A responsibly-made, premium, vegan handbag full of sexiness? Yes, please.
For our latest giveaway, we have teamed up with three incredible Australian brands who are normalising self-care in the most genuine, inclusive, planet-friendly ways. We loved learning more about their inspiring values and reasons for being. Make sure you follow NORMAL, Jonny and Lucy, they’re definitely worth getting into bed with. Here’s why:
NORMAL
Why choose NORMAL?
NORMAL is about making it stress-free and stigma-free to explore sexuality, whatever that looks like for you. NORMAL makes premium modern sex toys you won't want to hide under the bed, and with commitments to sustainable packaging, recycling, evidence-based sex ed, LGBTQ inclusion and the all-important 100 Night Stand guarantee (return or refund if you don't love it), it really is the full package.
What does equality and inclusion look like at NORMAL?
NORMAL doesn't assume our users are heterosexual or cisgendered, so our range are all given non-gendered names and described in terms of anatomy, rather than assuming the relationship style and gender identity of the person using them. Plus, NORMAL donates a percentage of every sale to LGBTQ+ youth charity Minus18.
Are your products vegan? And why is that important to you?
All of our sex essentials (lubricants and cleaning sprays) are vegan and cruelty-free. For many of us, the products we choose to put onto our body are an expression of our values, so it's important to feel comfortable and excited by how those products were made.
How is NORMAL making sustainable sexy?
Recycling sex toys is a blind spot in our public recycling systems (due to the combination of e-waste, materials that have been in contact with the body and silicon). So NORMAL offers a toy recycling program (and you don't need to be a NORMAL user to access it!) where you can send in an old toy to be sustainably recycled and receive a credit to spend with NORMAL on your next product.
Our packaging is also designed to be recycled or reused - so toys arrive in a compostable mailer bag, with a cute canvas collection bag designed to be used for storing all of your sexual wellness products in one easy spot :)
Jonny
What makes Jonny special?
Jonny is an inclusive, sex-proud, vegan, non-toxic condom that is eco and environmentally conscious. Our product is ethically sourced, with no nasty chemicals and even comes with a 100% biodegradable bag for responsible disposal! Unprotected sex is never worth the risk. Jonny's purpose is to normalise condoms through talking about sex and intimacy to enable intimate equality for all parties involved.
Teach us a thing or two about rubber.
Jonny is made from natural latex, originating from the rubber plant, which does break down over time, compared to the non-latex versions that don't break down. Jonny is a non-medicated natural rubber latex condom. We like to stay as natural as possible. It is better for our bodies, and better for nature.
**Non-latex is made from polyurethane, which is a plastic often found in paints and varnishes. For those with latex allergies, non-latex is the preferred alternative.
Is Jonny vegan? And why is that important to you?
Yes, Jonny is vegan-friendly! To make latex smooth, most condoms contain casein, which is derived from milk. Jonny, however, steers clear of all animal derivatives and nasty toxins. Jonny is all about being good to oneself, others and the planet!
How is Jonny making sustainable sexy?
Be a lover, not a flusher, is something we coined to change people's behaviour and perceptions around disposing of condoms and personal items. Jonny is eco-conscious, from its recyclable mailer boxes to its biodegradable disposable bags included with every condom. Most condoms are flushed down the toilet, which has a devastating effect on marine life and waterways. Jonny encourages environmentally conscious living and environmentally safe sex by providing an easier and more discreet way of disposing of Jonny.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Respect, choice and equality are at Jonny's core. Consent always comes first! Take care of yourself and your health. You can subscribe to join our online community via J-spot to read more articles about safe sex, condoms, consent, latex, sex toys and other tips and tricks.
Lucy Lube
Why choose Lucy Lube?
So many reasons! Put simply, we offer a quality lube that aims to foster the most positive sexual experiences, be they solo or with a partner. Our product is also designed with a gender-neutral colour palette so it can sit proudly in your bedroom.
We have designed Lucy Lube to be the highest quality product possible within its price range. What's unique about Lucy Lube is that it has TGA accreditation and is the only Australian-made product to meet this standard of manufacturing. The TGA is an Australian regulatory body that classifies therapeutic goods and products. Surprisingly, lots of lubes and massage oils slip through loopholes and are declared as novelty devices, skipping the incredibly important manufacturing compliance. Lucy goes through strict stability testing and rigor to ensure it's incredibly safe for your safest parts. We are very pleased to be classified as a medical device and not a novelty product.
What does ‘no nasties’ mean?
For us 'no nasties' relates to both ingredients and our packaging process. As consumers, we naturally assume that all products are made equal and that is not the case! Harmful lubricant ingredients to watch for include petroleum, parabens, glycerine, benzocaine. You can read more about what impact these have on your body over on our blog.
Is Lucy Lube vegan? And why is that important to you?
Yes, it sure is! It was important to make our product accessible to many, and being vegan was important for that. We are an ethical and values-driven business motivated by not only creating a great product but doing so in a way that is not exclusionary. Plus, we wanted to show that crafting a quality product didn't mean compromising on quality or values. Lucy is designed as an all-rounder for any situation, it was envisioned to be the “ultimate bedroom addition”.
How is Lucy making sustainable sexy?
Not only is it important to avoid nasties in the product but we strive to reduce our waste, using only biodegradable or compostable packaging when shipping our products. For us another focus has been working with our local community, we use local or Australian partners in 95% of our product manufacturing from label printing to photography to graphic design. We are proud of supporting other small Australian independent retailers and feel passionate about building a community.