Archive | Condoms & Safer Sex Products RSS feed for this section

Savor Me

One of the biggest complaints I hear about using condoms for oral is the horrible taste they leave in the mouth. To be honest, I really can’t disagree; from my experiences they always seemed like a mixture of rubber, slime, powdery residue and nausea inducing latex. Not fun, and definitely not sexy, especially when you’ve got something rammed down your throat just teasing the gag reflexes.  Fortunately there are quite a few decently flavored condoms available to help make the experience far more pleasurable, for both parties.

Within the “OOO” Savor Me collection there are currently only 3 flavors to choose from; strawberry, chocolate dip and vanilla, all of which were surprisingly better than I expected since none of them had the trademark rubber/latex smell or thick syrupy taste found with many other brands.

Before I go on I do want to mention that I sampled the condoms in 3 different ways to gauge the experience; once orally with my partner, once straight from the package (though why you’d do that I have no clue), and once cut to resemble a dental dam (for those of you that may opt to use condoms that way). Unfortunately I didn’t really think of using them for intercourse, so I can’t speak about the experience should you choose to use them that way.

(note: for those that don’t like the taste of semen or the thought of having it in their mouth, using flavored condoms is a great way to allow your partner(s) to finish without consistently worrying that they might shock you with an unexpected hot load <- yes I really did just write that.)

Packaging

Since I covered the vast majority of the packaging in my previous “OOO” Boutique condom review, for this review I’m just going to focus on the single packs.

Each single cover is crafted out of matte paper/cardboard that feels smooth and luxurious, while also coming across as very high end. There’s nothing about them that’s cheap or flimsy, with the actual cover being fairly thick and well constructed, making them great for protecting the condom inside.

The designs of each are professional yet artistic, simple yet fashionable, and sleek yet playful, with an appearance like nothing currently being offer in the market. To be honest, if someone pulled one of these out in a public place and dropped it on a table I wouldn’t know what it was at first glance, instead I’d likely assume it was a little booklet of some sort rather than a condom.  On that note, located within the cover is a fold out that offers instructions and tips for application on one side and the various products they create on the other (pictured below).

As for the actual condoms, each foil wrapper is simple with a lovely silver outer package that sports the “ooo” logo and “do it with style” on the front, with the back containing the expiration date and information about the condom.

The Flavors & Experience

When used orally (with my partner) the condoms weren’t baggy or thick and didn’t move around much in my mouth, of course that may be due to my partners size and therefore won’t apply to everyone, but I think it’s still worth noting – especially for those that have used condoms for oral and found they shifted around during use. On that note, they didn’t get in the way or interfere, something I’ve come to expect due to past experiences.  Application was likewise easy, with no sticking, bunching or tangling of the latex to complicate things while rolling the condom down the shaft of the penis.

As for the flavors…

Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla

The first I tried was chocolate, with the scent and taste being a pretty close match. Sure it didn’t taste exactly like chocolate, but it’s a flavored condom so it’s to be expected, especially since there only seemed to be a thin coating of the flavored lube they used. The scent wasn’t strong or overbearing either, instead being light, sweet and luscious. Regarding the coloring, the condom is black, not brown which I’d expect being that chocolate is brown, making my partners dick look more like a giant black magic marker than anything else. Yeah, there’s a fun visual for ya.

Next up was strawberry, which didn’t really taste much like strawberry at all; it was fruity and somewhat sweet, but tasted more like a non distinct chalky fruit candy that quickly dissipated to only a hint of fruit. Although it wasn’t much to write home about, the fact that there wasn’t a disgusting aftertaste or gag worthy sliminess was certainly nice. As for the color, you’re looking at a very bright candy apple red shade that’s fairly transparent when worn. Though I will say, having sex with someone who looks like they have a pinkish rash on their dick (due to the condom) was definitely a new experience for me.

Ghost Condom says "boo!"

