I've tried other cooling/tingling lubes in the past and loved them, so when I saw Durex Play Tingling on the shelf at my favorite grocery store I was really excited. Unfortunately for me, “tingling” equaled horrific burning pain.

The bottle has a pump top that can be locked into position by turning; however, this doesn't prevent the bottle from leaking if it is not stored upright. I have had other lubes with this type of pump top and loved that I could just toss them in the drawer, in a baggie, with no worries. Durex Tingling leaked through the baggie and all over the drawer. The lube hasn't been in my drawer in a couple of months and my whole bedroom still smells of menthol when I open the drawer.

Durex Play Tingling is a silicone lube made of “Dimethicone, Flavor and Menthol.” It is silky to the touch and a little goes a long way, but it just won't wash off. When I got the bottle out to review it, I got some on my fingers. I vigorously washed my hands with hot soap and water, paying particular attention to the lubed finger tips – yet when I touched my eye over 15 minutes later I still wound up with menthol in my eye. Nice.

The bottle says it is safe for condom use, and to apply it after the condom is already on. I didn't have a reason or chance to use this with a condom.

The bottle also says it can be used as a massage lotion. According to the bottle, the menthol concentrate is 2.6mg/ml in the 1.67 fl oz. bottle. It is so concentrated I couldn't use it as a massage lotion because the menthol smell was overpowering. It does not have a "sensual minty scent" as the bottle describes - well, unless you just really love the smell of menthol. The smell actually makes my stomach turn a little.

The first time I used this lube I put a little on my finger tip and touch it to my clit. At first I felt a nice cooling sensation, but within a couple of minutes I started feeling a burning sensation – not the pleasant kind. I leapt from the bed, ran to the bathroom and held the shower head between my legs – again, not in the pleasant way. I used some mild soap and a wash cloth and scrubbed myself furiously. I got out of the shower, thinking I had gotten it all off of me, and sat down on the toilet to pee. A series of explicatives exploded from my mouth when my urine started flowing. It was like my pee was gasoline on the fire and tears slipped from my eyes.

For some reason I thought I should give Durex Play Tingling another try. I don't know what I was thinking. I suppose it was a combination of my refusal to accept I wasted money combined with a real desire to feel the tingling/cooling sensations I have felt with other lubes. Whatever the motivations, I should have known better.

The second time I used this, I made sure I was already very lubricated from my own natural wetness first. I was already using a vibe for vaginal penetration and wanted just a little extra sensation on my clit. I pumped one pump worth amount on my finger tip, touched my finger to a towel to get rid of most of it, and then touched my clit. It was surprisingly nice, until a little bit got into the entrance of my vagina and I was suddenly transported into the hellish world of burning crotch pain again.

There is absolutely no way I am going to use this as a lubricate for penetration.

So I tossed this lube in a baggie and threw it in the drawer. I'm not sure why I didn't throw it away. I really just hate throwing things away when I pay good money for them. Now that I have menthol in my eye I have enough motivation to throw this stuff away.