I’m going to keep it real with you: I don’t *love* receiving oral sex. I love giving it, and I’ve certainly been with partners who were skilled in that department, but frankly, tongue-to-vulva action has never done it for me. I appreciate the intimacy involved with cunnilingus, but historically, it’s simply been a precursor to penetrative sex, a slippery warm-up for bigger, better climaxes to come, if you get me. The tongue is supposed to be the strongest muscle in the human body, and yet, it never seems to provide the pressure and sensation I need to get off.
My personal take on oral—or, at least, the mechanics of it—might have shifted, though, after trying the new Zalo Eve Oral Pleasure Vibrator ($99). This wand mimics the tongue-flicking action of oral sex and even has a heating function to replicate the temperature of a human tongue. Made of super-soft food-grade silicone, it’s waterproof, rechargeable, touts two hours of uninterrupted play, and is built for both external *and* internal stimulation.
Read on to hear my full and honest review, plus sexpert-backed tips on how to make tongue-flicking toys feel even more delicious.
My first impressions of the Zalo Eve
This thing is powerful. So powerful, in fact, that when I first turned it on, the movement shocked me and I dropped it on my hardwood floors, causing a loud as f*ck BRRR! noise to echo throughout my apartment.
Once I got a good grip of it, though, I was able to see with my own eyes how unique the vibration pattern was. I’ve played with many clitoral-flicking toys before; years ago I worked at an adult toy boutique and got first dibs on the latest and greatest toys to hit our shelves. Clitoral flickers usually are built with a very small piece of flat silicone that moves in an isolated left-to-right or up-and-down motion. The Eve, however, has two motors—one in the center and one in the tip—that allow it to move in an exaggerated circular pattern, fluidly moving and flicking in every direction.
As far as texture and feel go, this toy is buttery soft. The shape indeed mimics a long tongue, with a tapered tip that tips slightly upward. This toy is pretty, too; the handle is gilded with gold plating on the handle, adding to the luxury vibe that Zalo is known for.
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When trying it out for the first time, I found that the six different vibration modes and heating feature amplified the realistic feel of oral, but provided a powerful force that a human tongue could *never* live up to. Internally, the Zalo Eve’s flicking movements sent deep waves of pleasure, hitting all the right places (my G-Spot, specifically). Externally, though, is where this wand shines. The tapered tip combined with the circular motion provided other-worldly clitoral sensations that had me cumming in mere minutes.
Even after getting my first big ‘O’, it was clear to me that this toy has a bit of a learning curve. I tapped author, public speaker, and sex and relationship expert Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD, (aka, Dr. Tara) to get some sexpert advice on how to best handle it. Ahead are three tips to heighten your experience with the Zalo Eve (or any tongue-flicking simulator, really).
Tips on how to use the Zalo Eve
1. Lube up
In order to get the full oral sex effect, Dr. Tara recommends using plenty of lube on yourself and the toy. The wetter the better, so to speak. Proper lubrication will allow the tip of the toy to flick smoothly across your clitoris, better mimicking a tongue.
“If it feels dry, that’s not like real life,” says Dr. Tara. “When someone licks your clitoris, it’s wet, so I would recommend using lube.” The Zalo Eve is made of food-grade silicone, which Dr. Tara says is a fantastic choice for replicating the softness of human skin. “It feels smoother than plastic or metal, and it’s softer on the clitoris,” says Dr. Tara.
Because it’s made of silicone, however, it’s important to stray away from silicone-based lubricants, per the Zalo website. Silicone lubricant will degrade silicone, damaging the material over time.
2. Get a good grip
Because the Zalo Eve has a super powerful motor and delivers tons of movement, be sure to have a strong grip while using it. Firmly grasping it with your dominant hand will help you direct the motion of the tip to where you want it to go, and allow the bulk of the movement to course through to the end of the tip, rather than redirect toward the handle.
If using it vaginally, try doing a kegel—squeezing and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. This feels ahhh-mazing and amplifies the sensations that the circular motion provides.
3. Spread out
To better target the clitoris, be sure to spread your labia apart fully with the hand you’re not using to hold the toy with. The tip of the Zalo Eve wand is much smaller than, say, a vibrator wand, so fully exposing the clitoris will enhance the amount of contact it gets with the toy.
If you’re still having some difficulty making direct contact with your clitoris, Dr. Tara says you can use a mirror to get a clearer picture of where the tip should go. “If you’re using this tongue-flicking-like motion the first time, you can try looking at it in the mirror,” says Dr. Tara, who shares that she herself has used oral sex simulators before. ”I sit in front of a mirror with my legs open, and I use it and look at it, and try to feel it in my body, where it feels good.”
My final thoughts on the Zalo Eve
While nothing on planet earth can replicate the sensation of being tasted by your S.O., this toy *definitely* rivals the tongue skills of even the most seasoned head-givers. I came hard within five minutes, and that’s never happened for me with oral alone.
Whether you’re already a huge fan of cunnilingus or—like me—could take it or leave it, the Zalo Eve delivers a one-of-a-kind orgasm that’s well worth the $99 price tag.
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