Contour M - massager discontinued by Jimmyjane - review by Dawn (Lilac Distraction)

Use

The Contour M is a massage stone that allows you a few different options for a relaxing massage. If can be used with or without a partner. (Another set of hands will make reaching your back a little easier.) It's best when used with a massage oil, or one of the Jimmyjane Afterglow massage candles. You can use this to massage just about any part of the body. It works well for backs, shoulders, legs, arms, or anywhere else you could use a little bit of massage. (The instructions included warn against using this on the abdomen when pregnant, or on the base of the head/top of the neck.) It's great for kneading out knots and providing a relaxing massage. You can use the four nubs on the base all at once for four contact points of direct pressure. You can also use one of them at a time for even more concentrated pressure. Flipping the Contour M over and using the curved side allows for lighter pressure in a wider area. It's great for relaxing your partner with a relaxing sensual massage, but it's also a good little tool for getting all your kinks out after a busy day.

Material/Design

The Contour M is made of a white, glossy ceramic material. Ceramic has a material safety rating of 9. Ceramic is non-porous and does retain temperature like glass does, so you can use this for temperature play. Ceramic is a pretty durable material, so this should resist breaking when dropped. Ceramic can glide easily on skin without any oil, but it is best that you use some massage oil with this. If you slip it in a little pouch, you can take it with you when you travel.

It's 4.8 oz., 3" wide and long, and 2 1/4" long. The design is very ergonomic. It fits comfortably in the palm of a hand. I had no problem using it even though I have small hands. It actually has somewhat of a tooth-like design. The overall design is very elegant and simple. It's something you can leave on the bedside table without raising any eyebrows. It does say "Jimmyjane" along the top, but most people will have no idea what Jimmyjane is, and if they do, they'll just be jealous. Plus, massages are never something to be ashamed of, right?

Performance

To use this, grab a little massage oil and a willing body (which can always be your own). If you're in a room that's slightly cool, you may want to heat the stone up before use. This can be done very easily by running it under warm water. It has the tendency to become ice cold if the room is a little chilly. You can use it cool if you wish, or do some temperature play with it, but it seems much more comfortable when warmed a little before use. Heated massage oil (like the Jimmyjane and LELO massage candles) work well to warm the stone a little, but they don't make it too incredibly hot. You can flip the massage stone over and pour the oil directly into the little hollow part of the stone. It's a nice little touch.

The four nubs on the bottom do provide pinpointed massage stimulation. The top can be used for lighter pressure over a broader area. You can use this for long massages without experiencing hand fatigue that normal massages can cause.

Experience

I wanted to much to like this as much as the other reviewers did. I was super excited when it finally came in. I popped open the box and used it a little over my clothing. It felt . . . okay. I used it on bare skin. It felt a little better. I expected it to work a whole lot better when used with massage oil because the ceramic wasn't really gliding over the skin very well on its own. I showed this to my massage therapist roommate and he wasn't too impressed with it at all even though they do use massage stones in their practice.

I finally got around to using this for a sensual massage and still expected it to be awesome. I love massages and so does my partner. I poured in some of the Afterglow massage oil and got to massaging. I actually found this stone to be a little frustrating. I enjoy doing a lot of variation when I give massages. I like long strokes (which this is good for). I like kneading (which this is okay for). I also like using my fingers to get in tight areas and work the muscle (which this doesn't really replicate at all). After about three minutes of using this on my lover and being frustrated at the small amount of variation I was able to do with it, I tossed it to the side. My turn came to get a massage and the same thing happened. It just didn't feel as good as I had hoped. I like pressure and I like the sensation that this could theoretically provide, but it just wasn't doing it for me. I like hands instead. (Maybe I've been spoiled because I've been getting free Swedish massages for the last few months.)

Care

Caring for this thing is super easy. When you're done, you can wipe or wash the oil away. Ceramic can be hand washed with soap and water, or it can be put in the dishwasher. Make sure to avoid using any abrasive detergents on it. It can be stored just about anywhere. It's a good idea to keep it in a small pouch or wrapped up in a cloth so that it doesn't get any scratches. Just like all ceramic, make sure you're careful when you drop this. Check for any cracks before use. If it is cracked, toss it.

Packaging

Jimmyjane knows how to present their products in a truly elegant way. It comes in a white box that looks very trendy. It would make a great gift. Inside, you'll find a small instruction booklet with some tips and tricks.

After the testing period, this really hasn't come out of the box. It would be great for those who are unfamiliar with massage techniques, but I still think that hands feel better. This one hasn't impressed me even though we've tried to use it a number of times. I think I'm going to pass this on to a friend.