More Women Product Reviews

Add some Zest to your night

Breaking out of my comfort, and embarrassed, zones, I decided to throw my name in the bucket for a chance to review the Zestra Essential Arousal Oils for More Women Product Reviews. When Grace sent me an email letting me I was selected as a reviewer, I recall sitting back in my chair, giggling somewhat nervously as I anticipated writing about the experience. It only took me until I was in my late 30's to discover the joys and pleasures of of sex toys.

I told my man we had something fun coming in the mail and he sighed resignedly, asked that I only write about the good stuff, and then expressed his mild concern about how the packaging would look when it was delivered. Was the mailwoman going to know we’re getting sex aids delivered, he asked? My guy? He’s a little conservative and prefers our bedroom antics remain private, and I try to respect that wish.

The Zestra folks were discreet, I’ll give them that. The plain brown mailer showed no indication of the steamy possibilities inside, just a nice return address with the manufacturer’s name.

One of the side affects from the early menopause that descended when I was 37, (yes 37, how's that for a kick in the sexual behind?) is the noticeable lack of libido. Or to be more precise, a wildly fluctuating libido that flips into sexual hyperactivity for a brief time then vanishes like it never existed for longer periods of time. It’s my very own Jekyll & Hyde or some weird sexual version of Schrödinger's cat, minus the radiation. There is also vaginal dryness that takes some time to overcome and really get me in the mood and can be somewhat discomforting. I don’t take hormonal supplements or use estrogen, natural or otherwise. So my husband and I find various ways to keep that fire freshly burning.

And now we can add Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to our palette.

I decided to try it solo first, a test drive so to speak. Some products my husband and I have tried caused irritation for either or both of us, so I went with the smaller application, using ½ the supplied foil packet. It wasn’t long, maybe 1 minutes, before I felt the warm tingling sensation mentioned as the Zestra Rush. And it was a rush! A warm, zippy feeling that spread and spread. Partnered with other stimulation the combination brought on another rush all it’s own! I didn’t time how long the effect of the Zestra Arousal Essential Oil lasted, as I was busy enjoying a couple of orgasms, but I don’t think it was as long as the 45 minutes, but I used ½ the packet, which may cut down on it’s effective time.

No one wants the full-on details, so I’ll sum up that Zestra Arousal Essential Oil really does work. It helped increase my sexual excitement, brought about more pleasureable sesnation and just made all my womanly parts tingly and happy. The increased arousal seemed to reduce the time it usually takes to overcome the slow libido effect of menopause. That right there would be a major selling point for me. I still experience those jump his bones urges, but it takes longer to get the body behind the emotional and mental parts of sex and that can sometimes be a huge downer.

I liked that the oil was slightly thicker than other lubricants and didn’t leave a slick slimy coating. The oils warmed and spread easily but not heavy, if that makes any sense to anyone besides myself. It was more like the gliding effect of naturally stimulated lubrication. The aroma was pleasant, not overpowering with added perfumes, just a light scent from the essential oils. I love that it is imade of natural ingredients and not a mouthful of multisylabic pharmaceutical terms. And it cleans up easily.

I’m sure every woman’s experience with Zestra Arousal Essential Oil will be a little different, but I’m thrilled that the oil brought on those warm happy tingles and plan on incorporating it into our bedside toybox!
In addition to contemplating my solo test driving of Zestra, you will be pleased to note:
That We're having a Zestra Essential Arousal Oils giveaway!

Check out the Zestra website.

Go to this postand leave a comment with a little factoid about Zestra such as -
"Zestra is safe, hormone-free, has no known drug interactions, and works in minutes."

We'll pick a comment by random and send a sample set of Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to the lucky commenter!

"Zestra is safe, hormone-free, has no known drug interactions, and works in minutes."

We'll pick a comment by random and send a sample set of Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to the lucky commenter!

Contest ends January 31, 2010.

A Zesty Enterprise Indeed!

I got to see the lovely Grace (I haven't seen her for like a year. or more!) at the BlogHer holiday party this year and LO! She offered to have some Zestra sent to me to try out and to review. Fun times.

I'm 35, have a 2 year old and take an SSRI. As usual I am having some conflicting emotions. Let me list them for you: 1. Hey, people! Stop trying to make money off my sex life! 2. Whoa, cool. I am glad someone is thinking anout women's sexual satisfaction. 3. I'm glad to see that someone is spending money on clinical trials of women's sex toys/products, making it mainstream and acceptable to talk about women's sexual satisfaction and making these products available to us.

