A good lube will get the job done, but the best lubricants for women will make you feel like you just stepped out of a steamy, luxurious bath. And whether you want to add a little slip ‘n slide to your sex life or need lube for medical reasons, there’s no better time to buy one than right before Valentine’s Day.
Not all lubes are created equal. You’ve got your silicone- and water-based versions, ones with coconut oil, and even organic and vegan options. And like seemingly every other wellness product on the market, if you’re a fan of CBD, there’s a lubricant for that too. Seriously, the options are endless—especially now that new brands are making the packaging look just as good as the formulas feel. To save you time, we’ve narrowed it down to the 13 best lubricants for women based on their biggest fans.
Some reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Kate Spade Surprise Sale comes around every so often, but this time it’s back and bigger than ever. Right about now you may be coming up with your Cyber Weekend strategy, but thanks to Kate Spade’s early deals, you can easily (and affordably) get ahead of the Black Friday shopping rush with some seriously good finds. For a limited time, you can shop hundreds (yes, hundreds) of pieces up to 75% off.
From classic bags to party-ready dresses and versatile work pieces, there are so many gems on sale until December 2 (with free shipping on orders over $99!). To keep you from endlessly scrolling, we scoured the Kate Spade Surprise Sale for the very best pieces you need to shop right now. Whether you’re in the market for a glittering cross-body or a plush teddy coat, there’s something for you below. See what we’re scooping up before the sale ends, ahead.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
With so many things on sale this Amazon Prime Day it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This year they’ve got incredible deals on luxury beauty products (hello Olaplex hair treatment), fashion finds on brands we didn’t realize they had (Kate Spade! Stuart Weitzman! Levis!) and so many good things under $50 (yes, we’re going to go ahead and buy this dress in every color). But when it comes down to it the best thing about Amazon Prime Day isn’t the flashy stuff, it’s the essentials.
Sure, wardrobe staples never get the credit they deserve. A plain white tank top will never be nearly as exciting as a pair of tie-dye shorts but they’re something you need in your closet forever. Luckily Amazon is the best place to stock up on everything from plain tanks to high waisted leggings to comfortable sandals. On Amazon Prime Day a lot of those wardrobe essentials are seriously marked down so we’ve rounded up the best 15 wardrobe essentials worth stocking up on below.
Until recently I was among the percentage of individuals who believed that, to experience a mind-blowing orgasm, one needed a partner. Then I bought my first vibrator.
The idea of purchasing a sex toy occurred to me when I began brainstorming methods to spice up my three-year relationship with my boyfriend at the time. Our sex life had been fulfilling, but lately it felt as if we had entered into an alternate sexless universe void of any creativity or zest. I wanted to breathe new life into our bedroom and return to a state of mutual passion and excitement.
As a sex-toy virgin, I wasn’t sure where to begin; I was overwhelmed by the sheer variety of vibrators on the market. A plethora of shapes, sizes, and colors awaited me online, all promising swift transportation to a magical realm of pleasure. Eventually, after hours of rigorous analysis, I settled on the Ina 2 Rabbit from Lelo. I chose it primarily because of the rave reviews, but also because of the clitoral and G-spot stimulation it promised. The moment I finalized my purchase, I got an instant rush of excitement. This small purple silicone device was going to be the ammo that sparked animation back into our sex life. I was certain of it.
Unfortunately, three days before my new vibrator arrived in the mail, my boyfriend and I got into an explosive argument and called our relationship quits. I guess some problems are so big even the promise of really good sex can’t fix them. When the package finally arrived on my doorstep, I wasn’t excited. I was angry, frustrated, hurt, and sad—the emotions washed over me like a wave.
But the crying eventually subsided, and in its place, a new feeling: curiosity.
My new vibrator was patiently waiting inside its matte black box. When I opened it, I was met with a surge of hope—and another familiar feeling further south. At first I was nervous. All I really knew was penile penetration. How would the soft purple nubs of the Rabbit compare? Would it feel the same? Would I be able to achieve an actual orgasm? Would I turn into Charlotte York, becoming insatiably addicted to the toy and locking myself in my apartment for days?
