First things first: even though this is listed as 'warming' this product actually provides a cool sensation.
I'll call it by the name on the bottle, "Stimulating". I have used this product by myself, with a male partner and that male partner has used it by himself. I hope to provide a thorough review with different points of view!



This product would be great for those who love the Sliquid Organics line for its ingredients (or lack thereof), want a distinct sensation of coolness, and would like to have a fair amount of the stuff. Additionally, this product is water-based, which means that it is compatible with all toys and is easily cleaned off yourself, partners or any 'extras' used.

Unfortunately, Sliquid Stimulating absorbs when in use and will not function as a lubricant. I found using another product in conjunction was necessary if I wanted the wet feeling I expected from using this product.

One unexpected side effect I found, as a woman, was that this product delayed my orgasm but increased its strength. It definitely didn't prevent me from having an orgasm and the sensation was overcome with a little effort, and it was well worth it. Between the two of us, my partner felt it affected him less strongly than myself. This makes some sense to me, since mucous membranes tend to be more sensitive than even thin skin.

I would rate Stimulating as a 4 or a 5 on a scale of 5 -- 1 being very faint, 6 being 'get it off me!'. Sliquid Stimulating wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely loud and clear. Keep in mind it's also concentration-dependent: add more to feel more, add less to feel less.

My guy says: I prefer Sliquid Satin and the Gel as lubricants, but Stimulating offered something different. It definitely felt minty to me, so I think warming is a misnomer. I felt the most cooling sensation on the head, since the skin is the thinnest there. Upon application, it feels fairly intense -- about 4/5. It's worth the buy, because it offers something new and Sliquid one of the best lubes out there.

Out of the bottle, this Sliquid lube feels similar in consistency to the Sliquid Satin. It's a bit thinner than the Sliquid Organics gel, but still slick without feeling oily. It's wet without being runny. Compared to other lubes, it stays in place quite well, but not as well as the Organics Gel.



I chose to compare Stimulating to 2 other Sliquid lubes (Satin and Organics gel), another clitoral gel (Intimate Organics Gentle) and one normal lube (Wet! Original). Check out the drip test, which looks at thickness and consistency:



I would say Stimulating and Sliquid Organics Gel feel the thickest between your fingers. In the drip test, they look about the same under the power of gravity.

The Sliquid Organics line doesn't drop the ball when it comes to lubes that are comfortable for all your senses. Stimulating, like Organics Gel, has absolutely no taste. Stimulating should, therefore, be good for oral sex. Be warned, however, that using Stimulating in junction with saliva (or other products) will dilute it and its effects.

Stimulating has a slight scent: somewhat medicinal, a bit like cough drops. You can only smell it straight out of the bottle, when you have about 4 ounces sitting under your nose -- rest assured that the smell is very faint in use and it's certainly not cloying or gross. When you spread it between your fingers, Stimulating has no smell.

Stimulating is quite thick, but it absorbs very well into the skin with use. Check out some skin tests:

After about 3 minutes, this is what Sliquid Stimulating looks like on my hand:



Even after 10 minutes, Stimulating is still a gel on my hand. It's not tacky to the touch, still fairly liquid and moveable. Check out the after 10 minutes picture, after spreading it out a bit:



After 20, yes! 20 minutes, Sliquid Stimulating appears to be absorbed into my skin.



I would say that in actual use, Stimulating lasts less time than this. With friction and being exposed to a greater surface area of skin, Stimulating absorbs faster. I would suggest using another lube along with Stimulating, after giving it some time to soak in, so you can feel the cooling effect.

The Cooling Effect:
As I've said before, despite being listed as 'Warming', Stimulating is actually a cooling sensation due to the ingredient menthol. This is the same compound in mint and anything mint-flavored that makes it feel 'cold'.

How does your body feel the cooling effect of Sliquid Stimulating? You body senses chemical 'temperatures' like hot chili peppers and mints with chemical temperature receptors, which are proteins on your skin cells that are specific to the different chemicals. The receptor that interacts with menthol is called CMR-1 (cold menthol receptor 1). Other chemicals that give a cool feeling are eucalyptol, which is a common ingredient in cough drops.

These same receptors can be simultaneously stimulated by actual cool temperatures to create a synergistic effect, which is why brushing your teeth with something that tastes minty and then taking a drink of ice water feels really cold!

Ingredients:
Water: as the first ingredient, that's a good sign!
Plant cellulose: this is used as a binding and thickening agent.
Tocopherol: vitamin E, just like it says on the label. I appreciate this.
Cyamoposis: also called guar gum, it's used as a thickening agent in many food and cosmetic products.
Extracts of hibiscus, flax, green tea, sunflower seed: these speak for themselves -- at least it's obvious what they are, unlike a chemical name, but I'm not sure what the real benefits of these extracts are.
Menthol: the cooling agent.
Citric acid: used in food and cosmetics, citric acid acts as a preservative.
Phenoxyethanol: a mild bactericide.

I love the Sliquid bottles. You get a fair amount in a sturdy bottle that's not garish or ridiculous. It does say that it's a lubricant so it's not discreet, but in a classy way?




Applicator tip:
As you can see, Stimulating comes in a bottle with a wedge applicator, a bit like shampoo. The bottle is fairly easy to squeeze, but still sturdy enough to not have to worry about in a purse or suitcase.