From HelloBeautiful.com

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Sometimes the hygienic things we’re told to do down there are in reality not good for our vaginal health. Here’s five things that you should avoid doing to your private parts:

1. Use Soaps With Parabens
We first want to point out that “cleaning” down there doesn’t need to be a huge process. Using harsh soaps and cleansers can disrupt your vagina’s pH level (which is naturally acidic) and cause irritation and discomfort. The vagina is a self-cleaning part of the body that does a great job at keeping things regulated.

That being said, sometimes you do want to freshen up down there. If you feel the need, just make sure the product you use is mild and paraben-free, like these Afterglow Freshening Wipes. Why paraben-free? Here’s the low-down:

For four more below-the-belt tips, visit HelloBeautiful.com.

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Who knew that some of the hottest and steamiest sexual pleasures are right at our fingertips? For some of us who are too shy to head to the sex store or just too lazy, Ivillage shares some everyday items that can give you instant pleasure right in the comfort of your own home. Read it here…

Creeping into a sex shop hoping no one sees you while you pick out a few toys may no longer be necessary if the entrepreneurs behind Screaming O have their way.

In late 2009, Walgreens signed a licensing deal to sell one of the company’s brands in 7,000 drugstores and the products, with bright, explicit packaging, are also sold on Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, and RiteAid.com. But now the manufacturer wants their products to have wider mainstream distribution with a new line of items in their Studio Collection that hides sex toys in lipsticks and eye shadow and face powder containers, according to a Bloomberg report.

“We stand right at the edge, says Justin Ross, one of the founders of Screaming O. “We want to market and brand ourselves as a company that sells fun without becoming so demure” that customers overlook the products.

Ross and his partner, Keith Caggiano hope the new collection will appeal to merchandising managers at big-box retailers which includes drugstores and other large chains like Target, Kmart, Walmart, and Costco. Unphased by increasing competition and a risqué proposition, the partners are convinced they have a product people want to see on their local store shelves. “When people see our brand, the barriers go down and we melt their defenses,” says Caggiano, who developed the company’s online advertising and offline promotions. “We want to find a way to help people be comfortable with themselves and their sexuality.”

Still the name Screaming O hardly leaves much to the imagination, and the “high-quality materials and stylish designs” that the duo says justify a higher price point for their products doesn’t quite coincide with the discount, budget-friendly pricing that is typical of big-box stores.

Nevertheless, Caggiano says, “Our brand has the potential to make a space for itself in pop culture.”

Pop culture maybe. But a pop-up stand inside of a drug store? I’m not so sure.

Have you come across Screaming O’s products in your local Walgreens? Do you think selling sex toys in big chain stores is a good idea or inappropriate?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Ever borrowed a shirt from a friend? What about a skirt? A clutch? All perfectly normal things that girlfriends sometimes share. Well, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal likes to share too, but she likes to share her sex toys. Yep. You read that right. Maggie Gyllenhaal “lends” her friends vibrators. You see, Maggie has a movie called Hysteria that chronicles the advent of the vibrator (an 1800′s invention, might I add) and during filming, several retailers sent her vibrators.

Not one to be selfish, Mags decided to share the wealth. Here’s what she had to say:

By the time I finished the movie I’d been sent maybe 15 vibrators by different people in London with vibrator stores. It was a pleasant surprise. So I have this incredible collection, and I actually use like one or two of them. I lend them to my friends, and they’ll take them for six months at a time.

Say huh, say what? We totally understand GIVING your girls your extra, unused toys, but lending? Nah. Let’s not do that. Ever.

Have you ever had a girlfriend try to borrow something that was off-limits? What about someone offering to lend you something that was a no-go?

[Source]

The Real Housewives franchise from Bravo TV has certainly helped launch the entrepreneurial careers of more than half of its starlets.

So whose the next member to launch? Kandi Burress, the singer/songwriter/single mother featured on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Viewers got to see a sensual side of Burress as she hosted her online web series, Kandi Koated Nights, as shown on the reality show. Now, the songstress is taking it to the next level with the launch of a sex toy line. Bravo cameras were on hand yesterday to film the launch party in New York city, where she introduced her new venture.

No doubt, sales of Burress’ business will be generously helped by Bravo’s support, as it has done with so many others. Bettheny Frankel is by far the most successful entrepreneur in Housewives history, having sold her Skinny Girl Margarita for an estimated $100 million. Fellow Atlanta housewife Kim Zolciak is copping a wig line.

Every long-term relationship reaches a point where real life starts to take over, and soon the only thing getting hot and heavy in the bedroom may be your Yorkie Poo and panda PillowPet.  When you’re no longer locked into passionate lust and infatuation, sex may become scheduled and lack luster and you can find yourself writhing and moaning  “ooohs” “aaahs” and “don’t stop’s” before suddenly realizing that you’re not really enjoying what’s happening, but simply going to through the motions.

The great thing about sex is that it doesn’t take much to turn up the temperature and the following tips should have you and your partner working up a sweat in no time:

Are you getting enough sex? If the answer is no, then you aren’t alone; a 2008 Durex survey found that only 53% of Americans were having weekly sex. If you’d like to get it popping more often, here are some hints for dating and attached ladies to get their sex life going consistently:

Ever thought about spicing things up in the bedroom with a little battery-operated fun? Don’t lie, you know you did. Well, Madame Noire has information for Madames who want a little naughty action with adult toys.

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