Last was vanilla, almost instantly I was hit with the light scent of a creamy vanilla milkshake (kinda like an Ensure Nutritional Drinks), as for the taste, it’s subtle, very subtle, being almost like nothing at all. I honestly would have loved for the flavor to have been a tad stronger, or lasted longer, since it was pretty good while it was there. Having said that, being that it lost the taste so quickly I really can’t say very much about it other than it wasn’t slimy or thick, syrupy, overly lubed or powdery which was much more than I hoped for. Unlike the other “OOO” condoms (Rock Me and Feel Me), instead of being almost totally transparent the vanilla condoms had a slight white tint to them. For some reason I thought coloring them like ghosts would be a fun idea (pictured left). #boredombreedsentertainment

The Bad

The only problem we found was that the flavors didn’t last very long. On the up side, once the flavor was gone they didn’t smell or taste like latex. Having said that, adding a flavored lube of the same type would be a decent solution, and with System Jo making both Strawberry and Chocolate versions, and Intimate Organics offering a pretty decent Vanilla Caramel, along with Sliquid making the BEST cherry vanilla lube I’ve ever had, it should be a solution that’s easy to employ.

*For those of you that suggest not using a condom for oral let me just say this, HPV, Herpes, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia, can all be passed on to your partner(s) orally. Don’t really care? Let’s see if you say that after looking at these pictures of Chlamydia or these pictures of Syphilis. Personally I’d prefer to either go without or use a condom.

Final Verdict

If you’re sick of flavored condoms that have a scent and taste that’s syrupy, thick, practically all latex and totally nausea inducing, you might want to try the “OOO” Boutique Savor Me flavored condoms, although the flavors didn’t stick around very long (chocolate being the best) what they had to offer was pretty decent (considering that they’re condoms). If on the the other hand you’re looking for ones with a bit more lasting power I’d suggest Endurance or a Trustex 12 pack, both offer a wider variety of flavors and are free of the latex grossness.

To get your hands on a variety of flavored condoms at great prices, head over to ShopSexEd102.com where shopping for your intimate accessories is discreet and priced to fit any budget!

For those interested in the Rock Me (pleasure enhanced) or Feel Me (sheer) versions the company creates I suggest you either subscribe to my RSS feed or fill out the form below as I’ll be covering them in an up coming review.

Want to stay up to date with the new reviews? Just sign up for an email update through the form below!

As part of my mission to educate and empower I thought it might be a good idea to cover something not too many reviewers have, condoms. Now I know a lot of you are probably wondering why I’d choose to cover such a product, especially since there seemingly isn’t too much to write about; they’re made of latex, polyurethane/polyisoprene or lambskin, go over a penis and help prevent unplanned pregnancies and STD transmissions. Big whoop!

Truth is, with all of the ‘new and improved’ options on the market I thought there might be a way I could incorporate the different varieties into a series of reviews that helps bring an awareness about safer sex practices, the benefits of making informed decisions and learning to be proud of using prophylactics rather than ashamed or embarrassed.

To help me make my point, and potentially offer a way to make using condoms a bit more sexy and fashionable, the generous folks at the up and coming “ooo” boutique provided me with an entire box of goodies to review and showcase for you. From flavors to textures, sheer to pleasure enhanced, I literally have EVERYTHING they’ve created so far.

On that note, because such a big part of what makes these condoms so fantastic is the ‘designer’ packaging I thought I’d dedicate one full post to it, with the next post being dedicated to the actual condoms. If you’re only interested in the condoms I suggest you jump ahead to part 2 (again with the following the RSS Feed so you know when it comes out).

*Since I’m a believer in paying it forward I’m going to return the favor the folks at the company showed me and share. If you’d like the chance to get your hands on some of these bad ass goodies I’ll be holding an “ooo” giveaway in the coming month.  If you want to participate I suggest you subscribe to my RSS feed so you’ll be one of the first to know.

*All “ooo” boutique condoms are FDA approved, individually tested, and exceed all international standards for quality and reliability. – as taken from the website

Packaging

When it came to designing a line of condoms that were as creative as they were effective, the creators of “ooo” boutique nailed it! Especially if effective means you’ll want to carry them, be more comfortable keeping them around the house, and therefore better prepared to engage in safer sex practices.

