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"It feels like receiving cunnilingus from the person who freaking invented it." Vaginas

A rose is more than a Valentine's Day souvenir or Bachelor advancement token. It’s also the muse behind the latest sex toy to take over TikTok: The Rose Clitoral Suction Stimulator.

No doubt, TikTok is a decent place for meal prep ideas, van makeover inspo, and fitness routines… but sex toy recommendations? Actually, yes. TikTok may not allow “explicit” mentions of sex to populate your feed, but many a pleasure seeker have loved the rose sex toy so much that they’ve found savvy ways to wax poetic about the toy on the platform—just search #TheRoseToy or #TheRoseReview to see for yourself.

So, does the sex toy in question live up to the hype? After taking the rose vibrator to bed, I can assure you that the short answer is yes. And the long answer is also yes.

Below, learn more about the sex toy that’s racking up views on views on TikTok, including where to buy this oral sex simulator and exactly how to use it to maximize pleasure.

Meet the Experts: Lisa Finn is a sex educator and marketing director for sex toy retailer Babeland. Javay Frye-Nekrasova, MEd, is a Bend, Oregon-based sex educator commonly known as the Millennial Sexpert on Instagram.

What is the rose sex toy, exactly?

Manufactured by sex toy euphorium Lovehoney, the Rose is shaped like, well, a decapitated rose. About three inches tall and seven inches round, this fist-sized vibrator is designed to be nestled into your palm while you self-pleasure—or bone your boo (dealer’s choice!).

What you might not see at first glance, though, is a pinky-sized hole at the center of the velvety-soft silicone petals that make up the vibrator’s body. The hole shoots out something called “pleasure air” that’s basically designed to make your clit or nipple feel like it’s being enveloped by a mouth. In other words, this neat little toy delivers oral sex on demand.

Worth noting: While the Lovehoney Rose is one of the rose sex toys featured in TikTok videos, it’s not the only rose-shaped sex toy on the market. Other rose-shaped sex toys that pack a pleasure-punch include the INYA Rose Clitoral Stimulator, the Bloomgasm Wild Rose Clitoral Stimulator, and the Gossip Cum Into Bloom Rose Air Pulse Rechargeable Stimulator.

On TikTok and in online reviews, the Rose is sometimes called a vibrator. But the Lovehoney Rose isn’t a vibrator—it’s a clit suction toy. Rather than using vibration to stimulate your special bits like the majority of sex toys on the market, the Rose uses something called pleasure air technology to tease and tantalize. “The air creates a targeted, pin-pointed sensation on the external portion of the clitoris,” explains Lisa Finn, a sex educator with Babeland, a sex toy retailer that sells a number of rose-shaped toys.

Personally, I think it feels like receiving cunnilingus from the person who freaking invented it. “While it is common for people who already enjoy oral sex to like toys with suction/pleasure air, the rose sex toy isn’t just for people who already known they enjoy oral sex,” says certified sex educator Javay Frye-Nekrasova, MEd, a Bend, Oregon-based sex educator. The product is also perfect for anyone interested in trying a new sensation, as well as those who haven’t received oral sex before, she says.

“I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t tried out a suction or pleasure air toy before to give the rose sex toy a try,” says Frye-Nekrasova. Why? Put simply, because it will allow you to experience something totally new. “It will also allow you to experience a sensation like oral sex, even if you don’t have a partner.”

As its name implies, the rose sex toy really does look like a rose. This flower-inspired design is ideal for individuals who are specifically looking for a non-phallic toy (*raises hand*).

There are a number of reasons someone may not be interested in a phallic-shaped toy, according to Finn. Someone might feel uncomfortable with cock-like paraphernalia if they survived a sexual assault from someone with a penis, for example. Someone else may simply like to avoid penis-shaped toys because having something phallic that close to their genitals induces gender dysphoria or sexuality-based shame—or maybe, it just simply isn’t aligned with their attractions. For these folks, a skin-toned dildo or vibrator textured like an (un)circumcised penis are probably going to be a turn-off. A rose, on the other hand, could provide a neutral source of arousal.

Ultimately, “not everyone is attracted to certain types of genitals, and some folks aren’t attracted to the look of any genitals at all,” Finn says. “For those who just don’t want to see something that looks like a piece of someone’s body, a rose-shaped toy is going to be a more comfortable experience.”

What are the unique benefits of the rose sex toy?

