Note
While discussions of sex often link vaginas to womenhood, we know this is not the case. ‘Female’ is not indicative of gender, and in this article is used to refer to anyone who owns a vagina or clitoris (and is in need of a good buzz).
The sex toy industry is overrun with companies owned by men. Estimates suggest that 70-90% of all companies specialising in sex products are run by them, which is ridiculous considering that men have a long history of ignoring female pleasure. Companies such as Naked Grapefruit are changing this narrative, refocusing the conversation from misguided phallic shapes onto clitorises.
Anyone with a vagina might easily tell you that sexual pleasure is not centred entirely within the realms of penetration. Indeed, a recent study suggests that 36.6% of females require clitoral stimulation to cum during penetrative sex. Some 36% of respondents said that they achieve better orgasms with clitoral stimulation, and 9% said that they don’t orgasm during penetration at all.
Yikes. Better get rubbing that clit.
Assuming that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, most sex toys just used to look like dismembered members. Yet while penises might not be broken, there is certainly more that can be done to pleasure a vagina.
But this isn’t news, most people nowadays have heard of the mystical clit and all that it can achieve. Many people even own colourful and functional vibrators. However some still see female pleasure as a taboo subject.
Here enters Naked Grapefruit
Naked Grapefruit is a sex toy company with a delightfully refreshing message. Not only have they got an absolute winner of a vibrator, they take sex positivity to a whole new level. Their aim is to normalise female pleasure and de-stigmatise common sexual topics.
Vic, the founder, strives to encourage people with vaginas to centre their own pleasure in their sex lives.
“Naked Grapefruit was essentially borne out of conversations with friends whereby our sex lives didn’t revolve around our own pleasure. I realised how fucked up this was and wanted to do something about it, Naked Grapefruit is the manifestation of that.” Vic, founder of Naked Grapefruit
This message clearly has resonated with a lot of people, which shows just how much people needed to hear that they are allowed to reclaim selfish sex.
“[The response] has been absolutely incredible,” she told us. “It’s grown so much quicker that I had anticipated and just seems to really resonate with most women who see it, I couldn’t ask for more.”
Naked Grapefruit teaches that centring yourself during sex is not a bad thing, especially if you (like many others) have a history of putting your partner’s needs above your own.
WHAT WOULD VIC TELL HER 15 YEAR OLD SELF ABOUT SEX? “IT SHOULD BE ENJOYABLE AND IT’LL GET A LOT BETTER ONCE YOU DISCOVER YOUR CLIT.”
The naked truth
The best thing about Naked Grapefruit is the incredibly insightful array of resources on their website. Often in blog-post format, many contributors have delved into overlooked sexual topics. Their website and social media accounts send out a clear message: love yourself through loving yourself. Masturbation as a form of self-care.
In addition, more serious topics are also covered, such as unlearning sexual self-hate developed from a conservative religious upbringing and self-love after sexual trauma. When asked about these articles, Vic was amazed at the lack of resources. “I’ve no idea why no one has done work on it. It’s clearly so important and, judging by the reaction, necessary too,” she explained.
Masturbation isn’t just about getting off. It’s about understanding yourself, knowing what makes you tick in that way, becoming comfortable with your sexuality on a more general scale.
Learning to love sex again after sexual trauma can be scary. It might often be something that you don’t actively think about at all, being brushed aside to just ‘get over’ what happened. Even so, it is important to do and can be empowering to take control of your sexual pleasure in a world where femme submissiveness is demanded.
All these messages are important for everyone to hear. Naked Grapefruit are getting them out there in a comforting, familiar and non-threatening way. Essentially saying ‘here’s why you should love yourself, babe, from someone who knows how you feel’.
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR BEST ORGASM? YEAH I DO ACTUALLY, I WAS TRAVELLING IN JAPAN WITH MY FRIEND. SHE WANTED TO GET A VIBRATOR AS HER OLDER BOYFRIEND HAD MENTIONED IT SO I THOUGHT, WHY NOT AND GOT ONE TOO. I WENT BACK TO MY HOTEL AND TRIED IT AND WOW. IT WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A VIBE AND IT WAS SO GOOD THAT I ACTUALLY ENDED UP MISSING MY FLIGHT BACK TO THE UK AFTERWARDS, OOPS. MY FIRST ORGASM WITH FIRST BASE COMES A VERY VERY CLOSE SECOND THO.
“Too loud, too much, too graphic”
“Too loud, too much, too graphic”. These are all comments made by news outlets, proudly emblazoned on the Naked Grapefruit website. Clearly, shouting about the importance of self-love and sexual pleasure is something the press wants to avoid at all costs. Unsurprising, really.
What they should be shouting about is First Base, Naked Grapefruit’s first sex toy. It’s a bullet vibrator that packs a powerful punch, earning 177 five-star reviews out of 178 total. Now that’s impressive.
Not only does it feature 7 different speeds and settings, it has a rechargeable battery too. So it’s good for your coochie and the planet.
And the ethics of First Base don’t stop there. When researching how to make a top-notch vibrator, Vic discovered that many companies get away with using harmful substances like phthalates in their sex toys. While the risks of phthalates in humans are pretty under researched, it’s safe to say that avoiding them is a good idea.
Even more excitingly, Vic told us that there are more toys in the works, so First Base might have a friend very soon.
First Base, Naked Grapefruit’s bullet vibrator
The big finish
Naked Grapefruit is a fantastic company with a powerful message (and vibrator). Whether you’re looking to spice up your sex life, discover your clit, or just want to learn about why enjoying choking can still be feminist, they’ve got what you’re after.
Check out their Instagram page to keep up-to-date with each new sexual revelation as it comes your way, and for stellar conversation topics that fight the patriarchy. For example, their stories often feature engaging and informative questions, which often get answered by followers in open and funny ways.
Discover more from our candid convos about sex, relationships and identity in our Segments and Peeled section.
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