Contrary to what the name would indicate, Kama Sutra Oil of Love is not made of Oil (with the exception of a bit of cinnamon oil that gives the product its warming properties). It is a water-based flavored syrup (for lack of a better term) which you apply to your partner's skin for a sensual effect. Blowing on it activates the warming feeling, which is quite nice, and it tastes good enough to lick off. While it has a smooth, liquidy consistency, it should not be used as a lubricant because it contains sugar content, which is bad for vaginas. It works well on penises and nipples in my opinion, but can be used all over. It also can become quite sticky, so I would suggest applying only as much as you wish to lick off at one time.

The Original flavor is deep green in color, sweet, a little spicy, a tiny bit bitter and a lot chocolatey. The cinnamon oil feels warm on the tongue, but not unpleasantly so. I first used this product in 1994 (see the "experience" section) and I don't remember it tasting so much like chocolate. It's not the first note that hits the tongue, but the scent/aftertaste smells a lot like Hershey's syrup in a way I don't remember. Did they change the formula, or has my palate changed? Either way, I find I am not so crazy about the taste these days. It's better than those brightly colored fruit flavored lubes, but it's still a bit too sugary and candy-like for me. I'd like something a little more natural/exotic flavored (the way I remember it tasting, I guess.)

I really love the packaging and I think it's something that sets it apart from similar products. The "oil" comes in a small clear glass bottle, with a real cork stopper, and an exotic-looking gold, black and red floral-patterned label. The deep green liquid looks very compelling inside. The size is travel friendly, though I'd be concerned about it leaking or breaking.

I really adored this product as a teenager as a sort of "gateway" into exploring sensual play. However, as a very advanced kinkster in my 30s, I find it a bit tame for my tastes. I have used it in an S&M context (as a way of teasing and pleasuring a submissive) but if you're looking for a seriously heating product you may want to just use a tiny dab of pure cinnamon oil instead. This is a great beginner level product, or a useful way to introduce a little more romance and sensuality into a relationship, but it's not something I'll see myself using on a regular basis at this point in my life.

As a teenager, occasionally my friends and I would finagle a college aged friend into buying us Boone's Country Farm Wine. You know, that stuff that costs $2 and tastes like Koolaid, and is maybe 2% malt liquor? I really can't imagine drinking it anymore, but I have so many fond memories of climbing on top of the giant fiberglass whale in front of the Lawrence Hall of Science to drink Boone's while listening to cassette tapes on someone's boom box. Kama Sutra Oil of Love is the same way. A sophisticated older friend (RIP, bless her soul) gifted me with a tiny bottle of original formula Kama Sutra Oil of Love when I was 14. My virginal boyfriend and I would put it on our arms and blow on it and lick it off, which felt incredibly naughty but in reality we hadn't made it to second base yet. I remember it tasting sweet, but also a little herbal and bitter. I am not sure if they changed the formula, because it just smells like chocolate sauce to me now. Did they change the flavor, or has my palate simply matured?

I swear, the more I smell this, the more icky the chocolate smell becomes, which means I barely use it anymore. Kama Sutra: please create a warming oil that is just plain cinnamon flavor, and I promise I'll love you forever! XO, Bianca