Maximus, a water based lubricant by Bodywise Limited (the makers of Liquid Silk), brings us another fine product.

This is a thick, non-stringy water based lube with no glycerin that is fantastic for anal or vaginal sex, and especially in playing with sex toys. A little goes a long way and adds some fantastic slip and glide to completely eliminate any friction burn or irritation from dryness.

Because of it's thick composition and staying power, this lube is especially recommended for anal play, but because it is water-based may not be the best choice for playing with in the shower.

Maximus is suitable for use with any type of toy or condom.

The consistency of this product is thick; non-running and non-greasy. It stays where you put it. I find I only need a small drop on my finger to masturbate with and only slightly more to apply to a dildo or vibrator.

The pump allows for quick and easy elimination from the bottle; using a flip-top cap dispenser means you will be pressing hard on the bottle to expel because it just is that thick and for a water-based lube I am quite impressed by that.

It does not dissipate when applied to skin and does not feel sticky. It will dry the longer it is exposed to air and again once dry does not feel sticky or tacky - such an added bonus!

There is little to no aroma with this product. It is almost tasteless except for a slight fruitiness but I did get a bitterness in my mouth almost immediately. I would not put this lube in my mouth deliberately but it would not cause me to stop our sexual play if it somehow found its way there.

Maximus is very long-lasting. A small blob on my finger is typically all I need for solo play. For longer, extended play with another person and/or toys, one or two re-applications are required but the amount is minimal. It provides excellent glide and does not become sticky. I love the thickness of this product. There is nothing more irritating than dispensing lube onto your finger or toy and have it run off immediately. There can be so much waste with lube that is stringy or not thick, so Maximus is a huge bonus that way.

Some folks have noticed a burning sensation or irritation in using this product, perhaps because it does contain parabens. I have not had any irritation whatsoever and can tell you that is has greatly improved anal play for me and I think it is because of the thickness of this lube and that it stays where you put it.

It's important to find a lube that works well for your body, the type of play you wish to engage in and the products you want to use with it. Maximus works so well for me in all of these areas.

I typically cannot use lubes that have flavoring, I immediately get itchy. I also have not been that lucky with silicone lubes (I'm not sure what it is that irritates me in those type of products) and so many of my toys contain silicone anyhow so I would need an alternate lube anyway. I favor water-based lubes but those are not always the thickest or longest lasting and this has caused me discomfort in the past in attempting anal sex. I can definitely say that Maximus has increased my enjoyment around anal play and allowed me to relax right from the start, which is probably half the battle.

I am going to do a little more reading around lubes including organic products because it's important to be aware about what is going into your body, but right now Maximus is my go-to lube.

I have read some forum discussions where people have been concerned with expiration dates. The bottle I just received expires in 2014 and although Maximus is thick and requires less lube to be used per session, I do imagine I can work my way through this bottle in the next 3-4 years!