What do you look for in a review?

Contributor: Lickable Lollie Lickable Lollie
Lickable Lollie
Related to: 
I want to try to make the best reviews possible without posting a ton of unneeded information. What do you look for when you read a review for the following things:
Vibrators
Lotions
Games
11/09/2011
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Contributor: Ghost Ghost
Usually, I prefer reviews that give information that is NOT given on the product page. I hate it when I see multiple reviews on a product and they all say the same thing and spew all the information given on the product page. I like information regarding:
1) How you exactly used it
2) How well did it work for it's intended purpose? Did you find alternative uses?
3) How easily is it cleaned/charged/etc.
4) Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why? I hate it when people say "it didn't fit my anatomy" without giving an indication of what their anatomy is. That doesn't really help the person who is reading the review decide whether the item would work for them, as there is no real comparison given.
5) I really like follow ups that are atleast 2-3 months after the item was first reviewed, to see how it holds up/if the internal battery is wearing out/etc.

I find a lot of information given to be very vague. Things like "I really can't think of anything wrong" or "this toy is just all around great" don't mean much to me.
11/09/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I agree with Elnoa.

I like to know details about how it was used and why it did or did not work. Saying "this was awesome" doesn't help if you don't say why you think it did. Same for if you didn't like it. I'm sorry you didn't and all, but why do you think it didn't work for you? Did it lack power? Was the shape not good for your body? Was the material too rigid or too soft? What exactly didn't you like?

I like if people say their preferences. For instance, if someone mentions that they don't need a lot of power and rates something four vrooms then I know to take it with a grain of salt personally, since I tend to need a lot of power. If you just say "this is strong" but don't say what you're comparing it to or what you like, it's too vague.

I like details on material. I usually buy silicone so was it smooth, did it have drag, etc. I already know it's silicone from the product page and what lubes to use. What I want to know is how exactly does the silicone feel.

I happen to be visual, so I like when people include pictures. Especially for size reference. I'm bad at measurements and reading "it's 7 inches long" doesn't give me any idea how big something is. I need to know "it's about as big as my hand" or something. Pictures tend to communicate that information better than words.
11/09/2011
Contributor: Lickable Lollie Lickable Lollie
It's really difficult for me to have a nice balance because I know that some people prefer to have the info from the product page listed in the review as well, but others don't like it. Personally, I don't like it because it's just as easy to look at the page and I want to know stuff about the product that I can't get from the page, like experiences. Any suggestions on things to mention for reviews on lotions? I got myself some motion lotion and I plan on mentioning obvious things like how well it worked and how it tastes...it's a toughy though, because I let me roommate put some on her hand and taste it and she thinks it's gross, but I think it's good for an edible lotion. They usually don't taste amazing...they are lotions after all.
11/09/2011
Contributor: Ghost Ghost
As for lotions, perhaps a comparison to other brands you've used? Sometimes it's difficult to judge an item, even after researching ingredients, and sometimes it's helpful to hear "This reminded me of the [insert other product] in texture and [insert other other product] in scent".
11/10/2011
Contributor: Lickable Lollie Lickable Lollie
Quote:
Originally posted by Ghost
As for lotions, perhaps a comparison to other brands you've used? Sometimes it's difficult to judge an item, even after researching ingredients, and sometimes it's helpful to hear "This reminded me of the [insert other product] in ... more
This is actually the first one that I've used. It's the original motion lotion so it's not technically a lotion...it's a lube...which I don't need. I was hoping to be able to use it as a massage lotion because it heats up, but it's so sticky that I can't imagine putting that EVERYWHERE. I'm probably going to skip the review on that one til I can get my hands on a different lotion, or skip it all together since it's not actually an assignment but just a product I decided to try. I really don't like it though...it's a lot harder to write a review for a product that you don't like.
11/10/2011
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Vibrations: buzzy or deep. A review is absolutely USELESS if it doesn't state this.
11/10/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Lickable Lollie
This is actually the first one that I've used. It's the original motion lotion so it's not technically a lotion...it's a lube...which I don't need. I was hoping to be able to use it as a massage lotion because it heats up, but ... more
Well if you don't like it, we should know why. Somebody else out there is going to feel the same way and would benefit from your opinion on it. For lotions, potions, etc, I try to cover how liquidy they are (or aren't), what their scent or taste is, if they get sticky, etc. Making comparisons like Elnoa said can be helpful, but a review can also be helpful without them. If you liked the taste but your roommate didn't, that can also be helpful if we know what her flavor preferences are (she likes sweet things, she doesn't like sweet things, etc). However there's nothing wrong with not writing the review either if you don't want to.

