Have you ever tried to count the number of ways to have an orgasm? There’s clitoral, vaginal, anal, nipple… the list goes on. But did you know that you can actually mix and match these body parts to have a blended orgasm? It’s true. There’s an entire world of orgasms that can be achieved through stimulating two different nerve-dense areas of the body at the same time, and it’s known as blended orgasms.

If you want to take your orgasms to the next level, blended orgasms might be your ticket. Stimulating two separate body parts can widen the pleasure in your body and increase satisfaction, but remember, while orgasms are the highlight of sex for some, kicking up the intensity might require trying different techniques before finding what’s best for you. Ahead, we are breaking down exactly what a blended orgasm is, what makes it so intense, and of course, how to have one—no matter your pleasure preferences.

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What is a blended orgasm?

A blended orgasm is a type of orgasm brought on by stimulating two separate erogenous zones at the same time, and this orgasm is often described as more intense than a typical O. The most common type of a blended orgasm is when someone stimulates their clitoris and vagina at the same time. In fact, there are hundreds of sex toys designed for this kind of blended orgasm—rabbit vibrators, dual stimulation toys, and cock rings are made for blended orgasms during partnered sex.

This isn’t the only way to have blended orgasms though—there are seemingly endless combinations for having them, and for many, each one comes with a different flavor of pleasure and excitement. Blended orgasms can also be achieved through erogenous zones like the g-spot, nipples, anus, prostate, penis, and even your lips, ears, head, feet, or the back of your knees.

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What makes blended orgasms more intense?

The plain and simple truth is that orgasms feel different from person to person and how

pleasurable they are can change from day to day due to a variety of factors, explains Isabelle Uren, certified sex expert at Bedbible.com. “That being said, blended orgasms are often described as more intense due to the multiple areas of stimulation involved,” Uren says. “Additionally, the pleasure may be more diffused throughout the body, as it originates from two different areas.”

Different erogenous zones are connected to different nerves that carry the stimulation to our brain, making sensations in different parts of our bodies feel different. The pudendal nerve, for example, transmits sensations from the external clitoris or the skin of the penis to the brain, while the g-spot enrolls the pudendal nerve, as well as the pelvic nerve and the hypogastric nerve, according to Dr. Nan Wise, author of Why Good Sex Matters.

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6 ways to have a blended orgasm

If you’re someone who likes options, you’re in luck. When it comes to having blended orgasms, there is a huge menu of choices. Here are six ways to try it out:

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1. Try the clitoral-vaginal blended orgasm

Perhaps the most common blended orgasm, this climax happens when someone stimulates their vagina and their external clitoris at the same time. This blended orgasm is often described as far more pleasurable than an orgasm from stimulating just one of these areas.

To try this, Uren says to start by using lube to stimulate your external clitoris and labia. When you’re ready, insert your fingers into your vagina and stimulate the front wall (where your belly is). “Continue stimulating both your clitoris and the front wall of your vagina at a speed and pressure that feels good for you until you reach orgasm,” Uren directs. The best part? You can do this solo or with a partner.

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2. Use dual stimulation toys

When it comes to clitoral-vaginal blended orgasms, there are hundreds (really, hundreds) of sex toys designed just for this. A rabbit vibrator, for example, has one shaft designed to be inserted into your vagina or g-spot, and another smaller shaft to stimulate your external clitoris. Oftentimes, one or both of these shafts vibrate, giving you the option to add intense rumbles and turn up the intensity of a blended orgasm.

There are also toys similar to rabbit vibrators designed for internal and external stimulation, except on these toys, the smaller shaft for external stimulation has a suction component to mimic oral sex. Additionally, cock rings are designed to provide external, clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex, which helps lead to a blended orgasm.

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3. Try butt play

The anus is a highly dense area of nerve that can be combined with another erogenous zone in many ways. For starters, your partner can perform oral sex on you while stimulating your butt at the same time. By using lube, trace the opening of the anus, gently slide a finger inside the anus and hold it there, or move the finger in and out.

One of the best ways to have a blended orgasm with butt play is by using a butt plug so that your hands are free to stimulate other body parts. Butt plugs come in all shapes, sizes, weights, and even textures to customize how you want to intensify your experience. Many butt plugs even vibrate, and the pattern and intensity of vibration can easily be controlled with a remote.

