Meet one of the members of Cal Exotics's Couture Collection line: The Liberte II. This moderately-sized silicone vibrator has an ample number of settings and a sleek shape. Designed for vaginal use, the rounded head also allows for general stimulation of any erogenous area including the ever-sensitive clitoris. The lack of a flared base makes it unsafe for anal use, but light outer stimulation is a-okay with this toy.

The variety of speeds and patterns should be enough to please advanced users while also allowing beginners to find a setting that works best for them. The intensity might not be enough to pleasure the wand-lovers of the world, but just about everyone else can find something to love in this toy. The slower settings work well for massage and on male-bodied partners, and the length is a good size for couple's play.

You can take this little beauty with you for any number of sensual adventures. The material's waterproof makeup and the design's protective o-ring make it suited for use in the shower or bath. More traditional locations like the bedroom also let the vibrator shine. But, be warned college students and secretive self-lovers, because some of the higher settings make quite the racket.

This vibrator is made of a soft, smooth silicone, earning it a spot on the top shelf of safety ratings at a rank of 10. Silicone is known for being non-porous, and water, bacteria and dirt repellent. On top of that, it has a reputation as being one of the longest-lasting toy materials and holds up well against fiction. All of these factors combine to make it king of the hill when it comes to safety. It is advertised as being a "Japanese medical grade" type of silicone, but as far as I can tell that doesn't seem to make it different from any other toy of the same material. The layer of it around the toy is quite plush, somewhat velvety (though not as much as a Doc Johnson toy), and the head is noticeably softer and more malleable. This makes it good for using on your clit or for gentle rubbing, as well as for the initial penetration if you choose to use this vaginally. The texture has a slight wavy feeling along the shaft, enough to be noticed but not overwhelming. In fact, it's more of a pattern than a texture. Due to the slightness of this feature, I believe it will more easily please new users than experienced ones.

Drag is not much of a problem, either. Products like this one can be a literal pain if not enough lube is used, but this toy has less of a problem in this department than others. The lack of an obvious seam line is helpful for preventing any unpleasant snags or catches when being used around the vulva.

On opening, this toy had no particular smell. It did collect dust right away, however. Before using it for the first time you're going to want to wipe it down, and you need to be careful about how you store it. If you continue reading, there is more on the subject in the "Care and Maintenance" section.

Oh, and should you be feeling adventurous, it can be safely heated up by placing it in a bowl of warm water for experiments in temperature play.

One of the real strengths of this toy lies in the design. The Couture line is distinctly modern-looking and thankfully non-phallic, and this white model is no exception. Measuring six and a quarter inches long and one and a fourth inches around, this is a slim vibrator. For those with narrow pelvic bones, PIV sex virgins, and penetration newbies, that fact is a god-send since it can be hard to find an adequately stimulating toy in smaller sizes. With an generous amount of lube this should slide right in without much drag. This is no super-sleek glass dildo, so at least a bit of that is be expected. I actually found the slight (very slight) pull to be useful when it came to controlling depth. This depth control also makes it suited to safe partner play.

No, size queens will not be satisfied when it comes to the thrusting / penetration power of this toy. The handle is not long enough to allow for furious jabs, and the insertable length is just over five inches. Considering the average length of the vagina before the cervix is about four and a half inches, the length should be pleasing without being uncomfortable.

The whole length features a slight pattern; a built-in wave shape, similar to veins. I'm not sure whether to refer to this as a pattern or texture, since it is neither as consistent or as noticeable as most regular textured objects. The top is gently scalloped along in a way akin to peaks and valleys, resulting a slight difference in girth between spots. The head is ever-so-slightly bulbous. Though it lacks a distinctive G-spot curve, with a bit of maneuvering some women will be able to get close to their spot.

Even though it isn't massive, this vibrator is not suited for easy travel. It can fit in a makeup train, but you aren't going to be able to slip this into your backpack or purse without some serious re-arranging. You might be able to take this into a carry-on, but it is not discreet enough to avoid embarrassment should your things be looked through. I would recommend taking a smaller bullet along or a less lengthy vibe instead. The Liberte will be waiting for you when you get back, I'm sure.

Travel isn't something it's suited for, but it fits well in a nightstand. Slim enough to squeeze in by your other toys, or to hide at the bottom of your desk. If you want something quick to grab when the mood hits you, this would literally be a great fit for many bedroom set ups. You could keep it in your medicine cabinet or shower rack for spunky bathroom fun, too.

Running on two AAA batteries (not included) and a single motor, this is a pretty standard non-luxury vibrator set up. To insert the batteries and get going, you keep to screw off the top cap, which is the end that has the bottom. It can also be identified by the opaque plastic o-ring. Getting the cap off is easy, but putting it back on can be a pain. There are two small hook-like extensions that lock it in place, and if you put it on the wrong way they will not snap together. While trying to figure this out, I managed to launch the cap back like a slingshot due to those hooks. At times it can be difficult to figure out.

