Maybe I'm in the minority but I love my period. Every month, I get a bloody reminder that yes, I'm fertile, and no, I'm not pregnant. Thank the Lord. It's another way for me to feel one with womanhood and the act of my uterine lining shedding feels oddly feminine for me. Perhaps the biggest downsides come by way of symptoms. And although I don't experience cramps (after Day 1), I do experience mood swings, cravings, inner thigh aches, back pain, and hormonal acne (jawline breakouts become the bane of my existence for about a week).
That being said, I'm almost certain that period-related symptoms are the reason most of us with vaginas aren't a fan of menstruation situations. And I must say I definitely empathize, sis. If you're in need of a little more TLC during your period, we've got you covered on all things period essentials. From tampons and pads to treats that will fulfill your cravings, below is an array of period subscription boxes sure to alleviate your time of the month. The best part? You don't have to leave the comfort of your home to fulfill your period needs. Convenience is king.
LOLA
Courtesy of LOLA
Customize your own period subscription box through LOLA for as little as $9 a month. Depending on your needs, you can curate a box that's a mixture of organic cotton feminine care products absent of dyes, synthetic fibers, and fragrances. Choose between pads with wings, cleansing wipes, tampons, liners, and an essential oil blend for cramps. Ante up your monthly box on the sexual health side of things by including natural lube and/or condoms. And for young ladies in your life who haven't had their first period yet, LOLA has a special First Period Kit. For $34, you will receive a specially curated box that includes 5 regular pads, 5 heavy pads, 12 liners, 10 light tampons, an instructional card for each period product, etc.
Femly
Femly is another period subscription box that touts the fact that it is made of 100% organic cotton. Years ago, I tried one of their boxes and loved the combination of products that were good for my reproductive health as well as snacks that didn't compromise the rest of my body's health with its use. Femly is a black woman-owned company and includes a product line of pure cotton pads, pure cotton liners, pure cotton night pads, as well as the eco-friendly menstrual cup.
Kali
Courtesy of Kali
In an effort to make you "rethink your period", Kali is an organic luxury period subscription box service that allows you to design the box your cycle needs. Whether you want a box delivered to your door every month or once every three months, you can modify the frequency and the contents of your box at any time. As a luxury option, the box is more on the expensive side than other boxes on this list, starting at $16 a month. The Kali box features an array of sustainably sourced feminine care products free of chlorine bleach, synthetic fibers, dioxins, or dyes. What makes Kali different is that they also include self-care products like virgin coconut sugar scrub, lavender-infused bath soak, and rosewater facial mist.
Cora
Cora is a customizable period box. Like the others, you take a quiz and make selections based on your personalized period needs. You then choose between their pads, tampons, or menstrual cup the Cora Cup (you can also click all if they all apply). You then select the duration of your period and your flow. You will be sent the amount of pads or tampons based on those two selections. Add-ons to your subscription box include 6 period liners, 6 lavender body cloths, 6 rosemary eucalyptus body cloths, 6 rose-geranium body cloths, body cloth pouch (10 cloths), 2 individually wrapped heat relief cloths. The cost starts at $12 per month.
The PMS Package
The PMS Package
The PMS Package is a period subscription box that acts as your period survival kit. It's a care package comprised of feminine essentials and comfort snacks synced to deliver to your doorstep at the start of your monthly cycle. The name of the game is pampering and The PMS Package makes sure to do exactly that with unique items like Skinny Pop, Oreos, chocolate, makeup wipes, Chex Mix, socks, and more. The premium boxes start at $34.99.
Athena Club
Courtesy of the brand/Athena Club
Athena Club is redefining self-care by allowing you to get 18 premium or organic tampons for less than $8 a month. In addition to this, the period subscription box offers toxin-free essentials that range from liners and pads to TLC wipes and their menstrual cup. You can also create your own subscription box incorporating other needs Athena Club covers like wellness and body care with their razors, daily probiotics, daily multivitamins, body lotions, and deodorant.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
Best Menstrual Cups For Period
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That’s why, when one couple came to me and asked what was something that they could do to light the fire (pun intended) in their own bedroom, the first thing that I asked was if they had ever tried wax play before. You should’ve seen the expression on their faces. LOL.
