Review - Shunga Erotic Art - Arousal Gel - "Secret Garden" Female Orgasm Enhancing Cream

Note:  I started writing this review in 2011 and am posting it now for the sake of completion.  Babeland no longer sells this product, to my knowledge, and it is not clear to me whether Shunga is still an operating business.

However, there are still a number of sites selling this product.  It concerns me that they may be selling a product that is actually many years old.

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The word Shunga refers to erotic Ukiyo-e Japanese art of the 16th to 18th centuries, one of the major historical roots of pornography and sex manuals today.  

Shunga Arousal Gel comes in a classy, thick black box with the image of a Geisha on the front.  On the back of the box, "gently apply with your fingertips to your secret garden," *eyeroll* My secret garden?  Really, Shunga?  Who are you trying to protect from the word clitoris here?  Is someone who is too delicate to read the word clit supposed to be buying a product like this? "and you will discover new sensations that will take you to the limits of the female orgasm..."


I open the box to be hit with a strong but pleasant minty scent, a small 1 ounce black bottle, instructions, and a warning card telling me that every woman is different and I may find the orgasm cream too strong or too weak on the first try.  I may need to rinse off the product right away if it's too much or I might need to apply it as many as 3 times to get any effect from it.  Interesting.  


The instructions, which are in English and French, include advertisements for other Shunga products, and go into slightly more detail about how to use Shunga Arousal Gel, specifying that it is for the clitoris, should be massaged throughly into what says under the clitoris, but I think they mean under the clitoral hood, and that I may need to apply 3 consecutive days if I don't feel sensations immediately.  I have to say that I really think the outer instructions should be more specific that it is for the clit and not meant to be a sex lube, because someone out there is probably going to think that "secret garden" is their vagina.  


The instructions specify that Shunga Arousal Gel is not for pregnant women, or women with genital herpes.  Ingredients include glycerine, l-arginine, l-ornithine, damiana, peppermint oil, vitamin E, and also, unfortunately, parabens.  Yeah, I'm not happy using a product with parabens on one of my most delicate and porous body areas.  Product made in Canada.


There are also several wording inconsistencies and misspellings on the packaging, instructions and bottle, which is a pet peeve of mine and does not inspire confidence.  The ingredient list on my package and the ingredient list on babeland.com do not match. Babeland's ingredient list has capsicum, no parabens, and overall a healthier list of ingredients.  Babeland states that the product is not for internal use, and I agree that it's not a great idea, but Shunga does not have this written anywhere.  Shunga says their product may be used with a partner, but does not specify whether it is safe to use with condoms, or whether oral sex is safe after applying the product.  If you are prone to vaginal or urethral infections, I would recommend using this product with care, as some of the ingredients are irritants for some people.  


Technically, I believe this product is safe to use with a condom, however, I unfortunately couldn't not find any handy to test it on, since I haven't used one in a couple of years.  My guy and I have been monogamous for many years now and since I can't get pregnant anymore, I see no point in him wearing one, I hate them as much as I'm sure he does.


There is no silicone in this product, therefore it should be perfectly safe to use with all sex toys and dildos, however, again, I don't particularly recommend using this internally.  I'm sure some women might like it, but I personally have yet to really enjoy using any kind of warming or cooling lube, and if this gets into your vagina, it's basically going to feel like a cooling lube because of the peppermint oil. YMMV and it's your risk to take, but be aware you may experience unpleasant irritation, dryness, or infection later.


Going to the Shunga website, after some digging, I see that they state Shunga Orgasm Cream is edible, however their ingredient list seems to support the one I have listed with the box I received.


Test one, just seeing what the cream did on its own - I applied a nickel-size dollop of the clear gel onto my clit, lifting up the hood, and let it soak in for awhile.  I felt some tingling almost instantaneously, and frankly, my clit started feeling a little oversensitive and "bruised" in just a minute or two.  I also got wet quickly.  The tingling and sort of a "heavy" feeling in my clit lasted about 30 minutes.  Later on I masturbated and my clit still felt kinda bruised from the start, but I did come more quickly than usual.


Test two, [never completed.  Do not want to use a cream that is years old, for safety, at this point, sorry.]


I feel that Shunga needs to use less of their instruction page on adverts and more on important product information.  It should always be clear what a product is used for and what is safe and not safe.

Final Verdict - Indeterminable.  Did not test enough to feel comfortable giving a rating.





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Disclaimer - This product was provided to me as a Babeland Affiliate. However, all my reviews are completely thoughtful and honest.

Review - Soft On Demand (SOD) Mobile Denma cell phone strap vibrator

Soft On Demand (SOD), a major adult product manufacturer in Japan, has made a cell phone charm sized vibrator that is equal parts joke and ingenuity, I think.  Ever wish you could carry a convenient vibrator in your pocket wherever you go?  Mobile Denma can help you out for your emergency sexual health needs.

This massager/vibrator is very small.  The smallest one I've ever seen.  It can be attached to a cell phone or bag, etc, with the lanyard that comes with it, either just the massager, or the massager inside the "pill" case it also comes with.  The pill look to the whole package, including the adorable "plus sign" on/off button, reinforces the toy's intended "for your health" image.  With the pill case, it just looks like a random dangly phone strap charm, so no one will know you are actually carrying a vibrator with you everywhere.

