A good first step into the world of strap-on sex...

The Mistress possesses many attributes which make it very suitable for first-time strap-on sex. It may be used as a standard dildo, but its flared base is designed to accompany a harness.

Simply put, the Mistress is ideal for newcomers to strap-on play and novices to insertables, in general. For the right user, the Mistress perfectly fulfills a need.

This dildo is made of smooth silicone and is moderately flexible. Silicone can range in firmness. The Mistress is relatively soft and gives nicely to the touch, which makes it forgiving in strap-on play. It can bend almost entirely back on itself, which is ideal for those still finding their groove with strap-on positions.

One factor to remember with all silicone products is that their non-porous surface often doesn't retain lubricant well. This simply means that, when using a toy anally, it's important to generously apply lube to the skin, as well as the toy, before use. The Mistress is a little "stickier" than some, and holds onto lube moderately well.

The Mistress is designed for beginning strap-on play. Its length of 7" is forgiving for positions such as missionary, where the wearer's hips aren't directly meeting the receiving end of their partner. Additionally, the 4" circumference girth of the toy isn't difficult to accept for most first-timers or for those who don't wish to spend much time warming up. The head is the only place on the dildo which deviates from a completely smooth shaft; it provides a nice "pop" upon insertion. One thing to note: the shaft of the dildo doesn't gain or lose any girth along its length. Thus, during thrusting, the receiver isn't being continually stretched, rather he or she is merely enjoying the texture of the dildo and the sensation being generated by their partner.

For the right application, the Mistress performs well. The Mistress's forgiving size and material allow the users to experiment with positions, tempo, and force. The Mistress does have the necessary shape to be used with a suction cup - an option I always enjoy having. The Mistress is a very non-threatening, easy-to use dildo. So many toys can feel like work to use, but this toy certainly is one of those "dive-in and enjoy" types.

My material of choice, silicone is completely non-porous and can be fully disinfected by boiling it for 3 minutes or by running it through your dishwasher on the top rack. Generally, I use warm water and disinfectant soap. It should never be used with silicone-based lubricants, as this can degrade the toy. The Mistress has a tendency to collect dust and lint, so it is advised to wash before use as well as after.

The Mistress came in a clear, cylindrical tube, closed at either end by a red cap which fit quite snugly. The instructions noted that the Mistress should never be stored bent, or it could become deformed. For a time, I stored it in the original tube, but after some time, this became too inconvenient, and I began stowing it with a few other dildos in a shoe-mitt. After nearly a year of this, I've yet to see any sign of deformity.

Overall, the packaging was nice. It's certainly better than the sharp, formed plastic or soft, plastic bag I've seen some other toys come in.

Personally, I'd like to attest simply to the high-quality of this toy. I've yet to be disappointed with a Vixen product, and the Mistress is no exception. If you understand what the Mistress is offering, it won't let you down. For those who really enjoy a firm dildo or are advanced in strap-on play, this probably won't satisfy you.

Of course, if you hope to use this as a strap-on, you'll need a harness. I used this toy with the SpareParts Joque Harness, which I found to be a bit complicated, although it performed well. I would recommend something like the RodeoH harness, which I've yet to try, but have heard very good things about.

The Mistress was the first dildo I used during strap-on play, though I was not a beginner to dildos. It's worth mentioning that strap-on sex is a different game. It's nice to scale down, slightly, from what you're used to taking (if you've used dildos before) to allow for a more fluid experience, especially at first.

As someone who considers themselves to be an intermediate user of anal toys, I still return to the Mistress, albeit not very often, when I'm already sore from a past event or particularly seeking a hassle-free experience with the strap-on.