzy-to-rumbly scale – not awful, but not my favorite. And any level of buzziness grates on me these days, frankly. Like my friend Epiphora says about rumbly vibes: “My clit perks up, longing for orgasm, becoming an active participant in the process. Using a buzzier vibe, my arousal level is more stagnant, less dynamic, and the masturbatory experience is just not as fun.” The Laya II’s vibrations feel great for a couple minutes, but then their buzziness numbs my clit, so I have to move the vibe around, thrust my accompanying dildo faster, and/or crank the power. That buzzy quality would be understandable in a $50 battery-operated vibe like the LayaSpot; it’s less reasonable in a $120 rechargeable like the Laya II.

These vibrations are also loud. They make a high-pitched, jangly clattering noise that reminds me simultaneously of bees and snakes. And they numb my hand. Like it’s been stung and/or bitten by a bee and/or a snake.

To add insult to injury, the Laya II has a super unintuitive controls scheme whereby hitting the “plus” button again after the third steady speed turns the toy to a vibration pattern. This has tripped me up multiple times: I keep thinking I can increase the vibration speed further (because my clit’s so numb that I need mega-powered vibrations at that point), but then accidentally switching to a pattern and fucking up my impending orgasm. Aaaargh!

It’s just so frustrating that Fun Factory put such a sad motor in a toy as otherwise lovely as the Laya II. It makes me want to crack this vibe open and replace its motor with one from the We-Vibe Tango. You know, if I knew a damn thing about electronics and could do that. Which, alas, I don’t and can’t.

 

Thank you so much to Fun Factory for sending me this toy to review! You can shop their toys at SheVibe, Peepshow, and Come As You Are.

Dildoface: Rainbow Amor

Kate Sloan

Dildoface: Rainbow Amor from Girly Juice on Vimeo.

Pride is one of my favorite dress-up occasions of the whole year. It’s common to see Pride spectators and participants wearing eye-gougingly bright colors, over-the-top kinky ensembles, or sometimes nothing at all. For a fan of the outrageous, it’s a beautiful time to be alive!

Inspired by Pride weekend here in Toronto, I decided to make a video. It’s the first in what’ll hopefully be a series of DILDO-INSPIRED MAKEUP TUTORIALS! (How did I never think of this before?!)

In this video, I show you how to do an obnoxiously bright rainbow eye look, inspired by the Fun Factory Rainbow Amor. It’s one of the cutest dildos in my collection, and even featured prominently in a strap-on selfie I took this morning. What better dildo to evoke an eyeshadow look?

If you want an Amor of your very own, you can get one at SheVibe. The rainbow version has been discontinued (boo!), but you can still get one in pink, orange, or black. Adorbz!

Let me know what you think of Dildoface: should I do more videos like this? What dildos from my collection would make for good makeup muses? I’m all ears!

Sex Toys for Canadians

Kate Sloan

Sometimes it feels like, when you live outside of the USA, you get the short end of the stick in terms of being able to buy stuff. Imported American products are usually more expensive here in Canadaland, plus you have to pay shipping fees that are sometimes exorbitant. No thank you!

Fortunately, there are some great retailers who provide toys to us northern folk without ridiculously overcharging us or obligating us to pay staggering import duties. Here are some of my faves…

Sex Toys Canada was one of the very first retailers to send me stuff to review, so they hold a special place in my heart. (I’m also the main writer on their blog!) They’re based in Montreal, so if you live in the easterly part of Canada, orders will get to you especially fast.

They’re always having excellent sales and deals; check their homepage for any current discount codes. They also have a sale section that’s full of amazingly cheap stuff.

PinkCherry.ca is another one of my Canadian faves. They’re located in Mississauga (or thereabouts – I’m not actually sure) so if you live in Toronto or the GTA, you’ll get your order very quickly. Mine always arrive within 2 business days, which makes me really happy – (almost) instant gratification!

Check their homepage and/or subscribe to their mailing list for updates on current deals and sales. A word to the wise: they have some of the lowest prices in the biz on Njoy toys; you can get the legendary Pure Wand or my all-time favorite butt plug for lower prices than I’ve seen anywhere else. Put some steel in yo’ holes!

Sensual Intelligence is committed to only stocking toys that are body-safe and eco-friendly. Not many companies have that much integrity so I really respect them for making that choice.

They have many of the high-end, luxury sex toys that would be prohibitively expensive to ship from the U.S., like the Stronic Drei, Form 2, and Jopen Lust.

Fellow Canadians, where do you get your sex toys?