Below you’ll find tips on how to have the hottest summer sex from Bloomi founder Rebecca Alvarez Story, along with details on this growing sexual wellness company offering vibrators, lubricants, pleasure and massage oils, and so much more. And don’t miss Rebecca’s advice on how to boost your summer sex drive.
How did you first get the idea for Bloomi, and what ties all your products together?
Growing up, I rarely had conversations about intimacy or sexuality, which often led to confusion. In the Latine community, sex and sex education are oftentimes controversial or taboo topics, which makes it hard to navigate sex lives as adults.
This lack of education actually inspired me to study Sexual Wellness at UC Berkeley. I wanted to bridge the gap between sexual agency and sexual education because, in order to improve intimacy, you need access to the right resources.
I then spent a few years working as a researcher and product developer for prominent companies in the sexual wellness industry. Eventually, I became a Sexologist and after thousands of hours of coaching sessions, I was motivated to create Bloomi as a trusted destination for educational intimate care content and essentials for all bodies. It evolved into a brand that helps anyone feel confident by making smart and well-informed decisions about their sexual wellness.
I always wanted to overcome the idea that sexual satisfaction is difficult to discuss and hard to attain. The ultimate goal is for individuals to see their sexuality as a natural part of life and be comfortable talking about it, just as with any other health-related issue.
As for the second part of the question, we conduct comprehensive consumer and market research to understand the needs of consumers, specifically those who may be new to purchasing intimate products.
All of our products are body-safe and non-toxic and are using plant-based formulas that are free of vulvar allergens such as glycerin, gluten, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, alcohol, artificial dyes, and fragrances. We also design toys from non-toxic materials such as medical-grade silicone and stainless steel. And, our packaging is made with sustainable, compostable, and recyclable materials.
Are Bloomi’s products geared toward a specific gender or can they be used by all genders?
Some of our products are geared toward people with vulvas, such as our intimate care line. These are made of plant-based formulas that are free of intimate skin allergens, such as glycerin, gluten, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, alcohol, artificial dyes, and fragrances. The reason for this is that the skin on the vulva and vagina is extremely permeable because the cells in these areas are more loosely arranged to allow substances to penetrate the skin. Thus, any ingredients in products used in this sensitive area can enter the bloodstream in a matter of seconds.
However, at Bloomi, we’re highly committed to creating all-inclusive products that are intended to be used by everyone, no matter the gender, body type, and whether it’s solo-play or partnered sex.
Which Bloomi products have been your bestsellers, and why do you think that is?
My favorite collection of products, which happens to be our bestsellers, are our dual-use devices, such as Massage and Indulge. We’re one of few brands that use non-toxic 100% medical-grade silicone to design our toys. They have a soft, sensual feel that is very appealing to our ‘consubloommers’. The ergonomic design makes them not only easy to handle but also aesthetically pleasing. We’ve been told by many that they keep Massage sitting out on their desks and use it throughout the day to get kinks out of the neck and back!
You’ve developed both the Smooth water-based lube and the Delight oil-based lube, which is designed for extra sensitive skin or for people suffering from hormonal changes and induced dryness. Can you talk about the differences between these lubes and who may benefit from either?
When choosing the best personal lubricant for you, consider what your body needs and what feels good. Also, consider what you’ll be using the lube the most for – solo or partnered play, with toys, condoms, or for anal. While certain lubes can be used in most scenarios, usually, the best option will depend on the sexual act.
Bloomi’s Delight is a clean, oil-based personal lubricant to help you enjoy intimate moments. It is formulated for penile and/or vaginal application, intended to moisturize and lubricate, enhance the ease and comfort of intimate activity, and supplement the body’s natural lubrication. Oil-based lubricants are ideal for those who have sensitive skin, are prone to skin allergic reactions, or are experiencing vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes like menopause.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re using oil-based lube for anal sex is that it’s not compatible
with silicone toys or polyisoprene materials and latex condoms. In fact, oil-based products, in general, will damage and degrade silicone and latex materials over time, which increases the risk of a condom tearing or ruining your new vibrator. Lastly, because of its oily formula, cleanup may require a little more elbow grease, but you are safe just using soap and water. Moreover, oil-based lubes are more prone to staining clothing or bedding, so be careful and lay a towel down just in case.