4. Every time I think about this product I think of it as Olzestra. Like some combo of zesty and Olestra. So very much not what I want to be thinking about, EW! 

5. Damn! I am SO GLAD that this is not packaged in pink packaging!

There is one huge glaring problem with this product that I'll just get out of the way. It is oil based and there for not compatible with latex condoms. *blink* Really? Why must this be? After having a kid I never went back on birth control because I just felt icky about it and I'm really not brave enough to use the rhythm method and thusly use latex (my partners choice) condoms. Yeah, I know I could buy some polyurethane condoms, and probably will, but Vim's condom of choice is latex.

I snuck up on my partner, Vim, on New Year's Eve with a maniacal glint in my eye and waved a small Zestra packet in his face and saying, "Hey you up for some fun genital burning New Year's Eve sex?!" How could he say no?

I'm not into the smell, taste or name of this product and I was sad that it was not compatible with my birth control method of choice and it's a tad expensive. But definitely fun!

I've used heat up sex products before and was not wowed by them. Zestra went an extra step being both tingly and heated up. The product description is pretty accurate, after about 10 minutes you get the full zestyness. It's like that minty Altoids feeling but for your vajayjay. It was a pretty awesome tingly but also a bit like a mosquito bite you can't stop scratching (or in this case... er...hmmm... never mind). I enjoyed it and so did my partner and I will most likely purchase some even though the price tag is high. 4-5 dollars PER PACKET! COME ON! Guys get viagra though their insurance and condoms are cheap. Give a girl a break. I suggest they start putting this in pump dispensing bottles. Maybe that is a cheaper packaging solution.

You know when this product would be great to use? Those times when you WANT to WANT to have sex but are also feeling cranky or tired. When I feel that way I often think about how sex would make me feel way better, it's energizing! Applying some oil from this little packet is like that little extra push making it easier to do thing awesome for yourself.

I recommend trying this product. On the Zestra site you can order a trial 2 pack for just the price of postage.

Full Disclosure: This is an unpaid review. Reviewers were each given several sample packets of Zestra for testing purposes. No other compensation was received.

More Than They Bargained For

"It's a male myth about feminists
  that we hate sex.
 It can be a natural, zesty enterprise."

- Julianne Moore as Maude Lebowski
 in The Big Lebowski

Full Disclosure: This is an unpaid review. Reviewers were each given several sample packets of Zestra for testing purposes. No other compensation was received.

When the call went out for some dried up old biddies like me menopausal women who are too tired to have sex anymore experiencing a reduced sex drive to test drive Zestra Arousal Oils, I immediately threw my hat into the ring.

Zestra doesn't make you mix metaphors, I proudly accomplish that all on my own.

"Pick me! Pick me!" I pleaded. Not only am I menopausal, and a long-time user of anti-depressants, I have been taking prescription pain medication for about a year now to help with chronic back pain.

Anti-depressants, at least the ones that keep me up and walking around, can cause "reduced libido." Like menopause. They are like the anti-Viagra, making THAT little pill kind of a cruel joke for some of us, I imagine.

The pain medication side-effects warning speaks not of "reduced libido," but leaps all the way to "sexual dysfunction," as in, "I KNOW I had a clitoris here, somewhere. Did you check under the couch cushions? Maybe I left it at the library...hmmm."

So you see, I wanted to know if Zestra could help overcome (heh, heh) that last, rather large hurdle. I told Grace, "I still have sex with my husband for his sake, and it's nice enough, but it sure would be nice to want to again."

Alas, dear husband is in the throes of a bacterial bronchitis infection, so I tested Zestra on...a solo run, shall we say?

Application of the product is simple. It's a clear liquid, about the same viscosity as shampoo. The little sample packets tend to be a bit messy, a problem I feel is probably alleviated with dispensing from a normal container. The instructions say to massage the oil into the labia, clitoris, and surrounding area five minutes before commencing sexual activity.

Simple enough, though I imagine that having a partner do the application would make the experience part of the foreplay, and a bit more entertaining than oiling up one's own lady bits.

Once lubed, I went back to the extremely sexy activity of working on a 12X12 Sudoku puzzle. I know! Aren't you turned on just thinking about it? By this point, I decided I wanted to experience only the arousal that Zestra would provide. No dirty pictures for me, or passionate erotica by Anais Nin about the girl, and the artist, and....oh. Pardon me.

