Lets see if this sounds familiar. You've decided you want a Sex toy. You feel good about this decision. You are excited and nervous as you enter the store for, perhaps, the very first time, pleased with your new-found confidence and blossoming sexual curiosity. But then…

There are so many! Pink ones, blue ones, huge ones, tiny ones, ones with rabbits and butterflies and faces, ones that are shaped like rocket ships and alien probes… it’s like you've dropped into some topsy-turvy Sci-fi world for adults. You wonder if it would be too conspicuous to just back out the door and run away. Because how can you choose? What are all these? Will you like them? How will you know?

Deep breath! This is what we’re here for. And if you’re not ready to ask us in person, or even if you are and just need a little cheat sheet to refer to… we've put this list together of:

The Most Important Things to Look for when Buying your Very First Sex Toy!

Simplicity

This is key. Often times, people will come into the store armed with whatever vibrator knowledge they could dig up. Sex toys are a big investment, some have a lot of bells and whistles, and can sometimes be too intense for first-timers. So! Keep it simple.

Remember: Expensive vibes are not an indication of orgasmability — they’re just an indication that they cost a lot to make!

Material/Texture

This is important both for your pleasure and for your health! The main choices of material available to you are hard plastic, silicone, skin-like, elastomer, TPR/TPE, glass, acrylic, stainless steel and the many variations on jelly rubber.

Versatility

If you’re buying your first sex toy, then chances are you don’t know what exactly you want from a sex toy! So try and find one that gives you the most options.

Aesthetic Appeal

Find something that you like the looks of! If you have a sex toy you think is pretty or cool or sleek, you’re more likely to pick it up and use it.

Dildos

While they might seem almost quaint in comparison to all the vibrating, high-tech, action-packed toys available now, dildos remain a classic that plenty of women and even more men are super into. If you’re looking for the feeling of penetration that’s closest to a real penis, dildos are the way to go. They come in a variety of shapes, lengths, and widths, so take those into account when you’re shopping (some women may find that slightly curved ones are better at getting them off, since they’ll give your clit and G-spot more direct action), and consider using them both vaginally and anally.

Butt Plugs

Consider butt plugs your introduction to anal play. Anal toys are popular with women even though they have no prostate or nerves to directly cause orgasm within the anus, they can be a huge mental turn-on, a beginner, start with a shower and get clean beforehand, and then have your partner stimulate you with his fingers—or tongue, if he’s adventurous—before inserting a plug, vibrator, or beads.

Vibrators

These should be your go-to sex toy, for solo and couple’s play. I suggest that women have a variety of vibrators—different shapes, sizes, and types of stimulators to match their mood and whatever sensation they’re looking for at that moment. Sometimes you might want a big, vibrating dildo that you can thrust at your own tempo, and other times you might want to use a vibrating butt plug. It’s women’s responsibility to find what does it for them and be sexually vulnerable. Sex toys tend to predictably bring women to orgasm, so go ahead and use them!

Clitoral Massagers

For women who have a tough time coming from other sex toys (or partners, even) a vibrator that focuses purely on stimulating the most sensitive part of your vagina could be the silver bullet. Use your clitoral massager while being thrusted; use it afterward when you’re swollen and he’s fallen asleep; let him or her see you using it so it becomes a couple activity.

Anal Beads

Slightly different from butt plugs in that they insert one individual bead at a time, rather than smoothly and gradually like a plug, anal beads provide a pop feeling with each larger size that goes in. And while any sort of anal toy and play will help prep you for actual anal sex, butt plugs might be a bit more similar to how that will feel.

Male Sex Toys

Cock Rings

Basically, cock rings are a ring that you put on an erect or semi-erect penis, for the most part around the base of the shaft.

Masturbators

One of the most common forms of male sex toys are the masturbators. Ranging from full scale blow ups with realistic features, silicone, warming devices and moveable arms, to your standard blow up devices, to your palmers and jerk off assistance toys.

Love Dolls

The love dolls can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. They can quarter moulds (just of the pelvic region), half moulds (toes to waist), three quarter moulds (toes to shoulder) or even full moulds.

Cock Pumps

Penis pumps are designed for two primary purposes; the first being penis enlargement and the second being for helping with erectile dysfunction.

Anal Play

Regardless of sexuality anal play can be the most intense form of stimulation for a guy. In today’s day and age more and more men are getting into anal play – no longer is it considered gay and dirty and any people that still believe that are not idiotic but also missing out on some fantastic opportunities. Sure, gay men are still the biggest players in anal sex and play – however there are a lot of healthy straight married guys that still love anal play and that can include anything from a finger, to plugs, vibrators or even letting their wives use strap ons.

Butt Plugs

Butt plugs are an easy and effective way to provide prostate stimulation and they can come in two forms; your standard butt plug shape, or with a slight curve for intense prostate stimulation. Butt plugs can be used whilst having sex, or as a precursor for more intense anal play.

Fleshlights

The world's number one male sex toy, the Fleshlight, is a high quality masturbator that gets its name from its discreet, torchlight style packaging.