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4. Use a prostate massager

Those with a penis and prostate should consider a prostate massager for more precise stimulation either alone or with a partner. Prostate massagers are designed to invigorate the prostate while giving you a hands-free experience to stimulate other areas of the body, making a blended orgasm much easier. Some prostate massagers even vibrate, taking orgasm to another level.

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5. Add nipple stimulation

Nipples are often forgotten when it comes to blended orgasms. For many people, nipple play can add an intense second layer of stimulation when added to anal, clitoral, penile, or vaginal play. You can derive pleasure from sucking, biting, squeezing, flicking, clamping, or tickling your nipples—and each will have a different sensation.

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6. Incorporate ‘underserviced’ erogenous zones

There are so many places dense with nerve endings that people often forget about. “Underserviced erogenous zones,” a term I first learned from Sex Educator, Luna Matatas, describes an area of the body that can be high in pleasure but is often left out during sex.

If you’re setting out to have a blended orgasm, choose your favorite body part to stimulate, and then add in an underserved erogenous zone. This could be your feet, wrists, the back of your knees, belly, or back. Additionally, your ears, the top of your head, and armpits are all highly sensitive places that can be especially tantalizing if you can’t access your genitals or don’t have sensations in them.

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 Whether you have platinum blonde, brunette, black, red, or even blue hair, color-treated hair needs a little extra attention if you want your color to last long. Nothing is worse than spending big bucks at your hair salon for the newest trending color and then having it fade after a week due to not taking care of your locks. Trust me: I learned the hard way. Coming from someone who has had pink, orange, black, brunette, and blonde, I have had to learn a thing or two about how to take care of dyed hair. Here are the tips that I have gathered for maintaining it over the years, plus tips from an expert to maintain your color-treated hair.

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1. After coloring, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing

When coloring hair, your cuticle layer is opened, making it easy for color to penetrate the hair shaft. When you wash your hair too soon after your appointment, the cuticle layer could still be open which then leads to your color being washed down the drain. It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, so the longer you wait to shampoo your hair after you color your hair, the more time the color pigment will have to soak into the hair cuticle, which will help your color last longer in between salon visits.

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2. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner

Sodium laureth sulfate, also known as sodium laureth ether sulfate, is a type of anionic detergent that is found in many personal care products. This ingredient is used to help produce a foaming effect on your shampoos and conditioners. By using sulfates, you run the risk of stripping your hair of its natural oils and moisture, which can then lead to stripping your beautiful color-treated hair (which you just spent hours and dollars at the hair salon to achieve).

Try using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair color from fading. L’oreal has great options for all hair types, so whether you have frizzy, curly, straight, or even thin hair, there is a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner option for all.

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3. Turn down the water temperature when shampooing

Though hot showers feel amazing to some, it isn’t so great for your hair color. When washing hair with hot water, your hair’s cuticle is opened, allowing your color to wash out while shampooing and conditioning.

To prevent seeing all of your color go down the drain, try shampooing with slightly warm water and then rinse with cold water after conditioning. The warm water will allow the shampoo and conditioner to penetrate and cleanse, while the cold water will help seal in the moisture from your conditioner while preventing color from fading by sealing the hair’s cuticle.

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4. Wash hair less frequently

Washing your hair every day is something you want to avoid if you want your hair color to last longer, especially if you have a vibrant color. Not only are you washing away the natural oils that moisturize and keep your hair color looking fresh, according to Dueñas, but you also wash away a little bit of your hair dye every time you wash your hair. Try washing your hair every other day or even 2-to 3 times a week to keep your color on lock. You shouldn’t wash more than that unless you’re working out a lot, said Dueñas. 

“If you find your color is fading fast, but your hair is oily/greasy and you need to wash often, mix your shampoo with your conditioner,” Dueñas suggested. It’ll make the shampoo “less abrasive,” keeping your color longer. 

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5. On off days, use dry shampoo

On your off days of not washing your hair, try using color-safe dry shampoos. These will refresh your hair and make it look like you just got a blowout without even having to wash your hair! You can also try color-tinted dry shampoos to revamp your color without having to head to the salon.

