Em Odesser (she/her) is a writer, feminist, and sex educator. Her work revolves around the intersection of sex, history, and technology. You can read her work at emilyodesser.com and connect at @emilyodesser on Instagram.
In 2015, viewers of the iconically raunchy comedy “Broad City” were introduced to a fictional, but fascinating sex toy. Pale green and perfectly textured with bubble-y ridges throughout, the Shinjo dildo was the centerpiece of the episode -- and though it was eventually ruined after a run through a dishwasher (rookie mistake!), it was a pivotal moment in pop culture. It was the toy that launched a thousand gifs, and one of the best and most mainstream references to a pleasure product in a sitcom. And though the Shinjo was created by the prop department at Comedy Central and is a fairly old reference to make in 2021, the appeal of a luxury insertable sex toy designed with that beautiful, bubble-y texture still stands today. That’s one of the many reasons I was so excited about the new exclusive Lovers drop of the Fun Factory Semilino (which has, BTW, no real relation to the show -- I just couldn’t resist the reference.)
As far as vibrators go, the Fun Factory Semilino is as unique as it’s pleasurable. The texture is like few I’ve seen before. It’s a six inch vibrator, 3.5 inches of which are insertable, with little folds throughout, creating a series of ridges nearly every half centimeter. While it does have a phallic shape and size, the curvature, teal colorway, and accordion-esque texture lend a non-representational element that leaves a bit more to the imagination than a toy designed to imitate human genitalia. And it leads to an incredible experience, full of sensation: it feels amazing upon insertion, even before you turn it on. The folds are close together and nice and firm, so there’s nothing bumpy or strange about the experience: it’s more like a personal massager, providing an incredible amount of texture that intensifies the deeper you go. In fact, whether you choose to move the toy in and out or keep it in place, there’s plenty of sensation. The back edge of the toy is untextured, so you can alternate between bumpy and smooth as the toy’s inside of you, turning it around to stimulate all ends of the most sensitive part of the human body -- the clitoris, specifically, the internal clitoris. Though vibration and consistent stimulation alone are enough to catalyze arousal, the curved, round head of the Semilino is perfect to reach the G-spot (the ridged area 2-3 inches towards the front of the vaginal canal) and the A-spot (towards the top and back of the vaginal wall, near your cervix): for such a little sex toy, it packs a lot of power and versatility.
Shop the Lovers x Fun Factory Exclusive
The Semilino is also a pretty intuitive sex toy. The base has three easy-to-work buttons - one to turn it on, and two to control the speed. There are six different modes of vibration, and, like most Fun Factory toys, there’s a powerful motor within, that lends to a range of intensities. And there’s something very luxe about the experience (another Fun Factory signature): their vibes tend to have the perfect balance to them -- they have a nice weight and density, and they’re firm, without being too stiff.
Finally, it’s pretty versatile. I’d recommend this vibrator to anyone who’s a fan of clit stimulation. I wouldn’t recommend it for anal use, because there’s no flared base to prevent it from getting lost. But the shape, texture, and vibrations are fantastic for squirters, or anyone trying to become one. Squirting usually occurs after the clitoris is stimulated, usually alternating between internal and external stimulation. Vibration definitely helps this process, and the Semilino definitely delivers in that regard. It’s also great to pair with an external vibrator, like a wand, or an pulsator toy -- or even a toy that is safe for anal use, like beads or a plug. Because of the relatively small size of the Semilino, it’s also a pretty good toy for beginners, or people who are interested in minimizing pain from penetration -- there are no guarantees of course, but it doesn’t go very deep, and at 1.3 inches wide wide, it's not among the girthiest of vibrators, even in Lovers personal stock. Overall though, anyone with a vagina can benefit because the focus isn’t to fill you the way a larger internal toy would, it’s to stimulate all areas of the vagina. Finally, lifestyle wise, it isn’t harness compatible, but is still great to use with a partner.
Because the Semilino is so small, it’s a portable sex toy, with a travel lock for your convenience -- as summer continues and social reentry becomes more comfortable, this could be a great toy to use with a partner. As a bonus, the packaging actually has your back. After you unwrap the toy, there’s an instruction manual with flirting questions and sexy truth or dares, and the box itself has two, fill-it-out-yourself “Yes, No, Maybe” lists, with an adventurous list of activities you can try with the toy (independently or partnered). It’s a considerate and, well, inspiring list -- their ideas include using it outdoors (remember how I said it was portable?), bringing it in the tub (it’s also waterproof), and incorporating it into roleplay or kinky scenarios. I won’t spoil it too much. But after Covid, if you’re looking for a toy that comes with an inspirational element, this could be great for you.
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Further Reading
A Sex Educator Reviews Two Strokers: Lovers
A Sex Educator Reviews Three Rabbit Sex Toys: Lovers
Broad City Sex Toys That Say Yas Kween: Glamour
