I'll admit it: I was a skeptic. I've been disappointed by vibrator sleeves in the past, and my expectations were pretty low for them when this toy arrived. For me, they've frequently turned out to be much better in theory than in practice because too often they're made from materials that are too soft for my taste, and wind up sacrificing most of the vibration power for flexibility. They make a great teaser, but don't manage to do much else by themselves.

The Dandelion, though, was a pleasant surprise. Straight out of the box it was disarmingly cute, like what you might get if Pixar went into the sex toy business. If you slapped a pair of googly eyes on it, it'd make a really neat desk ornament, but that would be a waste. Once put to use, the Dandelion continued to impress. The elastomer (a blend of elastic and polymers) used to make it translates into a more solid, firm texture, while still being soft to the touch. The spines are more flexible than the body of the sleeve, but the sheer number of them packed onto this toy gives them an added structural integrity. The product description says that the Dandelion will give you a "wonderful tickling sensation," but don't be fooled; it's also fully capable of translating the higher range of your favorite vibe.

The downside to this material is that its decreased flexibility limits its range of possible vibrator match-ups. While the product description specifically mentions the WaterDancer and Titan, however, I had great luck with pairing it with a simple egg-shaped vibe. With a fairly set 1" diameter, it won't fit everything in your collection, certainly, but it is a bit more versatile than you might think. I'd recommend trying it out with more than one vibe, and for added fun, with a variety of motions. In particular, the spines make a twisting motion directly on the clit all kinds of interesting, but go to town finding your own favorite. Elastomer can't be boiled, however, so you will need to wash this toy well with antibacterial soap and use a condom if you intend to share.