Whether it’s the unique boxes or the simple and sleek colorings used, the outer packaging has a lot going for it. It’s sophisticated. It’s artistic. It’s professional. It’s exciting. It’s discreet. It screams sexy. It’s everything many of the other mainstream condom manufacturers aren’t… and puts them to shame in the process. While the shape of the outer foil may give them away (they’re a traditional square foil with a perforated edge) the single wrappers aren’t brightly colored and don’t attract much attention; just a simple silver cover with the “ooo” lettering on each side.

As for the outer designs there are currently 6 main collections, with Tryst, Passion Pack and Art of Lust having 3 different variations on the theme. Alternatively, the Kung Fu Sutra, Take Me and Try Me boxed gift sets feature separate individually designed foil wrappers created to entice exploration of the environment and your physical prowess (images of different locations and positions being the theme). Regardless of the ones you choose, all of the “ooo” collections are pretty fantastic and worth the slightly higher price tag they command.

Tryst ~ 6 pack ($7.99), Singles ($1.59)

The Tryst line of condoms includes alluring cubes in a luxurious slick matte black tone and an almost neon shade of red, purple or yellow. The front of the boxes feature the theme name (savor me, feel me or rock me) along with a poetic prose written in a shiny black ink only visible when the cube’s tilted to expose the lettering. Located on the bottom front is a cutout corresponding with the theme; top half of  a heart for “feel me”, top of a crown for “rock me” (We Will Rock You by Queen being the assumed inspiration) and a top half of lips for “savor me” (flavored condoms, go figure). The back offers basic instructions, cautions and company info, while the top and bottom have an embossed “ooo” logo, website url and ‘important information” regarding the pros of practicing safe sex. The lid easily slides upwards and off to allow access to the condoms while also acting as a discreet little storage container. It’s simple. It’s clever. And I like it. A lot.

Passion ~ 6 pack ($7.99), Singles ($1.59)

The Passion collection of condoms features a smooth and clean white tall sachet style package that’s simple, discreet and fairly unique, especially when compared to the traditional rectangle boxes used by many major manufacturers.

The neon colors within the collection are the same as Tryst, with a softer pastel purple being the only real difference. Rather than the half crown, lips and heart found on the previous cubes, Passion features a colored heart placed front and center as well as on the back where the flip tab is located. Unfortunately there’s no poetic prose included with this collection, instead you’ll find a sentence coinciding with the theme written in metallic silver. Like Tryst there are basic instructions, cautions and company info provided on the back, as well as a pamphlet located inside.

Both Tryst and Passion offer the option of discreet single condoms, packaged in the corresponding color schemes as the larger versions. Considering one of the major problems that comes with carrying a single foil wrapped prophylactic is the fact that it could get worn, punctured or torn, the inclusion of a thick quality cover is a pretty decent idea.

Kung Fu Sutra – 8 pack ($15.99)

When it comes to concepts I just don’t get, the Kung Fu Sutra themed condoms is one of them. Sure the packaging is stylish, unique, exceptionally artistic and very well deigned, but it’s just not very practical or realistic. If they were doing it for a laugh, okay fine, but otherwise – not so much. (If you can find me a link to a prOn or website where the positions are found, hook a sister up! That’s just something I need to see!!)

As for the packaging, the eight single wrapped condoms come in a tawny colored rectangular box that features Asian theme you’d expect to find on most Kama Sutra or Shunga products. The red, black and beige shades lend themselves well to this concept, as does the inclusion of Japanese characters and sexually explicit images of ninjas in various sexual positions (yes, I did just say ‘ninjas in various sexual positions’. I win.). Quite surprisingly the box containing the condoms is sturdy, thick, with a bit of weight to it, rather than being a cheap and flimsy box that falls apart quickly. To put it lightly, I’m very impressed.

