Most expensive egg you'll ever own

MiMi, by Je Joue has been touted as the bee's knees of clitoral vibrators. It's small, light, made of silky smooth silicone, and can go with you anywhere.

Being rather quiet (when working properly), MiMi is great for cohabitation situations; such as sharing a room with a sibling or being in a college dorm. Under some blankets the faint hum of its motor is barely noticeable. The waterproof design also makes MiMi ideal to play with in the tub or other aquatic locations. It's discreet enough to slip into a purse but elegant enough to be given as a sexy little gift.

MiMi is a clitoral vibrator by nature and though many other such vibrators can be used for other forms of stimulation... MiMi really can't. Before I bought my own, I read a review that claimed that MiMi fit perfectly between two people for extra stimulation during intercourse, but after my own experiences; I have to wonder if some additional manipulation hadn't been involved to accomplish the feat.

Pictures and videos give MiMi the appearance of being slim enough to slip between the labia for some additional stimulation but it is deceptively wide and blunt. I was unable to find any angle or power setting that made trying to put it anywhere but around the clitoris worthwhile.

MiMi is made of 100% silicone with plastic buttons that also serve as the charging pad when connected to its charger. The high-grade material is incredibly soft and very pleasant. The silicone is almost velvety to the touch, and honestly a lot of fun to just have in your hand. It's not a slick material on its own however, and benefits from the use of a silicone-safe lube.

It has no real odor to speak of, except perhaps that faint new-out-of-the-box scent which is maintained even after use and wash. It is in no way overpowering or unpleasant however, and for those of you that are surrounded by other scents such as candles or incense you're not likely to notice it at all.

My first thought when I pulled MiMi out was that it was a lot smaller than I had anticipated. I had seen a video review of it on another site and had been anticipating something that would fill up my hand. What I got instead was something that was vaguely reminiscent of the Reese's Egg candy. MiMi was only marginally larger, but the same flat, oval shape that I'm sure was designed to be ergonomic. For me, it simply felt ungainly. It was too big to hold with just a few fingers, like a bullet or egg, but too small to support with my palm.

Not being able to hold it right contributed to my lackluster experiences with it, I'm sure. It took me quite some time to find a place to hold the MiMi so that I got any real sensation, and when I managed that, the blunted tip diffused any focus of power that I would have really liked.

Another problem is that on the higher settings, MiMi will make your hand go numb before anything else. It's hard to be relaxed or excited with your fingers and wrist tingling in that unpleasant, sleepy-muscle feeling.

Maybe if I had smaller hands or a larger clit it would have been more comfortable, but for me personally, it seemed more like a hassle, constantly trying to concentrate on how I was holding the vibe rather than having time to enjoy it.

When I first heard about the MiMi, it was nothing but rave reviews. A self-proclaimed "power queen" gushed about how MiMi did her in so quickly and perfectly, and she was such a giddy and happy customer that I couldn't help be swayed by her review. When I read reviews here on Eden too, it was nothing but raving about this little "powerhouse". To me, the biggest compliment a vibe can get is when someone complains that it makes their clit go numb.

You can imagine my disappointment then, when I finally got my MiMi, got it all charged up and ready to go, and then was provided with only the most basic sense of "high" vibration. It was a lot like expecting to go see Old Faithful burst out of the ground only to see a little fountain bubble up.

I tried every position with it I could think of. I laid it flat across the clitoris, so it spread out the labia, I slid it down to press just against the pubis, I tried direct clitoral contact. Nothing. I tried so hard that my first MiMi's motor burned out in less than 14 days. Considering the cost alone; I felt very disappointed. (Although Eden has an excellent exchange/replacement policy and I did receive a second one that has not died yet. That may, however, have a lot to do with the fact that I don't use it much.)

The one thing MiMi does have going for it is variety. The vibe provides 5 different levels of power and 5 different pulsating patterns that vary from short, controlled bursts to escalating patterns that tick through the various levels of power. The issue is getting the damn thing to change settings.

MiMi has only two buttons; a set of hard plastic + and - at its top. Holding down the + sign turns the vibe on, but you have to hold it down so hard that it leaves an impression of the button on your finger. It's not much easier once the vibe is on, either. The + button cycles through the levels of power and patterns while the - button can either backtrack to the previous setting or turn it off. As it would figure; - was the more sensitive button of the two.

If you are going to use lube, be sure to use water-based materials, as silicone lube will damage your silicone vibe. Lube or not, MiMi was very easy to clean. The benefit of a waterproof vibe is not having to worry about being careful of any moisture in a battery compartment or other electrical and sensitive areas. Just stick the vibe under the faucet and gently scrub clean with warm water and antibacterial soap.

The non-porous silicone is actually very easy to store. You can wrap it in a towel and stuff it in a drawer, or just go for the drawer if you'd like (though, I'd recommend cleaning before and after use in that case). Personally, I tend to put my MiMi back in its box because it protects the toy from dust, dirt, and other nasty particles no one wants on their vibe.

Je Joue does know how to make things pretty. MiMi comes in the most pretty little gift box you will ever see a sex toy arrive in. The box is sturdy cardboard with a faux satin finish and ribbons to tie it shut. Really, it looks like a little treasure box; something you'd expect to find jewelry or expensive perfume in.

A plastic tray lets MiMi sit elegantly inside while it waits to be used. Underneath the tray is more than enough room to safely tuck the instruction manual/disclaimer and the charger, and the top tray can be pulled out with its own little ribbon.

If I had to go based on aesthetics alone, I would definitely put MiMi at the top of my list for gifts to give to a female lover.

I understand that I have a high threshold for vibration/power in terms of the toys I like to use. I typically lower my expectations when shopping for toys because I know this about myself. MiMi was the first toy I ever got really excited for because I thought it would be the first thing I'd own other than my trusty old Hitachi that could get me off.

Even though I got mine during a really good sale, I feel like I could have gotten a better deal if I'd just bought a typical egg or bullet. The only reason I don't return it for a refund or exchange is because it is 1) super easy to clean and I am so very, very lazy; and 2) it's rechargeable. Not only is it cost inefficient to run through batteries again and again and again and again, it's getting to a point nowadays where even when I'm buying sex toys, I like to try and be environmentally friendly. I could have gotten several cheap eggs for what I paid for the MiMi, but at least with the MiMi I know I've got X years of reliable recharging. Provided it doesn't blow another motor.

I would describe my overall experience as lackluster and frustrating. I'm glad that so many others found it to their liking, but if you are a REAL power queen? You're better off sticking with the magic wand.