Sex Toys 101 - How to Tell the Good from the Bad 

• go for trusted names like Kama Sutra, JimmyJane and Earthly Body - several immitations of these companies' products have sprung up - they are cheaper but are much lower quality and have more additives
• look for simple products with clear packaging and ingredient lists - the shorter the list of ingredients, the fewer chemicals and unknown substances you're putting in and on your body
• if you can, sample before you buy so that you know you like the smell, taste, and texture of the product

What to avoid:

• stay away from things that have a lot of chemicals in them, particularly preservatives - this will feel and taste unnatural
• don't bother with any product that makes great promises like virgin again potions, aphrodiasiac formulas and orgasm creams - they simply do not work
• edible/flavored products can be a lot of fun but if they contain sugar, just use them on the skin, not in the vagina - check the ingredient list to find out if there's sugar in it

• pick vibrators that are made of hard plastic, pyrex glass, ABS plastic, elastomer, thermo-plastic rubber, or 100% silicone - the other types of materials degrade quickly, are impossible to clean, and contain toxic chemicals that leach out of them
• unfortunately, the biggest manufacturers also make the cheapest, most unreliable toys - two quick tips for picking out a better toy are to pick the simpler, plainer packaging that does not have photos on it, and check to see if the packaging includes the disclaimer 'for novelty use only' - the makers of quality toys don't put this on their products
• if you're just starting out, get something simple that can be used in a variety of ways - don't go for the $300 model with all the bells and whistles, you may end up disappointed
• vibrators made in Japan and Germany have the best quality motors - vibes made in China and Taiwan are the worst quality - it should say on the box where the toy is made

• if the toy has an odor, don't buy it - the smell is chemical softeners coming out of it
• if you're hands feel sticky or oily after you've touched the toy, be wary - it probably has phthalates or petroleum products in it
• stay away from toys with battery compartments and wiring that looks flimsy and could break easily
• don't bother with gimmick toys - toys that are designed to look like something in particular (like the tongue) or to do something very specific (like the vibrator that attaches to your tongue), often don't work properly - stay with things that are fairly simple and can be used in a number of ways

• again, pick a dildo that's made of hard plastic, pyrex glass, metal, elastomer, or 100% silicone
• if it's your first dildo, look for one that is soft and yeilding to the touch but firm enough to be inserted, don't go for hard plastic, glass, or metal until you've played a bit and are sure about how you are going to use it and what size and shape you want
• if you want to use the dildo anally, get one with a handle or a flared base, that way, if you loose your grip on it, you can retrieve it easily
• if you're not sure about size, you can use the cucumber technique - get a large cucumber and pare it down until you reach a size that feels comfortable for you, then measure its diameter (toy widths are diameter, not circumference) - be aware that many toys don't have the size on the packaging so you'll need to be at a store or site (like ours) that tells you the size of the toy

• stay away from cheap jelly rubber dildos - you'll be able to tell by the smell and the sticky feel of them
• again, toys in plainer packaging are usually better quality
• don't buy hard glass or plastic dildos unless you've already experimented with dildos and you're sure  this is what you want - they can be uncomfortable and you can hurt yourself
• when buying plastic toys, be sure to check for any seams - these will scratch and cause pain internally
• in general, the simpler the dildo, the better - stay away from toys that have fancy designs in them - this creates little cavities where bacteria and dirt can hide

• you can start simple with these types of toys and may even choose to go out of the sex shop for a simple satin scarf to use as a blindfold or a feather duster for tickling - if starting with simple things, don't spend a lot of money on them - wait until you know what you like before you go all out
• if you're looking for cuffs, unless you want to play dress-up and be a cop, go for high quality soft cuffs, these will still do the job without hurting the wrists or ankles
• when choosing whips, paddles and floggers, check for good quality workmanship, sturdy stitching and smooth handles that won't scratch

• in general, it's best to avoid mass-produced bondage gear - it just isn't sturdy enough to handle the kind of play it will get - the one major exception to this is Sportsheets - their products are made for play - otherwise, go custom or handmade
• don't buy an entire dungeon's worth of toys until you know what you're doing - if you've never tried it before, stick with ticklers and very gentle paddling - using percussion instruments or bondage gear can result in injury or emotional trauma - go slow and work with your partner