Three things I wish I knew before buying my first toy
I made every beginner mistake — wrong order, wrong materials, overspending. Here’s what I’d tell past-me on day one.
My first toy purchase was a small disaster, and not in a fun way. I want to walk you through the three things that would have saved past-me money, frustration, and one genuinely uncomfortable evening.
1. Buy lube before you buy a toy
I expected lube to be optional — a "nice to have," not a "the toy literally does not work right without it." My first session without enough of it was the kind of thing that makes you quietly conclude the toy is bad and the hobby isn’t for you. It wasn’t the toy. Get a water-based one (safe with everything), keep it on the nightstand, and use more than you think you need. This single thing fixes the majority of "I didn’t enjoy it" stories.
The one I actually recommend. Boring choice, right answer.
Sliquid H2O Original
Water-based, glycerin-free, paraben-free. Safe with every toy material. The default pick.
2. Cheap is fine to start. Body-safe is not optional.
I assumed price tracked quality and safety. It doesn’t. My first toy was a soft "jelly" thing that, I later learned, was the exact porous TPE/PVC material everyone warns about. You do not need a $200 toy to learn what you like — but it must be silicone, glass, or stainless steel. That part is non-negotiable; the price part isn’t.
Tenga Egg (6-pack)
Disposable solo strokers with six different internal textures. Genuinely cheap way to try variety.
3. Curiosity is a feature, not a bug
The thing I most wish someone had told me: being curious about something is a good enough reason to try a low-stakes version of it. I sat on "I wonder about…" for way too long out of some vague embarrassment. A beginner trainer set is a far gentler intro than diving in cold, and nobody is grading you.
Doc Johnson Mood Naughty 2
Three-piece silicone anal training set. The kit I recommend to anyone curious.
None of these are exciting tips. They’re just the three things that, in hindsight, separated "this is great" from "this isn’t for me" — and they’re all decided before the toy even arrives.
Compare the picks in this post
| Product | Price | Rating | Retailer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sliquid H2O OriginalWater-based, glycerin-free, paraben-free. Safe with every toy material. The default pick. | $12 | 4.7/5 | PinkCherry | Check price |
Tenga Egg (6-pack)Disposable solo strokers with six different internal textures. Genuinely cheap way to try variety. | $36 | 4/5 | PinkCherry | Check price |
Doc Johnson Mood Naughty 2Three-piece silicone anal training set. The kit I recommend to anyone curious. | $32 | 4.3/5 | PinkCherry | Check price |
Products mentioned
Sliquid H2O Original
Water-based, glycerin-free, paraben-free. Safe with every toy material. The default pick.
Tenga Egg (6-pack)
Disposable solo strokers with six different internal textures. Genuinely cheap way to try variety.
Doc Johnson Mood Naughty 2
Three-piece silicone anal training set. The kit I recommend to anyone curious.