With games and stuff like that, cover all of the contents, the rules, how well you think the game will hold up, whether you and/or other people thought it was fun or not, etc.

Something that I found helped when I started writing reviews is to write the review to include all the information you would be looking for in it, and to also write it like you're telling a friend about it over a cup of coffee. Your friend can't see what you're talking about, so it's up to you to tell them what the packaging looks like, what's inside of it, how everything feels and works and looks and tastes, etc.
11/10/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Lickable Lollie
It's really difficult for me to have a nice balance because I know that some people prefer to have the info from the product page listed in the review as well, but others don't like it. Personally, I don't like it because it's just as ... more
I write my reviews (I try to anyway) as if the person reading the review has never read a sex toy or product review before, AND I include things in the review for the more experienced toy user to take from it, too.

While using a product for an alternative use is always good to include in your review, a review should always include how the product worked as its intended usage. Meaning, including "Motion Lotion" as a massage oil (which with all the glycerine, I can't imagine it not being a mess) would be fine, but you would also have to include the details of how it works as a sexual lubricant as that is its intended purpose.

For instance, I am in the market for a silicone lube, to use as a hair defrizzer. However, I don't use silicone lubes because of all the silicone toys I have, so although I might BUY a silicone lube to use for hair product, I wouldn't request one as an assignment, unless I'd be willing to test it at least 5 or 6 times (sans silicone toys) in order to write the review properly.

Also, reading as many reviews from high ranking and up an coming reviewers who usually get good votes will help you hone your writing skills, as will working with your mentor and if you need it, an other mentor after that.

Good luck.

ps. I personally do want much of the stuff included on the Product Page. I like to read the review in its entirety and I hate flipping back and forth, so I like to see a mention of size, circumference, ingredients, lube compatibility, storing and cleaning suggestions, etc.
11/10/2011
Contributor: Lickable Lollie Lickable Lollie
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I write my reviews (I try to anyway) as if the person reading the review has never read a sex toy or product review before, AND I include things in the review for the more experienced toy user to take from it, too.

While using a product for ... more
I will probably skip this one for review simply because I'm not going to use it as a lube. Honestly, I am really bummed because I can't really use it for anything. I'm afraid to use it as a lube because of the glycerine in it, and I am prone to yeast infections. Good thing I just purchased this instead of requesting it for a review. Of course it sucks that I spent money on it and probably won't be using it. Maybe I can have my roommate use it and make sure she pays attention to the details that you guys are looking for.
11/10/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Lickable Lollie
I will probably skip this one for review simply because I'm not going to use it as a lube. Honestly, I am really bummed because I can't really use it for anything. I'm afraid to use it as a lube because of the glycerine in it, and I am ... more
Yep, if you get yeast infections and UTIs usually glycerin lubes are out.

I have at least 4 or 5 bottles and tubes of lube I can't use. In fact, when I was younger, Motion Lotion gave me such terrible UTIs (urinary tract infections, with yeast infections) that I eventually ended up having gentio-urinary surgery. I probably would have had to have the surgery anyway (I had a constricted urethra) but I am pretty sure that stuff made the infections more frequent. I did eventually throw it away. I learned later that glycerin may cause infections in susceptible people. What I wouldn't have given to have known.

I did tell my urologist I was using it and he just shook his head and said "No, don't use that stuff." But, he didn't tell me WHY! He thought I was "too young to have sex" (I was in college) and didn't want to give me any information. If he or someone else had said something, it could have saved me a lot of pain, suffering and blood loss.
11/10/2011
Contributor: Lickable Lollie Lickable Lollie
I have to write a review for Amour Tempt & Tease Romance Kit and I'm lost as to what to say about, other than the obvious information like what the fabrics are like and what the dice say.
11/12/2011
Contributor: Mellifer Mellifer
Quote:
Originally posted by Ghost
Usually, I prefer reviews that give information that is NOT given on the product page. I hate it when I see multiple reviews on a product and they all say the same thing and spew all the information given on the product page. I like information ... more
I concur.
11/20/2011