Mobile Denma with iPhone and quarter

Mobile Denma size as compared to rabbit vibrator

I bought this because I thought it was cute, funny, and also out of curiosity of how powerful could this little toy actually be?

Well, it's got a bigger kick than you would think, surprisingly effective, possibly due to the motor being 12,500 rpm (cannot confirm, but that is what several web sources said).  I think if you are a more sensitive person, you could most likely orgasm with this thing.  It's actually a little more effective than some cheap bullet vibrators I've used.  Maybe a 2 out of 5 on the buzz scale.

However, I think the main function of SOD Mobile Denma is as a teaser toy, something to run over sensitive body parts like the lips, neck, nipples, vulva, clit, etc, in order to tease and warm-up yourself or your partner, before other sexual activity or using another, stronger, toy.  This toy is far too small to be used on any orifices.  It is absolutely not safe for anal use.

Although it may be carried in public, it can't really be used in public, even to massage your temples or something, since it's obnoxiously loud, unfortunately.  Not the loud vibrator ever, but it's definitely not quiet.  The batteries rattle a little in the casing.  I have found that a lot of "hard plastic" type vibrators have this problem.  Around a 3 or 4 out of 5 on the loudness scale.

The massager runs off of 2 LR44 coin batteries, which lasts for approximately 30 minutes of continuous use.

I am not sure of the exact material, but this is made out of some kind of smooth, hard plastic - nonporous but cannot be totally sterilized.  If you think you might like to widely share this toy, consider just using it over clothing.  Any lube could be used with this toy, but you probably won't need to use any.

Mobile Denma is not waterproof.  I would suggest cleaning with a damp washcloth or antibacterial wipe, and never attempting to immerse in water or take into the shower.

Final Verdict: 2/5, not a must-have, but a fun conversation piece, a cheap gag gift, or something to try out as a teaser. 

Among other places, SOD Mobile Denma may be purchased at J-List.com, in black, pink, purple, or lime green.

Disclaimer - This item was purchased solely by me.  I am not affiliated with SOD or J-List in any way and am not receiving compensation for this review.

Review - Tenga Double Hole Sleeve Masturbator

Tenga often gives me a wicked case of penis envy.  Just looking at their innovative disposable male masturbation sleeves makes me die of curiosity of what they feel like to a penis.  Alas, I don't have one, even just to borrow now and again, so this review is from my husband.

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My initial reaction to the Tenga Double Hole Sleeve was "Why does this exist?"  But on giving the product a spin (perhaps "thrust" is a better term), I came around (no pun intended) and found that the variety added quite a bit to the masturbation experience.

If you've never used a Tenga sleeve, it is a cylinder about 6 inches long and 3 inches in diameter.  There's a hole at the end.  Penis goes in the hole (lube recommended), and the rest comes naturally (pun intended).  The gimmick to the Double Hole Sleeve is that there are two holes, one at either end.  The "Sweet Side" is lined with nubs that provide a subtle effect.  It's not a highly realistic simulation of a vagina, but it still feels very good.  The "Bitter Side" is tighter and ribbed, providing a more intense experience.  The effect of the ribs is definitely not subtle, but it's not so tight as to be uncomfortable.



My initial doubts came from wondering whether the two sides would serve a purpose--after all, wouldn't I just stick with one side, or use two different masturbation aids?  But the two-in-one approach worked well--it's quick to switch sides (withdraw, flip the sleeve around, and get back to business), which added variety and helped prolong the experience.  While the packaging implies this is a threesome simulator, it's not all that realistic.  But real women aren't six inch long cylinders, so I wasn't looking for a precise simulation.  The two sides are well designed for the trip to Happytown.



The trip to Happytown isn't without bumps, however.  First, a sleeve like this is messy.  You'll want to use lube--although the sleeve comes pre-lubricated, it's not an overwhelming amount, and it dries eventually.  I'm a neat freak, so I spread out a towel (washing the bedspread is a pain) and make sure to have some towels or tissues nearby to wipe my hands.  If you've taken the cap off both sides of the sleeve, you'll be pushing some lube out through one end, which contributes to the messiness.

Speaking of pushing things out through the other end, I also had an encounter with what I call "Creepy Tenga Foam".  There were two small pieces of foam that came out mid-wank.  While not too disgusting, lube-coated foam is not a turn-on.  The foam also presents an opportunity for hilarity during cleanup--trying to pick up slippery foam while lubricated hands produces all sorts of comic hijinks.

If you're concerned about being discreet, be aware that there's no mistaking what this product is for on close inspection.  The label includes icons in the universal language of "this is a masturbation device meant to simulate a threesome".  It's not so obvious that it screams out across a room, but anyone who takes a look will figure out what this is for.

Final Verdict:  4 / 5  This sleeve does its job well, and the two sides provide a fun novelty.  It has some of the flaws I haven't liked about other Tenga sleeves (creepy foam, only intended for one use), but the overall experience was positive.

Click on the Babeland banner to look for this and other Tenga products.

Disclaimer - This product was provided to me as a Babeland Affiliate. However, all my reviews are completely thoughtful and honest.