Spotlight on Community Partner This month, SWAN talked to sexual health educator, sex work activist and dominatrix Velvet Steele and asked her about lube.

For PDF click for download Summer 2014 SWANzine

Ever wondered how to get that lube up there, whether it’s a trip n the back woods or the front garden? The Lubricant Launcher makes short work of that! Very popular this one handed usable device has a 4.75″ insertable depth and an overall length of 7.5″. It gets in there and is for use in both orifices with your choice of lube. Having said that be careful of the consistency, it can run out of the tip before you’ve even begun to shoot to the depths of pleasurable return. The choice of colours runs from smoke to pink, blue, and red and are available in a one shot applicator or three. There is a latex cap to place over the tip once loaded in preparation for use at a later time. It is a plastic if that matters, but for me, I have to tell you,

SHOOT ME UP!!!

Billed as a “Natural Moisturizing Lubricant” from the makers at Blossom Organics it truly is a product made for the discerning female user. I can honestly say I love this, and given my situation in life that speaks VOLUMES! Starting with the packaging you have a pretty purple/lavender on white box with a tube inside that translates the same appearance. It is simple and basic, something I like when it comes to lubricant presentation. When you squeeze it from the tube you’re met with a clear ,colourless, odourless lotion, that borders on a liquid-like consistency for easy application, that stays put. It is also palatable, and since I like to “taste” I like the fact that I am not met with some foul tasting, over sugared concoction messing with my tastebuds! I want to taste you not the lotion! It’s PH balanced to mimic the natural flora of a woman and formulated in a water and aloe vera base free of parabens, and glycerin. Not only that, it is also free of petroleum, silicones, alcohol, hormones, artificial fragrances, dyes or flavourings. Made with organic ingredients it is compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms and gentle enough for daily use of dryness. A little dab will do you, but don’t be shy, to re-apply, if required!

Ingredients; Organic aloe barbadensis leaf extract, sorbitol, hydroxyethylcellulose, allantoin, lactic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E), potassium sorbate, organic stevia rebaudiana extract, hyaluronic acid, organic paeonia albiflora (peony) root extract, organic passiflora incarnate flower extract.

Liquid Silk is a water based lubricant created for use with intimate massage, foreplay, and sexual intercourse. Manufactured in the UK under the strictest conditions to meet all health and safety guidelines, it is shipped sealed for your protection complete with a Bin Number and Best Before date ensuring a quality product. It’s even palatable, so no more tongue wiping and funny faces from an unpleasant taste that lingers a little to long. It even makes a great skin conditioner aside from being fun to use is loved by both sexes, used by many couples. However for those that are health conscious and those fast becoming, it does contain all the parabens that many are now trying to avoid in their product ingredients. I can tell you that it does work, and is truly a silk against your skin, but  the choice to use is your’s if you don’t mind the ingredients. If your curious, the folks at Environmental Working Group have provided an extensive list of ingredients used in consumer products along with their definitions. A resource I highly recommend. Ingredients; Highly Purified water, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl, Palmitate, Dimethicone, Cellulose Polymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerol Stearate NSE, B.N.P.D., Di Sodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Paraben, Butyl Paraben, Ethyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, BHT.