So! The Zestra. After a few minutes it started to get warm, or I did, I suppose, I don't think the Zestra changed temperature. And then, that was it, really.

I suspect the pain medication was more than it could handle. The makers of Zestra did clinical trials with women who used SSRI's, Select Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, the anti-depressants that so many of us benefit from, but at no point do they make claims regarding Zestra and the use of opiate-based pain medication.

I found that Zestra added a warm, pleasant feeling that would be beneficial in a lubricant for me, and I would recommend it on that basis, alone. Someday, I hope to no longer need pain medication for my back, at which point, I hope to be able to experience the Zestra tingle!

----------------------------

We're having a Zestra Essential Arousal Oils giveaway!

Check out the Zestra website.

Go to this post and leave a comment with a little factoid about Zestra such as -

"Zestra is safe, hormone-free, has no known drug interactions, and works in minutes."

We'll pick a comment by random and send a sample set of Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to the lucky commenter!

"Zestra is safe, hormone-free, has no known drug interactions, and works in minutes."

We'll pick a comment by random and send a sample set of Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to the lucky commenter!

Contest ends January 31, 2010.

----------------------------

 

Mary Wyatt lives and writes in Metro Detroit. Her blog, Unmitigated, can be found here. On-line, she selected the screen name Middle-Aged-Woman before it was actually true, a move she now sometimes regrets. She is proud to be a Zestra reviewer for More Women, and she firmly believes that "Blogger" does not begin with "Mommy."

Zestra Arrrousal Oil, or What I Did on my Christmas Vacation

Before I dive in, as they say, who came up with the name “Zestra?”  It sounds like a cross between a deodorant soap and that fake cooking product that must be consumed sparingly or else oil will leak out your butt.

Don’t get me wrong, because I’m totally buying stock in this stuff.  I’ve been trying to think of a better name, though.  “Cougar in a Can” doesn’t fit, because younger women will want this, too.   I also thought of “Viagra for the Vajajay,” but the stiffie/woodie imagery simply doesn’t fit.  They need to think of something that will convey “Champagne Melted Dark Chocolate Winning the Coochie Lottery P.S. All Your Collagen is Restored.”

About me:

I am in the early half of my fifties, my periods might have finally ended, KNOCK WOOD, and I am single again, only this marriage was to a woman.  I tell you this only because it’s totally hot I am sure that some of you are lesbian or bisexual too.  So, like some of you, at the present time I am a sole practitioner, if you will, and do not have a partner’s perspective to share with you.

Anyway, here is my experience with the actual product.  Zestra is a concoction primarily of botanical oils, and it comes in little foil packets.  The instructions suggest starting with whole packet, but I decided to start with about half a packet – see “concerns” below.  Who knows how much I actually used, because I didn’t weigh or measure it, and the unused portion later leaked all over my underwear drawer.  Hint: when storing opened packets, remember the thing about gravity.

So, I applied the oil as directed (snicker) and then set about doing incredibly sexy household chores.  I figured the first go-around I’d just see if I would be struck by some kind of…imperative.  I wasn’t thinking scientifically yet, so I failed to note the precise time of application.  My bad.

I hadn’t even made it to the laundry room when I began to feel a lovely WARM sensation.  I meant to unload the dryer, but I was distracted by, um, thoughts.  Of England.

Before going any further, let me note my CONCERNS:

1. I am one of those women whose lady parts can often be a bit too sensitive.  This means that if stimulation is too intense, my pearl just kind of numbs out and has to put on sunglasses, go home early and miss the fireworks.   So I was worried that Zestra might make me too sensitive, which would be a deal-breaker for me.  To my great delight, that was no problemo.  As an amateur science expert, I know that the physiological key to arousal is engorgement – when erogenous areas are filled with blood, and blossom like some kind of lovely sea flower.  That seems to be the effect that Zestra has.  So whether you prefer to be touched with feather lightness or pound not, I don’t believe that Zestra will do anything to hamper your style.
2. As a (gasp!) lesbian, my other concern was the taste of the product.  You don’t want some artificial bubble-gum flavor messing with a woman’s umami.  So I tasted it, and found it to be very mild and pleasant.  It does make your tongue kind of tingle, but my guess is that your partner would not care if his/her tongue swelled to the size of a grapefruit, because damn, you are sexy when you writhe and purr like that. 

