To celebrate National Orgasm Day, sex toy brand Lelo set up an O-face photo booth in a London park on 31 July.
The event took place at Boxpark Shoreditch, in a hipster neighbourhood of London.
For the occasion, participants were invited to simulate their best orgasm and capture the moment with a photo, printed on the spot. Lelo also handed out their Hex condoms.
The inspiration behind this incongruous photo session? A recent study on British people’s orgasms.
Insecurities about your O-face?
Indeed, 64% of Brits admit to having faked an orgasm at some point. Up to that point, nothing particularly surprising. “At some point” means at least once in your life: no need to make a big deal out of a relatively harmless act.
However, the motivation behind this choice to fake it is a bit more unsettling. Because for 49% of the fakers, it was to avoid showing their true O-face to their partner. For fear of pulling an ugly face. Denying yourself an orgasm for the sake of aesthetics is a bit of a shame, isn’t it?
The study also revealed that 51% of people who worry about their facial expressions during sex reach orgasm less than half the time. In short: insecurities tend to ruin the pleasure.
Someone who’s orgasming is exciting to watch
And yet, no matter how often we say it, someone who’s orgasming is beautiful and exciting to watch.
Your features contort into an incongruous grimace, yes, and that’s the case for everyone. Half-closed eyes, a slightly parted mouth and a serene expression belong to the realm of rosy erotic films. But even if in that moment you’re far from the marble face of an ancient statue, you’re beautiful precisely because you’re expressive.
And watching your partner’s expression transform into a face they wouldn’t want to show their baker (unless they have a non-ambiguous relationship with said baker) is an extremely flattering privilege.
Many people seek more authenticity in the erotica they watch. That’s why camgirl shows and feminist porn generate so much enthusiasm. In contrast to big mainstream productions, which often feel contrived, they show orgasm in its true light, and in all its splendour.
