Maximus is often recommended as an anal lube, due to it's thickness, but it could also be used for PIV sex, toy play, or masturbation. To be honest, I have a hard time recommending it for any of those things, since I just don't like it. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for use before any oral activities, because the taste is unpleasant.

Maximus is glycerin free, so it won't cause yeast infections for those who are prone to them. It is also bio-static, which means it helps prevent the spread of yeast, fungi, and bacteria. It does contain parabens, which some people may be sensitive to. For a full list of ingredients, check the product page.

Maximus is probably best know for it's thick texture. I was expecting to really enjoy the texture, since I hate thin, runny lubes. You won't have any problems with it dripping, and it will easily form a thick coating on a toy.

When my bottle arrived, it had a gritty texture, which felt like there were tiny dried up clumps in the lube. I noticed that my bottle had over an inch of air space at the top, and decided it must have somehow dried up, although the lid was securely sealed and it wasn't supposed to expire for more than 4 years from when I received it. I decided to add some water and see if that helped. I filled it up almost to the top, and shook the bottle until the water was mixed in throughout the lube. I let it sit overnight to make sure the water was fully incorporated. When I tried it the next day, the gritty particles had dissolved. I've had my bottle for over a year now, and it hasn't dried back up.

Even though I got rid of the grittiness, I'm still not a fan of the texture of this lube. My current favourite lube is Wet Synergy, and Maximus just can't compare when it comes to texture. They are very similar in thickness, but Synergy has an elegant, silky feel, while Maximus feels a bit goopy to me.

Maximus is not scented or flavoured. It does have a slight smell, which I can't really describe other than saying it smells similar to an unscented hand soap or lotion. It's light enough that I don't notice it during use. The taste is quite bitter and unpleasant. It's bad enough that you really wouldn't want to get any into your mouth, and oral sex would be out of the picture unless you washed it off.

Maximus performs pretty well. It is long lasting for a water based lube, but doesn't last as long as hybrid or silicone based lubes can. I have to reapply a couple of times if using it for a handjob, but it will last throughout sex. The thickness makes it possible to apply a lot of lube without it dripping off. I find this helpful for anal play, or for cushioning textured toys which can be painful for me. It absorbs pretty nicely into the skin, and while there is a residue left behind it isn't flaky, sticky, or greasy and makes the skin feel moisturized. I usually don't feel the need to clean it off, since the texture doesn't bother me once it's dry, just when it's wet. It comes off easily with a wipe or water.

Maximus comes in a clear plastic bottle which contains 250 ml or 8.45 oz of lube. It has a pump top, which is great with a thicker lube since it makes it easy to dispense. The bottle is good for leaving beside the bed, but isn't good for travel since it's large and while you can re-close the top it's a bit difficult. The packaging is fairly discreet since it looks more like soap than lube, but if you have a bottle on your bedside table most people will figure out that it's lube. The label is more masculine than feminine looking, with the name written in capital letters and pictures of a column and a Greek vase. The words "A water-based sensual lubricant" are in smaller letters on the front, and the ingredient list is on the back. There are no directions for use or warnings. It has an expiry date, and mine expires in 2015.

This isn't a terrible lube, but I just really don't like the way it feels. I usually only use it to insert butt plugs, since I can wipe off the excess and can't really feel it. I have also used it when I am trying to insert vaginal toys that are a bit too large for me, or have textures that are uncomfortable for me, which the thick texture helps to cushion. I tried using it for a handjob on my partner, and while he isn't as picky as I am and didn't really mind it, he did say he doesn't like it as much as some of our other lubes.

This isn't a terrible lube, but I just really don't like the way it feels. I don't like wasting things, so I am keeping it around and trying to use it up. After a year I'm still only about 1/6th of the way through the bottle, so it's going to take me a while! I mainly use it to insert butt plugs, since I can wipe off the excess and really can't feel it once the plugs inserted. I have also used it when I am trying to insert vaginal toys that are a bit too large for me, or have textures that are uncomfortable for me. The thick texture was helpful for cushioning, but I haven't even used it for that since I got Synergy. I tried using it for a handjob on my partner, and while he isn't as picky as I am and didn't really mind it, he did say he doesn't like it as much as some of our other lubes.