Round 2

For my second experiment, I used the stopwatch function on my iPod.  This is science, dammit!  Therefore, I can report to you the following:

• Quantity used – about half a packet
• After 45 seconds – started to feel a nice warmth, which steadily increased
• 2 minutes - As a scientist, I tried different physical arrangements to modulate warmth and coolness.  Standing buck naked in a breezy, open window proved awkward, whereas tucking my legs together created a lovely, cozier package.  
• 3 minutes - Did I mention that the warmth was very, very nice, and that it just kind of kept increasing?
• 4 minutes – Hello, Kitty!  These are the exact words that came into my head.  Hey, that would make a great name for an entire line of products!  
• Purely Scientific Observation:  Even the gentlest friction ramps up the heat.

--THIS SECTION OF THE REVIEW HAS BEEN FLAGGED OFFENSIVE BY USERS--

and it wasn’t until about 40 minutes later that the warmth seemed to gradually begin to subside. 

• 50 minutes – still warm, but probably will not be distracting.  Thank God I can get on with my work.
• 1 hour, 5 minutes – still feeling cozy.
• 1 hour, 30 minutes – kind of a warm memory.  Hmmm.  Oh, how interesting.  A wee bit of friction still gooses the heat, surprisingly.  An ambitious gal could certainly take another walk around the block (WINK).

So, the bottom line is that I think that Zestra has a ridiculous, embarrassing name, but goddam, I will buy it.  I have eight sisters and sisters-in-law, and I when they get their presents, I am totally going to be the favorite, at last.

Zestra is not cheap like me boxed wine.  But, neither is it expensive like aged Scotch.  That means that none of the sisters will be getting a full box (oh, just stop it).  Not to worry, though.  I’m sure that in no time at all, your insurance company will cover this, just as they cover Viagra for men.  BWAH, HA HA HA!  Oh, I kill myself.  You can request a free sample on the website.  Trust me, it will be well worth the five bucks you will pay for postage. 

In the meanwhile, I will keep working on names to suggest to the company.  If I could just think of a shorter way to say, “Hi, my Name is Brad Pitt.  My Wife and I Think You are Incredibly Sexy and we Want to Make You…Breakfast.”  

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WANT SOME? Oh, yes you do:

We're having a Zestra Essential Arousal Oils giveaway!

Check out the Zestra website.

Go to this post and leave a comment with a little factoid about Zestra such as -

"Zestra is safe, hormone-free, has no known drug interactions, and works in minutes."

We'll pick a comment by random and send a sample set of Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to the lucky commenter!

More Women Reviews the Zestra Essential Arousal Oils! And, "YES-YES-YES" - a Giveaway!

Our reviews:

1/11/10 -  Spleenma  Zestra Arrrousal Oil, or What I Did on my Christmas Vacation

1/12/10 - Mary Wyatt   More Than They Bargained For

1/13/10 - minnie the moocher - A Zesty Enterprise Indeed!

1/13/10 - Catootes - Add some Zest to your night

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You read that right - arousal oils. Bold and badass reviews, indeed!

Last month, nine of us at the More Women community were offered the very unique opportunity to evaluate the Zestra Essential Arousal Oils product and report on our findings. The timing was perfect - the holidays!  A little nookie with the Egg Nog! Stuffing those stockings! O Tannenbaum and OMG! 

All nervous joking aside, we were very interested in trying Zestra, a sexual arousal aid that is a departure from what is readily available to the consumer. Zestra is derived from all natural sources unlike synthetically produced warming gels.  And, though there are other topically applied aids based on plant derivatives, the Zestra Essential Arousal Oils have undergone clinical trial testing. The results indicated that study subjects demonstrated "statistically significant improvements...in level of arousal, level of desire, satisfaction with arousal, genital sensation, ability to have orgasms, and sexual pleasure."

YES! YES! YES! - think Meg Ryan's deli scene in "When Harry Met Sally"

This week, watch for our reviews as our evaluators report in. We have selected a cross section of women with situations and conditions where Zestra can be especially helpful:

• Women experiencing different stages of menopause
• Women taking anti-depressants
• Women with medical conditions affecting sexual feeling

And, we're women who would love to enhance our pleasure. But, aren't we all?

As for the giveaway:

Check out the Zestra website.

Come back to this post and leave a comment with a little factoid about Zestra such as -

"Zestra is safe, hormone-free, has no known drug interactions, and works in minutes."

We'll pick a comment by random and send a sample set of Zestra Essential Arousal Oils to the lucky commenter!

Contest ends January 31, 2010.

Disclosure statement - all reviewers were provided with free samples of the product. No other compensation was received.