Lelo's Luna Beads Noir is a set of Kegel exerciser balls, each with an internal ball that rolls, or rattles, with movement. The internal movement is supposed to act as a reminder to do those Kegels! These are the same size as the Luna Beads Mini, but in a heavier weight. I had never used Kegel exerciser balls before, and while I was initially put off by their girth, when I used them I found them to be perfectly comfortable, so I'd say they're great for beginners and intermediate folks alike. Advanced users may want to look for a set that are heavier weight. The first time I put them in, I had a hard time keeping them there, but within a couple of days I found I could wear them for hours at a time. It is not unusual for me to keep them in for an entire day now. I would not recommend these for anal use since there is really nothing to keep them from disappearing.

The harness is made of 100% silicone, is flexible, and has a velvety-soft feel to it. The beads themselves are encased in glossy hard plastic with "Lelo" printed on one side. There is a slight rattle to them, and I find that that they are audible in extremely quiet situations, but I don't think they are loud enough to be distracting. I found no discernible smell on either of them.

Being relatively new to Kegel exercisers, and something of a traditionalist, I liked the design of the Lunas a lot. The two balls can be used individually or together, with or without the harness, and I thought that gave them more variety to work with, as well as allowing individuals to tailor them to their needs. Personally, I like to use the crown bead (the one with the string) alone, or the set in the harness. My muscles tend to be quite tight, and I was concerned I'd have difficulty with removal, and I just didn't want to bother. I didn't like the look of Smartballs or most other Kegel instruments, so the Lunas were an obvious choice for me, given their simple and sleek design. For most women, I think the size and shape will be just fine--they are easy enough to insert with a little bit of water-based lubricant. The beads are just under 4" in circumference. Women with vaginismus or similar conditions, and women who are trying to regain muscle strength after childbirth, may want to look elsewhere, as these beads are small but not tiny.

If people are not familiar with Ben Wa balls or Kegel exercisers, I think the Luna beads are somewhat discreet and would cause confusion more than obvious realization on the part of the viewer. I haven't traveled with these but I would like to give them a try. I think they could make long plane, train, or car rides that much more interesting.

Each ball weighs 37 grams or 1.3 ounces.



You can see the internal balls in the above picture also.

I think this product is the most fun when wearing the crown bead alone. I feel like the Luna beads rattle less when they are in their harness, perhaps because they are reigned in and held more in one place by the silicone. I found that the weight was not at all a problem for me after the first couple days, and as a result it doesn't seem to make much difference whether I wear one bead or two. My biggest gripe with them is that although the beads are the same weight as the heavier ones in the Luna Mini set, they are still too light to really make me work. I have tried to make them more useful by inserting them and then periodically pulling on the string so that I have to use my muscles to keep them in.

The balls themselves have indentations that line up with the curve of the harness for a more secure fit. Lining the harness up properly with these grooves will not only keep the balls in place better, but also make cleaning easier. I make sure I pop the beads out of their harness after use so I can really get into the crevices. Occasionally fluid will get between the silicone and plastic, so it's important to take the beads out and clean them thoroughly. The plastic beads do have a seam that runs over them, which with regular cleaning should not be a problem but is something to be aware of. I've had a little trouble with fluids getting trapped along the edges of the harness or between the attached nylon cord on the crown bead. Soap and warm water usually do the job just fine, but every now and again I like to spritz them with antibacterial toy spray. I was originally storing them in the lelo box they came in, but now that I have more toys I keep them in the drawstring pouch Lelo provides. Because the harness is made of silicone, I would not recommend using a silicone-based lubricant, as this could cause the silicone to get tacky. There should be no compatibility problems with water-based lubricants.

Lelo has legendary packaging, and the Luna Beads Noir were done in the same quality and elegance I've come to expect from the brand. The outer box is glossy and has a picture of the beads on each side. The front reads "sensual pleasures & fitness combined" and "World's Bestselling Ben Wa Balls for Living the Fantasy". I read another review that claimed the Noir edition was inspired by the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, although I haven't confirmed that for myself.

The internal packaging consists of a fairly hard black box with LELO embossed on the front. The Luna beads sit on the right in curved and flocked packaging, and on the left there is a bit of card stock (also embossed with LELO) that hides the user manual, 1-year warranty card, and satin travel pouch. This would make a truly decadent gift to give to someone special.

While I have not had difficulty keeping these in after the first day, I have noticed improvement with bladder control. The jury is still out as to whether or not these have improved my orgasms, but it's nice to know that there are changes happening.