There was only one way to find out. So I took the plunge.
I’m not going to lie, using a vibrator for the first time took a bit of getting used to. But after playing with the settings and figuring out which vibration mode I preferred, I was able to find that sweet spot. When I had my first orgasm with the vibrator, it was one of the most gratifying sensations: Suddenly gone were the crappy one-night stands and wondering when my next orgasm would occur. Not only was I able to reach an earth-shattering climax that lasted for what felt like an hour, but I was able to engineer that orgasm without the assistance of a man. There is something deliciously satisfying in taking control of my own pleasure and being able to experience a toe-curling orgasm whenever I want.
I realize a sex toy can’t replace the intimacy you experience with another person in the room. But enjoying partnered sex doesn’t mean sacrificing pleasure merely because you’re alone—I enjoy masturbating with my vibrator and sex with an actual partner. Sometimes it’s healthy to step back and explore what real pleasure means to you.
Since purchasing my vibrator, I’ve never felt more empowered. In the beginning of this breakup, I honestly felt lost. I thought it would take a while before I experienced genuine, heart-racing pleasure. But thanks to a little battery-operated device, I’m able to have incredible sex with someone I truly love, respect, and admire. How many individuals can say the same?
Sandra Rose Salathe is a writer and die-hard feminist residing in Washington, D.C.
Although I was born on the cusp of Gen Z, I identify with a lot of millennial stereotypes. I have social anxiety, a baby pink Away suitcase (totally worth the money, IMO), and I’m addicted to my phone. Recently I’ve fallen into another trope newly associated with my generation: I’ve become a plant mom.
I’m certainly not alone in this obsession. In 2016 more than 5 million millennials took up gardening for the first time, according to the National Gardening Survey. And in 2017 the number of 18- to 34-year-olds who bought plants reached an all-time high. Altogether, the gardening industry raked in a record $47.8 billion last year. It could be Instagram or a growing interest in our health as more studies are confirming the benefits of houseplants, but plants are now as much a millennial status symbol as Glossier and weighted blankets.
My journey started slow, a succulent here and there to make my college dorm feel more homey. When I moved into my first apartment, I adopted a tall leafy plant that I found on the street. In hindsight, this was probably a terrible idea, but what first-apartment decoration really ever is? Now in my current place, cacti and small palms line the windowsill in my living room. Flowers from Trader Joe’s cover my kitchen table, bedroom, and living room. A bodega bamboo plant sits on my dresser among my collection of perfume bottles and vintage ashtrays, and a planter shaped like a young pope holds an ivy plant on the window by my bed.
With every big, waxy Monstera leaf or pint-size succulent that flickered across my feed, my inner green thumb ached.
Before I knew it, my house held almost as many plants as pairs of shoes, and I couldn’t pop into a bodega or Trader Joe’s (two of my favorite spots for affordable plants) without leaving sans greenery. To be completely honest, the reason I first become a plant hoarder is the same (embarrassing) reason I make most of my decisions these days: Instagram. I follow more models and It Girls than people I know in real life, and it no longer felt like enough just to dress like them, I wanted to live like them too.
With every big, waxy Monstera leaf or pint-size succulent that flickered across my feed, my inner green thumb ached. I didn’t even know I had it, in fact, until literally all I could think about were plants. How would a cactus look in that corner? Ooh, what about a palm over there? I wondered as I aimlessly scrolled away, designing in my head to try an emulate the apartments I lusted over online. For every selfie posted with a lush green leaf in the background, I picked up another bouquet in hopes that it would make me more like the person I wanted to be.
Of course, that’s not how it works. Buying more plants didn’t make me more photogenic or outgoing—but it did make me feel like an adult who has her shit together. Instead of spending money on a quick thrill like a new lipstick or sweater I’ll wear once, I was purchasing something beautiful for my home. Studies have shown that houseplants can make us feel calmer and reduce toxins in the air. I’d like to think that’s mostly true. There really is something cozy and relaxing about being surrounded by greenery, especially when you get so little of that living in a city.
