We have already tested the Tailbud, a rather unusual Rosebuds, since this anal plug was decorated with horsehair to imitate a horse’s tail, much to the delight of pet play enthusiasts. I really liked this toy, and was keen to try a more classic sex toy from the same brand.
Now I’ve had the chance, thanks to online shop Charme de Luxe, which let us test the Rosebuds Cristal, an insertable anal jewel decorated with a Swarovski crystal.
Rosebuds erotic jewellery has an excellent reputation, particularly in the BDSM scene. Knowing that, my expectations for this sex toy are pretty high.
Let’s see whether the Rosebuds Cristal lives up to them.
Sex toy packaging
Like the Tailbud, the Rosebuds Cristal arrives in very simple packaging: a clear plastic bag contains the sex toy, along with a fabric pouch, decorated with the brand’s logo, which serves as its case. The whole lot is wrapped in bubble wrap and packed into a small, well-padded parcel.
In short, the item was at no risk during transit, and once unpacked, there’s somewhere to store it that doesn’t take up too much space. A few more frills on the packaging might have been nice, but they weren’t essential.
The sex toy
What the Rosebuds Cristal looks like
The Rosebuds Cristal comes in various sizes, from S to XL (there’s also a model called “Big Bud”, which corresponds to size XXL), and in various colours.
We received the Volcano model, in size L. Its insertable part measures 6.5 centimetres, of which 4 cm is the bulbous section; its widest point is around 3 cm in diameter.
The crystal’s reflections change colour depending on the angle from which you look at the Rosebuds: you can see shades of blue, yellow, orange, pink… There are no visible flaws; it’s all very pretty and gives an overall impression of good quality.
Texture and material
The main part, including the insertable section, is made of stainless steel. You can easily play around with temperatures using this material, simply by dipping the sex toy in hot or cold water. For its size, the Rosebuds has some heft.
The crystal is a Swarovski crystal: that is, a mixture of glass and lead in very precise proportions (patented by the Austrian company Swarovski).
Inserting and wearing the Rosebuds Cristal
The Rosebuds Cristal is inserted into the anus. It’s primarily decorative, but it can also serve as a more conventional plug.
The Tailbud we tested previously was also size L. So the dimensions of the Rosebuds Cristal we received, which is also size L, are exactly the same. In short, size L isn’t all that big.
It’s very easy to insert, as long as you remember to apply a little lubricant beforehand. As well as making insertion easier, it increases comfort while wearing it by preventing any overly pronounced internal friction. You can choose whichever lubricant you like: water-, oil- or silicone-based, the stainless steel that makes up the Rosebuds’ insertable egg is compatible with them all. We used silicone-based Pjur Back Door.
It’s comfortable to wear: I can sit down and walk around with the Rosebuds in my bottom without any discomfort. I was worried that the disc formed by the crystal at the entrance to the anus might feel a little awkward between my cheeks, but in fact, I barely notice it’s there.
When to use a Rosebuds
We took turns wearing it during dominance/submission play.
The “decorative” aspect is fun, and adds a certain appeal to being displayed—or seeing your partner displayed—in a “humiliating” situation (I put the word in quotation marks because it’s only a game). Among other things, it looks very striking when someone wears it while walking on all fours.
Rosebuds Cristal and Njoy Pure Plug
I also wore it during vaginal penetration.
The plug’s presence in the anus presses against the front wall of the vagina, reducing the space available for the penis and putting pressure on it, forcing it to press more firmly against the “G-spot”.
Unlike the Tailbud, which can only be worn during nude sexual play because its “tail” sticks out, the Rosebuds Cristal can also be worn for longer periods, discreetly under clothes. It doesn’t cause any particular problems when walking.
Admittedly, if you look very, very closely, under very, very tight clothes, you might be able to make out the shape of the crystal. But with jeans, a skirt or ordinary trousers, there’s nothing to see. And it’s pretty comfortable.
Conclusion on the Rosebuds Cristal
The good points:
- The Rosebuds Cristal is very well made overall and seems sturdy.
- It’s comfortable to wear, fairly easy to insert, and wearing it for a long time doesn’t cause any discomfort.
- It’s very pretty and fairly simple, and works just as well for BDSM play as it does during more “ordinary” penetration.
The bad points:
- No particular drawbacks. However, it’s worth noting that this is a “classic” sex toy, with no gadget features likely to catch the attention of high-tech sex toy enthusiasts.
The Rosebuds Cristal belongs among the sex toy “classics”.
Halfway between a piece of jewellery and an anal plug, not too big and very pretty, it’s an enjoyable, playful sex toy that fits into all sorts of erotic games. I’d recommend it without hesitation to anyone who enjoys gentle anal play.
Review score
Pros
- Very pretty
- Comfortable and pleasant to wear
- Body-safe material
- Excellent build quality
- Made in France
Cons
- The round shape of its tip is not suitable for everyone
