Sexual wellness got a rebrand just in time for hot girl summer

It’s no secret that the sexual wellness industry is rather…colorful. By colorful, we’re referring to the over-the-top, bubble letter storefronts and neon-colored branding that has defined the appearance of the space as we know it.

In a lot of ways, this maximalist branding approach has perpetuated the negative stigma that exists with sexual wellness. Many people have come to associate these stores, and the products they sell, with words like “tacky,” “unsophisticated” even. On top of this, the constant use of overly sexualized imagery has contributed to the lack of diversity, representation, and inclusivity in this industry overall. As a result, sales of related products are done online, and in some cases, behind closed doors IRL. And as we know, doing stuff in secrecy deepens existing taboos which is extremely problematic, especially one that has to do with sexual wellness. 

To put it simply, this industry is in dire need of a transformation and 2023 is officially the year of sexual wellness upgrades. Here are some of the newest updates in the space that are going to make sexual wellness more classy, inclusive, and yes, tasteful. Literally:

Contact Sports

We think Contact Sports is going to go down in history as one of the most highly anticipated, innovative retail stores to date. So, what is it? Located in Soho, NYC, Contact Sports is a new sexual wellness store that, FINALLY, flaunts a modern, minimal, and clean aesthetic. I mean, can we take a second to appreciate the design:

Image Credit: Contact Sports

Contact Sports is a destination, rather than a hiding spot, and is a hip date spot, versus a location you escape to on your own when desperate for a vibrator. Here, you can shop a variety of products ranging from Serena Kerrigan’s Let’s Fucking Date cards, to Dame’s Eva Couples Vibrator, in the confines of a store that looks like it could be Ralph Lauren. And are we even surprised? It was designed by Madelynn Ringo of Ringo Studios, the brains behind Bala, Our Place, and Studs’ retail spaces among many others.

Please visit Contact Sports this weekend with a group of girlfriends, or boyfriends, to see how incredible the space is and report back. We’ll be waiting!

Nauox

There’s no pleasure without lubricants and the new brand Nauox is here to add some spice, or more accurately sugar, to the category. Their tagline, “delicious sexual wellness,” is a nod to their cocktail-inspired line of lubricants inspired by flavors like agave, dulce de leche, muesli, and honey:

Image Credit: Nauox

Apart from their inventive flavors and juicy imagery, the brand celebrates their gender-neutral branding and messaging which is a stark contrast to the highly feminine, colorful products traditionally at the forefront of the industry. No product is specifically made to be enjoyed by one gender over another; rather, the brand markets “pleasure” as a more holistic, all-encompassing term relevant to all individuals equally.

We’re excited to see all the positive ways that these new brands and products disrupt the industry and enable people to practice their sexual wellness and pleasure in a much more inclusive way. Just in time for the summer!