Water-based lube is, in most cases, the best option for vaginal sex. Bloomi’s Smooth is a clean, water-based personal lubricant to help you enjoy intimate moments. It’s easy to clean up and won’t disturb the vaginal pH levels, which is great for those more sensitive and prone to yeast infections.
However, because of its H20 base, it typically dries up in about three to five minutes, so reapplication is key to keeping a nice slip to reduce the risk of vaginal tearing and condom breaking. Water-based lubricants are condom- and sex toy-friendly, so if you regularly use latex or polyisoprene condoms in your pleasure routine, be generous.
Bloomi developed and uses its Clean Standard regarding ingredients in your sexual wellness products. Can you tell us more about what this involves and why sticking to this standard is so important for Bloomi specifically and for the industry at large?
The sexual wellness industry is oversaturated with products that are made with ingredients that exacerbate intimate health issues. So we’ve focused our efforts on finding ways to sustainably harness the power of botanicals and provide clean and conscious solutions to our consumers. Therefore, we created the Bloomi Clean Standard, the only standard in the industry that helps consumers avoid the potential health risks of ingredient toxicity based on academic research and mutual partnerships with top sexual wellness experts. We also collaborate with top clean beauty chemists to ensure toxic ingredients don’t touch intimate areas.
When developing products we refer to our Yes and No lists. Our Yes list is composed of natural aphrodisiacs that contain nutrients that stimulate blood circulation, balance hormones, and soothe the skin, which is necessary for the body to experience arousal or sexual pleasure.
Our No list are ingredients that are banned from our products. Toxic substances such as Glycerin, Parabens, and Mineral Oils can irritate intimate skin, cause allergic reactions, lead to vaginal infections, or interfere with the body’s hormonal levels and reproductive processes. Moreover, many of them are harmful to the environment.
One thing that many players are missing in this industry is that inclusivity should be central to any conversations or innovations around intimacy. As a first-generation Latina wellness entrepreneur, inclusivity is central to my work and a cornerstone of Bloomi’s mission. BIPOC individuals are typically left out of a lot of narratives about personal pleasure. We have been largely ignored and so the majority of products available have not been developed with the unique needs of diverse bodies in mind.
Women of color, especially, are disproportionately impacted by toxic ingredients in products that exacerbate sexual health issues. Moreover, we are more likely to experience sexual trauma so need professionals and brands in the space to acknowledge and address the complexities of sexual wellness from our perspective.
What kinds of feedback have you gotten from customers? Has any of that feedback affected the choices you make for the boxes?
Customer reviews are one of my favorite parts of having a business, I really enjoy hearing how a collection of products can improve mind-body connection, relationships, or just simply joy in their life. Bloomi Beta, Bloomi’s testing program is a community that has really provided amazing feedback on our beta products, including some exciting packaging decisions.
How has the sex toy and sexual wellness landscape changed since you got into the business? What keeps you inspired to continue innovating in this space?
When I first started Bloomi, there was a lot of hesitation from retailers and investors to enter the category. However, fast forward five years later, we have witnessed a significant transformation in terms of the growing interest and capital being invested in this space. From a consumer perspective, people have become more curious and, particularly after COVID, less shy about expressing their desires, exploring their sexuality, and actively seeking out sexual wellness brands that resonate with what they love. What continues to inspire me to innovate in the sexual wellness space is knowing how important clean intimate care is and how little of it is on the shelves.
With summer in full swing, do you have any summer sex tips for our readers?
I know summer can be a very demanding period with all of the events happening and all that sunshine making you want to spend all day, every day outside. However, it’s important to relax and stay stress-free once in a while. Stress can have a negative effect on a lot of aspects of health, including sex drive. It can affect sexual dissatisfaction and drop your libido. Increasing the production of the hormone cortisol in the body can limit sex hormones, resulting in lower libido.
Another piece of advice is to stay fit. In general, fitness can lead to more frequent and intense orgasms. If a person exercises often, it could lead to a stronger core, pelvic floor, and leg muscles. The stronger these muscles are, the more intense your orgasms can be. It can improve your endurance. Sex in itself is an exercise and as such any additional form of physical activity can help increase a person’s endurance in bed. And what better time for exercise than in this nice weather?
What’s next for Boomi?
We are really looking forward to new product launches coming soon, continuing to expand into more retailers, especially the ones that are aligned with our mission. I’m excited to continue to bring several more million moments of pleasure through our content and products.