My plant purchasing habits also made me feel responsible in a way I never have before by giving me something to take care of. I’m not quite ready for a pet, and kids are way far off in my future—if at all—but I still have that maternal ache to care for something. Enter my collection of house plants. They don’t have names, but I lovingly refer to all of them as “she.” They give me something to tend to; plus, they help make my small, cluttered apartment feel a little more like a sanctuary.
PHOTO: Bella Cacciatore
My non-Insta material dresser—despite the plants
The problem is I’m a terrible plant mom. About 70 percent of the plants I bring into my apartment die within two months. Buying the plants only gives me the illusion of responsibility, but I have absolutely no follow-through. I’m awful at remembering to water them. Thankfully, my boyfriend is much more attentive, and I credit him for keeping our plants alive at all. My apartment has very little natural light and is shared by five people, so it’s super crowded and things are constantly being moved around. This isn’t a great environment for plants to flourish, and my apartment is often so messy that caring for them seems pointless. It’s not having them there magically transforms my space into an Instagram apartment.
And still, I continue to buy them. The initial thrill is so good that I convince myself this time will be different—this is the plant that will beat all the odds and live. But I’ve had to set a few ground rules. I won’t spend more than $20 on a plant (my boyfriend doesn’t follow this rule, though, so we have a few plants from The Cactus Store), and I tend to stick to succulents or cacti since they require less attention.
Although I longingly scroll through The Sill’s Instagram, I will not invest in a plant from them until I prove to myself I have the skills to care for it. Instead, I stick to corner stores and the local greenmarket. If I’m looking for something a little more interesting, I’ll splurge a bit at Rosehip and Other Times, which are both in my neighborhood and have reasonably priced plants. And for those not in NYC, obviously Urban cornered that market quick. (There’s an entire “Grow Shop” section on its website.) I’ve found I’m more likely to keep something alive if I keep it in a cute vessel—that way it feels more permanent—so I buy vintage planters and vases on Etsy as motivation.
Even though I’ve proved myself time and time again an unfit plant mom, I won’t let it stop me. The allure that, if I could just take care of it, I could be the woman I’m meant to be is too strong. Maybe one day.
Bella Cacciatore is a beauty assistant at Glamour.
Fashion Week surprises usually tend to be focused around designers leaving their posts or assuming new ones, but this season, changes are happening at the highest level at two of the most well-known fashion houses. Michael Kors has announced that it’s set to acquire Versace for approximately $2.12 billion, Business of Fashion reports. The sale is expected to close in late 2019.
Though it may seem like a surprising pairing, it’s part of a larger, ongoing effort on Kors’ part to build a U.S.-based luxury powerhouse, like a stateside version of LVMH (the conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Christian Dior, among others) or Kering (parent company of Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and more). Last summer, the company bought Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion, according to the New York Times. With this acquisition, it competes with Tapestry (owner of Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman) and PVH Corp. (which operates Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.)
PHOTO: Pietro D’aprano
With Versace under its belt, Michael Kors Holdings Limited will be renamed Capri Holdings, a reference to “the fabled island which has long been recognized as an iconic, glamorous, and luxury destination,” according to a statement from the company. Jonathan Akeroyd and Donatella Versace will remain chief executive and creative director of Versace, respectively. Santo, Donatella’s brother, and Allegra, her daughter, will have a stake in Capri—which, the designer told Business of Fashion, “demonstrates our belief in the long-term success of Versace and commitment to this new global fashion luxury group.”
“The acquisition of Versace is an important milestone for our group,” John Idol, chief executive officer of Michael Kors, told Bloomberg. “We are committed to investing in its growth.”
PHOTO: Raymond Hall
Capri Holdings’ plan for Versace is to grow its retail business (from 200 to 300 stores globally), expand its e-commerce, and increase its accessories and footwear business (from its current 35 percent to 60 percent), per Business of Fashion. So fans of the Italian brand’s aesthetic needn’t worry: The rococo-meets-’90s look that has made its most recent collections Instagram sensations will remain, with Donatella still at the helm. (In 2017, Gianni Versace SpA reported 686 million euros in revenue and a return to profit, according to Bloomberg.)
Naturally, the public has strong opinions about the news.
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