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6. Use leave-in treatments to protect hair color when styling

Colored and chemically-treated hair needs extra hydration and protection from the sun to prevent damage and loss of nutrients to the hair. Leave-in treatments will help keep your hair smooth and hydrated, and it’s important to find one with UV protection so that the sun won’t fade your hair color. Dueñas even recommended adding a sunscreen spray over your hair if you don’t want to purchase another product. “Using hairsprays and styling products with UV protection will do wonders.”

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7. Use heat protectant spray before using hot tools

Heat will strip away color and hydration and lead to damaged hair. To help prevent these problems from happening while using hot tools, try using a heat protectant spray before blow drying or styling. Heat protectant sprays will help reduce moisture loss from inside the hair, smooth the outside of the hair, and protect your hair from humidity after heat styling which, in all, will help maintain your color. Dueñas recommended starting any of your irons with the lowest setting possible as well to avoid the high heat from pulling the color from your hair.

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8. Prepare your hair for the next color process

Use a clarifying shampoo the day before your next color treatment at the hair salon. This will strip your hair of any oils and product buildup that could block your color from penetrating the cuticle at a deeper level. 

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9. Avoid chlorine and saltwater

Chlorine is a chemical bleaching agent that cleans pools and will definitely strip color from your hair when enjoying a sunny pool day. Blonde hair is susceptible to turning a greenish tint, while darker shades may become dull, dry out, and lose their shine. So, if you find yourself wanting to go to the pool, try a swimmer’s cap! “If you are going to be swimming in the ocean, or in a pool, adding conditioner to your hair and putting it in a cap will save your color from being drawn out by salts and chlorine,” Dueñas said. This will create a barrier on the hair shaft so that the chlorine won’t penetrate.

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10. Keep up with trims

Dead ends won’t hold color and will fade even faster, so make sure you are cutting off those dead ends every 6-8 weeks so your color looks fresh from root to tip.

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I used to think back pain was something that happened to other people, not me. That was before I was tied to my desk for a full-time position, though – doubts aside, I was quickly humbled by back pain in all sorts of places, plus a chronically stiff neck.

Though back pain relief is an ongoing journey for me, I know there are ways to alleviate the agony. I also know now that I’m not alone in my discomfort. According to Cross River Therapy, 8 out of 10 people in the United States experience back pain each year. If you’re one of them, this post is your path to healing (or at least, lessening) the aching, cramping, twitching, and shooting pain you might be dealing with.

Julia Rosenthal PT, DPT with Empower Physical Therapy a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Pelvic Health Rehabilitation Specialist who knows a thing or two about work-related back pain. I spoke to her about why it happens in the first place, back pain relief exercises and stretches, plus even more tactics for feeling your best – physically *and* mentally – while on the clock.

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Why Your Back Pain Is Tied To Your Work

The most obvious culprit behind back pain is a less-than-optimized desk set-up, but according to Rosenthal, your pain can also be worsened by the demands of the work day. When we’re sitting in front of a computer for an extended amount of time, our bodies can be forced into poor postures and lack sufficient movement overall – plus, any mental stress we may endure during the week (83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress) can exacerbate any pain and/or muscle tension.

When we’re stressed out or anxious due to work, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (or HPA) axis is activated, says Rosenthal. This leads to the release of stress hormones like cortisol.

High levels of cortisol have direct ties to general muscle tension, reduced blood flow that leads to stiffness, and inflammation that irritates tissues in the back. Further, cortisol and other stress response hormones can affect your pain perception, actually making you more sensitive to back discomfort. Depending on your situation, stress can also affect your normal sleep pattern, which triggers more physical issues. If you tend to shut down and become more sedentary when you’re stressed, that lack of activity will also contribute to increased back pain.

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How To Get Back Pain Relief ASAP

Ergonomics

Ergonomics, in a general sense, refers to your efficiency at work. In the context of work-related back pain, it’s concerned with a totally optimized and more importantly, comfortable workspace.

Rosenthal says that it’s crucial for in-office and remote workers alike to have a dedicated workspace with a good layout. Look for these things when you’re considering an ergonomic work set-up:

• Chairs should provide enough support to the spine without requiring you to lean back too much. The height of your chair should allow your feet to rest flat on the floor, with your hips slightly higher (or at the same level) as your knees.
• Desks should be set at a height that allows your elbows to rest at a 90-degree angle when typing or using the mouse.
• Monitors should be placed so that you’re looking at the screen at eye level.
• Keyboards and mouse should be within easy, unstrained reach. You want your wrists to be in a neutral position.
• Lighting should be amply provided to avoid any eye strain.
• Clutter should be avoided entirely, especially if it forces you into uncomfortable positions.