The compartment that holds the batteries is removable, and they fit in it rather snugly. To keep your power source lasting as long as possible, I would say you should always have this removed with batteries in it, so that it is always ready to go while also keeping the toy from sucking away juice when not in use (although as far as I can tell it is not a "gas guzzler").

The settings are controlled via a button. To get through them you have to press the button, and to turn it off you have to hold it down and scroll back to the first vibration level. This can be inconvenient at times, as to get back to the last setting you have to press through six times until you get back to the one that you wanted. While the first three of these vibrations are similar, the other four are all distinct. Since the noise and intensity level varies based on these (although they are generally on the buzzy side), I break them each down here:

Setting One
- This is a constant, generally buzzy vibration. There is no pattern, and this one is consistent, good for use on male bodies, sensitive clitorises and foreplay. It can be felt all along the shaft but is it not noticeable during penetration.
Vroom: 2 / 5
Bee: 2 / 5


Setting Two
- A faster, stronger version of the first setting. This one is a bit more rumbly, and is louder. Better for use on your clitoris and it can also be felt slightly during penetration.
Vroom: 3 / 5
Bee: 2 / 5

Setting Three
- The fastest and strongest of the three similar settings. This is the loudest and is likely too intense for foreplay or for use on penises. of the three this is best for penetration if you like buzzy vibrations.
Vroom: 3 / 5
Bee: 3 / 5

Setting Four
- My favorite setting! This one is a sort of thumping vibration that slowly ascends and descends. This compliments thrusting nicely and is less buzzy than the previous three.
Vroom: 4 / 5
Bee: 2 / 5

Setting Five
- Another good one. This is like setting four but is constant instead of descending and ascending speed-wise. As a result it is less rumbly and a bit louder.
Vroom: 3 / 5
Bee: 3 / 5

Setting Six
- A faster version of the last one. I'm not so sure I like the increase in tempo with the pulses, but some might find it enjoyable. Like settings four and five, this one is suited to penetration.
Vroom: 2 / 5
Bee: 3 / 5

Setting Seven
- I have no idea what the heck is going on with this one. It seems like a random burst of short pulses followed by one long one. I didn't like it, but others might.
Vroom: 2 / 5
Bee: 3 / 5

Overall this toy is moderately noisy and moderately powerful. I think that makes this toy a good staple in your sex drawer. Underwater it works just as well, and is less noticeable (although the faster settings can still be heard). Try not to submerge for too long. Even though it has an o-ring to keep the inside compartment leak-free, you never know what could happen.

This was also amazing to use during partner play. When not being thrust it stayed in place very well, and it's ergonomic enough to never once cause me pain. My partner found the controls easy to use, and it was also easy to maneuver into exactly the right spot.

This is not the sort of material you can just lay down anywhere after use. It really needs to be washed right away unless you want to deal with a stinky, linty mess the next day.

"But how do you wash it?" you ask. Have no fear! There are many reasons why silicone is a favorite among many users, and one of those reasons has to do with how easy it is to take care of. You can use toy cleaning spray or wipes on it, or use a 10% bleach solution to sterilize. The material itself repels bacteria, so if you clean it after and before use it should stay good as new for years to come. If you are diligent in cleaning the white coloration should stay bright as well.

Once you're done wiping it off, you'll want a place to put this precious vibe. You should keep away from other silicone toys and it should stay away from glass to prevent scratching. The different silicone toys can react to each other and warp. You should keep it in its own pouch (it doesn't come with one but they're easy to find or make yourself). For added security, get something with a bit of padding, even if you do not plan on moving it much from your bedside table. You never know when something could get knocked over, and that layer could be the difference between life and death for your toy.

Lubricant is another matter of life and death for this model. Water-based works best, and do NOT use this with silicone-based lube. It will ruin your toy. Please be careful when selecting one to use, and always make sure to read the labels fully before use.

The toy comes loose in a white box matching others in the same line. The box is not much longer than the toy, but it is quite a bit wider. I was rather upset by this fact, and the film sleeve that it came in. The box also arrived dented. I shutter to think what could have happened if this sort of shoddy packing had been sent overseas. You could use this to store the toy, but it isn't something I would recommend. A well-fitted toy bag would be a much better fit for such a purportedly-upper-class object. Recycling the box would be best once you've received it.

If you were looking to give this as a gift to someone I would wrap it up first or add a bow to give it a little spice. The labeling and design is very basic, not modern, and a little overt. It gives you a real-size version of what the toy looks like, a list of features and a little bit of self-marketing all over. If you were looking to keep this toy hidden you will not be able to do so in this packaging.

No instructions or batteries were included with this toy.

This is my first ever non-bullet vibrator, and I could not be happier about my choice. It is neither too big nor too small, and it works well in a ton of situations. All the settings let me settle on something that really worked for me, and it is has helped be discover what I enjoy. This toy has brought me closer to orgasm than any other has!