The non-suggestive shape of the rose sex toy makes it ideal for people who are just dipping their toe (er, clit?) into the wonderful world of masturbation or sex toys. “The shape could also make the toy feel less taboo,” says Finn. “A rose is something pretty— it doesn’t necessarily evoke the sort of suggestive ideas that a body part does.”

Shape aside, the intuitive design and price point of the product also make it ideal for sex toy beginners. Unlike many luxury sex toys that are covered in buttons, the Rose has just two. The bottom button turns the toy on and off, while the top button allows you to cycle through the 10 different intensity levels. As a person who has robbed myself of countless Os by pressing the wrong button at what was supposed to be the “right” time, I’m thrilled there’s very little risk of user error with this toy.

Most of the variations of the rose sex toy are priced reasonably, which allows people to explore the sensations of clit suction without emptying their bank account. Case in point: Lovehoney’s version costs just $49.99, and all the aforementioned versions are all under $65. (If you want a super budget-friendly option, consider buying from Amazon, where you’ll find rose sex toys for under $30.00).

Where does the rose sex toy fall flat?

Hate to break it to you, but there is no such thing as a universally pleasurable sex toy! After all, everyone has different sexual needs and preferences. So, while the rose sex toy is garnering a lot of love online, it may not work for you—and that’s okay.

Because this toy is designed for external use only, for example, it may not get the job done for people who need vaginal or anal penetration to scream, squeal, or squirt with pleasure. Further, some people may find the cartoon-esque shape distracting rather than delightful.

My only rub with the rose is that it’s pretty darn intense… almost too intense for me, personally. Because my clit is super sensitive, I've found this to be a common issue with certain sex toys. Getting good and turned on before pressing the rose right against my bud (yay, foreplay!) helped make the experience more enjoyable. I also enjoyed it more in the water than “on land.” Of course, if you’re less sensitive than I am, this probably won’t be an issue.

Here’s exactly how to use the sex toy, per experts:

There is no wrong way to use a sex toy, so long as what you’re doing feels good, you’re using it correctly. (One notable exception: Don’t put anything up your butt unless it has a flared base). Still, these six tips can help you get the most pleasure out of the rose sex toy.

1. Charge it after every use.

The Lovehoney Rose sex toy has a runtime of 65 minutes. This is a decent amount of time… but nothing is worse than your toy crapping out on you before you climax. My recommendation: Set yourself up for sexual success by charging it after every use.

Yep, this baby is totally waterproof. “Take your Rose along with you during your shower or bath for a wet and wild time,” suggests Frye-Nekrasova.

Bath time play could be especially pleasurable for people with sensitive clits. The water helps dispel some of the intensity, making it a more subtle sensation. The more you know!

3. Combine it with penetrative play.

The rose itself cannot be inserted into your vaginal or anal canal. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add in penetration in other ways while using this toy.

“You might hold the rose toy against your clit at an angle that leaves your vaginal canal accessible” to a penis, dildo, or fingers, suggests Finn.

You could also get on all fours and hold the rose against your clit while your partner enters your anus or vagina with their penis (or dildo) from behind. Another option: Have them slowly insert and remove a string of anal beads from your third eye when you get close.

Lube has the power to enhance all of your sexual experiences, and that includes your sexual experiences with the rose sex toy.

Applying lube to your genitals, as well as to the mouth of the toy, will help the toy “seal” against the body so that the movement of the air in the toy stays targeted, says Finn. “It will also help to prevent irritation from the suction against the skin, especially when used on a higher setting.”

Important: Make sure it’s water-based lube. Silicone-based lubricants can’t be used with silicone toys like the rose, because silicone sticks to itself. A silicone-based lube can degrade the integrity of the toy’s material, as well as mess with its shape, says Finn. Not ideal.

5. Use it all over the body.

“Though it’s called a clitoral suction toy, that’s not the only place it can be used,” says Finn. “Try using it on nipples, on the frenulum of the penis (that’s a hot-spot right below the head on the underside of the penis), or on any other sensitive erogenous zones,” they say. If you insist…

6. Add in some temperature play.

“You can also enhance your experiences with the Rose by adding in some temperature play,” says Frye-Nekrasova. “Caress your body with an ice cube before using the Rose, or use warming or tingling lube,” she suggests. Hot, hot, hot indeed.

Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a sex and wellness journalist who writes at the intersection of queerness, sexual health, and pleasure. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Men’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called  

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