The logo is pink. They throw parties. You get to try out everything before you buy it. It’s like Mary Kay, but with sex toys. Pure Romance invaded Fisk Hall 217 on Wednesday night with a wide array of massage tools, lubricants, vibrators and cock rings for “Get the Truth Before You Get Naked,” part of Sex Week.
Pure Romance is sponsoring Sex Week, a series of events to educate college students about sex and sexual health put on by the College Feminists. The Ohio-based company sells “relationship enhancement products” and offers sexual health advice.
“It’s for all women,” said Erin Hoschouer, director of health education for Pure Romance. “Every woman has some type of struggle or challenge with her intimacy. It’s not always about sex. It can be questions they’re not comfortable asking in other forums.”
Weinberg sophomore Stella Fayman founded Sex Week this year to address the lack of communication about sex she noticed on campus. The program is modeled after Yale’s Sex Week, commonly considered the most sexually aware campus, Fayman said.
“Even though resources exist at the Health Education Department [at Northwestern], I didn’t even know they were there until I started working on this,” Fayman said.
Communication is a core message in Hoschouer’s education program. She said she’s working to provide alternative ways that women can communicate with their partners and in general about sex and their sexual health.
“I try to get to the root of what makes [people] uncomfortable,” she said. “It’s about empowerment, not just intercourse.”
Hoschouer demonstrated Pure Romance’s products and offered a few helpful tips to improve every part of the sexual experience, from arousal to orgasm:
- Foreplay: Hoschouer recommends massage as a great way to explore different types of arousal and learn more about your partner’s body. “Oh, ah, talk to let them know you enjoy this,” she said. “It’s a really great way to communicate with your partner that’s not sitting over a pizza saying ‘I really like it when you touch me here.’” Another great way to find new sensitive spots is with edible body powder. You can dust your partner with it using a feather, and then lick it off, finding new soft spots along the way.
- Lubricants: “It’s important to know when to use which kind of lubricants,” Hoschoeur said. She says water-based, water-soluble lubes are best for daily use. They’re safe to use with latex condoms, and help with dryness. For special circumstances some oil-based lubricants can be appropriate. Silicone-based lubes are long-lasting since they don’t sink into your skin, and are good for use in showers, hot tubs, and Jacuzzis, Hoschouer says. If you’re looking for something extra-special, warming and flavored lubes can also be fun, but only in moderation. Hoschouer warns that using these lubes every day can turn the lubricants into irritants. Portion control is also key. “Anytime something gets sticky, you’re using too much,” she said.
- Heighteners: If you’re having a little trouble getting in the mood, or want to add a little extra kick to sex life, heighteners might be for you. Heighteners come in a variety of strengths depending on your sensitivity and preference. Some heighteners are more natural, offering a consistent sensation, while other get stronger with more friction. But start slow, as strong heighteners aren’t for everyone. Pure Romance’s X-Scream is not for the faint of heart. “If you don’t need this kind of strong lubricant, it will make you scream your own name,” Hoschouer said.
- Females Toys: Hoschouer recommends starting with a bullet, a small clitoral vibrator. The bullet can also be used elsewhere on your body to find new sensitive spots. Vibrators and dildos come in a variety of shapes and sizes to cater to specific preferences. Many are bent upwards to provide direct stimulation to the G-spot on the front vaginal wall. A vibrator can be an investment, as the price increases as the design gets more complicated. “Based on the handshake, I can tell why it’s so expensive,” said Mugsie Pike, a Communication freshman and recipient of a free vibrator for participating in a demonstration. “It was quiet, and the beads were really small and all over it.”
- Male Toys: Cock rings come in different designs with clitoral and anal stimulators attached to many. These toys with multiple stimulation points are the most popular, Horschouer says. Men can also use male masturbation sleeves, jelly-like toys that can be used either in self-stimulation or during sex to provide a unique sensation.