When it comes to things like that, I think that it’s still taboo for some, simply because they’ve only seen it on a movie screen or heard about it in true extreme sexual contexts — and so, they don’t think that it’s something that is “for them” when, the reality is, with the right tips in tow, wax play can be for pretty much anyone…and everyone.
So today, let’s add something new to some of y’all’s boudoir list of activities. Here are 10 things that will, hopefully, help you to see the flames of wax play (I’ve got puns all over the place today) in a whole new light.
1. Anticipation Does Wonders for Sexual Arousal
GiphyI once read an article by a mental health expert who said that anticipation is probably the greatest aphrodisiac of all. It builds excitement. It fuels curiosity. At the end of the day, it’s like a mental form of edging because you’re getting close to something that you look forward to — although you’re not quite there yet. Listen, he’s not off base because even science says that anticipation can give you a dopamine hit that can ultimately improve your sexual experiences.
Keeping this point in mind, how can watching hot wax drip from a candle and head toward your body not fuel some level of anticipation? Especially if it’s your first few times trying it? A woman by the name of Ana Monnar once said, “Anticipation is sometimes more exciting than actual events.” Just something to consider, when it comes to entertaining bringing wax play into your world, my dear.
2. Wax Play Is Peak-Level Foreplay
GiphyWe all know what foreplay is, right? Just to be sure that we’re all on the same page, a very basic definition is it’s something that typically happens right before sex in order to arouse the people who are about to have it. And since foreplay is pretty much the prelude to copulation, it’s important that “the appetizer” is damn near as good as the “main course.” Wax play can help to ensure that because, aside from what I just said about anticipation, it can also help you and your partner tap into your more sensual and seductive sides. It’s hot. It requires being mindful. And since so much give and take is involved, it requires both people to be very into the moment. Lawd. Wax play is sexy to even just think about!
3. Temperature Pleasure Is Lots of Fun
GiphyOkay, say that you’ve never played with wax (in this way) before. Have you ever incorporated ice cubes? I ain’t gonna let y’all get ALL up in my business, so…let me just say (for now) that some ice during oral sex ain’t neva hurt nobody…quite the contrary! There’s something about the unexpected cool that mixes around with the warmth of a mouth that is truly unmatched. Along these same lines, wax play brings in the heat and, what makes temperature pleasure/play so awesome is, that it uses the sensations of different temperatures to bring out different forms of stimulation.
Another thing that’s worth noting about temperature pleasure is if you’re someone who considers yourself to be on the sexually conservative side yet you do like this type of activity, whether you realize it or not, you’re low-key participating in a form of kink (yep!). This brings me to my next point.
4. Wax Play Is an Introduction to Kink
GiphyIt’s kind of interesting how some people clam up at the thought of a (sexual) kink when the reality is, at the end of the day, it’s about having a certain type of sexual experience (as opposed to a fetish that focuses on objects or body parts; like a foot fetish, for example). So, if it’s that simple, why does it intimidate a lot of folks? Well, kinks tend to delve into people’s fantasies or unconventional ways of thinking (like BDSM or voyeurism).
At the same time, the cool thing about kinks is you control how deep you want to go. Just know that if you do participate in wax play, there’s no point in turning up your nose to the whole kink thing; wax play technically qualifies.
5. Soy Does One Thing. Paraffin Does Another.
GiphyOkay, so let’s spend a couple of moments talking about the things that you need to get the most out of your wax play experience. First, please don’t be out here imitating movies. While they will have you believing that you should pull a taper candle from your dining room table and go ham with it, it’s best to go with massage candles; they are specifically designed for wax play and body massages (The Knot has a recommendation list here and Women’s Health has a list of their own here).
When it comes to candles, in general, I’m always a fan of soy because they burn cleaner and last longer. However, when it comes to wax play, two other reasons why soy is best is it’s natural and “burns lower;” this simply means that once the wax hits your body, it won’t be as hot as, say, paraffin wax will (because it has a higher burning point).