From the get go the major theme of this collection is rather apparent; each individually wrapped condom features an image of an exceptionally challenging position meant to inspire users to ‘face-off  in a game of power and pleasure” (as quoted on the website). The graphics are artistic and very well designed, interesting and often induce a case of serious curiosity as to whether or not the positions could be pulled off… even if they are a tad far fetched and too complicated for the average person to even dream of completing (I see a lot of frustrating sex being had thanks to these bad boys). The lid is easily removed providing access the condoms, while the box could be reused at a later date to safely store refills or small lube samples/batteries.

*the only thing I didn’t really like about this was the lack of images of males on males, all of it is hetero in nature.

Art Of Lust ~ 6 Pack ($7.99), Singles ($1.59)

When it comes to condom packaging that’s fresh, sophisticated and highly impressive, the sleek match box style containers are where it’s at. Not only are the 3 different boxes easy to store, taking up less room than the traditional packaging larger condom boxes offer, they’re also well made and do a fantastic job of allowing the condoms to be easily accessed yet still well protected (no cheap cardboard here, the box is sturdy and designed to hold up).

Like the other two versions Art of Lust comes in a totally different design, being a sliding box with a ribbon pull rather than a sachet or cube style. The colors, while vivid, are quite muted emphasizing skin tones and golden metallic shades rather than the pastel or bright neon pigments found with the others. The front features the male, female or both images, while the back has a simple sentence coinciding with the theme written in black followed by some info on the pros of practicing safe sex. Sure the lines are a little cheesy, but they’re not that bad.

As for the designs, I don’t know that I’d use the word ‘lust’ to describe them. Intense? Maybe. Interesting? Very. Attractive? Definitely. Artistic? Highly. Having said that they are something a person would likely ask about should they see them, they can’t not,  they’re that eye catching. Regarding the faces, I don’t know what they were going for but the female image slightly resembles an 80’s era Annie Lennox, with the male looking a tad like a shaved version of Sasha Baren Cohen mixed with Freddie Mercury. Quite a bit of cock rock if you ask me! (someone seriously needs to create a female equivalent to that term. Just sayin.)

According to the website the collection is limited edition, with each box designed by an ‘up and coming artist’. Unfortunately the site lacks a reference to who the artists are, making it hard for me to give credit where it’s due (Hey OOO Boutique, if you’re reading this I’d love a link please and thanks!).

Take Me ~ 12 Pack ($19.99), Singles ($1.59)

If you’ve ever needed a little push to do something fun, like let’s say have sex an elevator, take a roll in the hay, play secretary/boss at the office, or do it in the kitchen, the fun and frisky condoms offered in the Take Me collection may just be what you’re looking for.

Not sure how to broach the topic of ‘public’ play? Try slipping one into your partners pocket, purse, gym bag or wallet. Without much effort, other than a text message to let them know where it’s hiding, they should catch the drift.

Each single condom comes packaged with an image of a potentially playful, erotic or risky location on the front. Fortunately there’s quite a bit to choose from, in addition to the options listed above there’s also: The Beach, woods, one mile high, the drive-in, a tent, parents room, the back seat and the pool.

As for the packaging it’s fairly simple: each condom sits within a large rectangular sleek matte grey box with a clear plastic cover that encloses the 12 condoms, showing them off very well. The back features an image of all the condoms within the collection as some are hidden by the ‘take me’ logo found on the front.  As with the other versions the back also contains info on safer sex practices and company info.

Final Verdict

With the refreshingly different product packaging used by “ooo” boutique being a far cry from what one might expect, it’s not surprising they’re being toted as ‘designer’ condoms. Having said that, if you’ve refrained for fear someone may find them  or simply because you value discretion, “ooo” boutique is a brand you might want to consider. The boxes are small enough to fit almost anywhere, they’re sophisticated in feel, don’t have a well known brand name sprawled across the front and most importantly, are condoms you’d want to pull out with pride (just so you could show them off).

While some basics similarities may remain, “ooo” boutique has raised the bar and helped to push the prophylactic industry into a whole other level. Let’s hope that companies like this thrive and grow, creating a fashionable awareness about safer sex practices and supporting the cause for generations to come.