What all of this means is if you want a more comfortable experience, go with a soy (or even a shea butter or beeswax) candle. If you want to play with the big (wax play) kids, try paraffin.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if you can never use “regular” candles — I mean, it’s your body. All I’m saying is some candles are designed for wax play; birthday candles? They are not. Feel me?
6. Massage Candles Feel Incredible on Your Muscles and Joints
GiphySo, here’s the thing about massage candles: If you’ve ever had a professional massage before, your massage therapist may have used them. And if you’ve gotten a high-end mani/pedi, some paraffin wax may have come into play (no pun intended). That’s because the wax from both types of candles has health benefits that include relaxing muscles, improving joint mobility, and increasing blood flow throughout the body. And when you factor in the fact that the better you physically feel before sex, the better sex will be during it — isn’t that just one more plus for and perk of wax play? I definitely think so.
7. The Aromatherapy Is Incomparable
GiphySomething else that’s awesome about most massage candles is they have a wonderfully alluring scent to them, by design. Yes, that matters too because there is plenty of data out here to support the fact that aromatherapy does everything from reduce stress and relieve bodily discomfort to treat headaches and fight off infections (word on the street is that it may even help with menstrual cramps and menopause).
As far as your sex life goes, aromatherapy is supreme because certain essential oils double up as aphrodisiacs. Lavender, neroli, and rose are proven to improve your sexual function. Geranium reduces anxiety. And listen, if climaxing is your ultimate goal, check out “Ultimate Climax Hack? 10 Scents That Make It So Much Easier To Orgasm” and then look for massage oils that smell like, say, vanilla, saffron or jasmine. Bottom line, a good massage candle that smells amazing is going to be worth every cent that you spent to purchase it.
8. You Will Learn Communication (and Dirty Talk) on a Whole ‘Nother Level
GiphyOne of the reasons why I once penned, “Are You Ready To Apply Your Love Language To Your Sex Life?” for the platform is because, if there’s one thing that I think is so awesome about sex, is it finds a way to incorporate all five of your senses (sight, touch, taste, sound and hearing) as well as your top love languages (words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, physical touch and gifts — if you’re open to it).
And when it comes to hearing (and words of affirmation), this is another area where wax play can be a winner because, as you’re learning what works for your partner and they learn what works for you, words have to be exchanged… perhaps even dirty ones.
And why is dirty talk so damn effective? According to scientific research, it has the ability to activate your entire brain (the biggest sex organ that you have) and when this is going on while you’re being physically stimulated — chile, the sky truly is the limit!
9. Wax Play Is Completely Customizable
GiphyYou know back when I was talking about soy candles vs. paraffin ones? Something that I didn’t mention, by design at the time, is that, although I will forever be Team Massage Candles when it comes to this particular topic, there are some known as wax play candles too. What’s the difference? Wax play candles tend to remain pretty hard (after being lit up) while massage candles are designed to melt into a liquid that you can massage on your partner’s body.
Why am I bringing this all up now? Well, it’s to serve as a reminder that wax play can be “dialed up” or “turned down” based on what you want to do. If you just want to put a twist on a massage, you can do that. If you’d like to test your partner’s tolerance level by applying more heat for longer, do that.
Just make sure that you use the kind of wax that doesn’t fully melt on shaved areas of the body (pretty sure why is self-explanatory), that you moisturize your skin beforehand (it’s easier to remove the wax…or whatever is leftover) that way and that you pour around 15-20 inches away from your partner’s body; that gives it time to cool somewhat on the way down. Oh, and if you don’t want to jack up your sheets, you might want to lay down a protective drop cloth (like this one here).
10. It Sure As Hell Ain’t Boring
Season 1 Friends GIF - Find & Share on GIPHYGiphyLast point — and it brings all of this full circle. Now that you’ve read all of the ways that wax play can benefit your sex life, how in the world could you associate it with “boring” on any level? Anything that can get you hype, cultivate eagerness, and enhance what you’ve already got going on…that is worth putting on your sex bucket list and trying at least one time, wouldn’t you say? And why can’t that time be…TONIGHT? Shoot your man a pick of a massage candle with a heart and watch him beat you home.
Then report back (with edits…LOL).
Something tells me that you’ll become a wax play fan — SOON.
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