Even if you’ve devoted a lot of care to designing your permanent workspace, having a few different places around the office or home where you can dial into different positions is great for back pain relief and prevention.

Changing your environment throughout the workday contributes to healthy postural variability.

“Postural variability means moving through and having access to different postures and positions. If you stay in the same position for too long, that position is bound to get uncomfortable,” Rosenthal tells me. “We want to give our joints the opportunity to move through the range they have available to them so that we continue being able to move through that range.”

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Stretching

“Any [stretch] that promotes extension and rotation should feel great,” offers Rosenthal. Some examples of this include a thoracic extension stretch, open book stretch, and a spinal twist stretch – these will get your back in an opposing position than what you’re used to during work. She offers even more to relieve tension:

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Cat-Cow is a yoga-inspired stretch that targets the entire spine. To do it:

1. Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.
2. Inhale as you arch your back, lifting your head and tailbone up (Cow Pose).
3. Exhale as you round your back, tucking your chin and tailbone (Cat Pose).
4. Alternate between these two positions, flowing gently with your inhale and exhale.

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Child's Pose, when combined with a side stretch, will help open up your back. To do it:

1. Begin in a kneeling position.
2. Sit back on your heels, reaching your arms forward on the floor (or to the top of your mat if you’re using a yoga mat).
3. Lower your chest toward the ground while extending your arms. Hold this pose for a few deep breaths.
4. Then, walk both of your hands to the right, feeling a gentle stretch along your left side. Hold this for a few breaths.
5. Next, walk your hands to the left, feeling a stretch along your right side. Hold it for a few breaths.

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Seated Forward Fold, when done with a rotation, provides postural variability. To do it:

1. Sit on the floor with your legs extended straight. Inhale as you sit up tall.
2. Exhale and fold forward from your hips, reaching your hands toward your feet.
3. Hold this forward fold for a few breaths.
4. Then, inhale as you sit up tall again.
5. Exhale, twist your torso to the right and reach your right hand toward your left foot. Inhale back to center.
6. Exhale, twist your torso to the left and reach your left hand toward your right foot. Repeat if you wish.

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Seated Spinal Twist stretches out the spine. To do it:

1. Sit with your legs extended straight.
2. Bend one knee and cross it over your other leg, placing your foot flat on the floor.
3. Inhale to sit up tall.
4. Exhale, twist your torso to the opposite side of your bent knee.
5. Hold the twist for a few breaths. Inhale back to center.
6. Exhale, switch the position of your legs and repeat the twist on the other side.

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Sphinx Pose will further stretch your spine and provide variability. To do it:

1. Lie on your stomach with your legs extended.
2. Place your forearms on the ground, parallel to each other.
3. Inhale as you lift your chest off the ground, keeping your hips down.
4. Gently arch your back and look forward.

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Exercising

Combining exercise – cardio and strength training – with stretching can help you alleviate back pain and also prevent it, according to Rosenthal.

“Making a plan for getting in enough strength training and cardiovascular exercise will also be important since getting enough exercise can be hard when you're working from home,” she offers.

Strength training can increase muscle density and strength, improving your body’s resilience towards stress. It also leads to increased postural control, flexibility, and bone health. It's also quite good for your brain, too. Strength training releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers and mood enhancers, which can positively target existing back pain.

Planks, bridges, deadlifts, and core exercises are all great movements to practice for back pain relief.

“If a person is already having back pain, training the core can even have pain relieving benefits,” says Rosenthal. “These muscles work together to create a pressure system that helps support the spine.”

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Taking Breaks

Don’t hesitate to take breaks during the workday, too. They can not only help you improve your back pain relief, but breaks also provide much-needed pauses for your mind.

“Taking short breaks actually helps you stay focused, prevents burnout, and improves overall efficiency,” says Rosenthal. “There have actually been studies done on work productivity that show that people are more efficient and productive when they work in short bouts (25-45 minutes) followed by short breaks.”

Stepping away from the screen can minimize stress, one of the greatest factors contributing to back pain. Additionally, it can promote creativity and sustained focus when you do return to your desk. Rosenthal recommends using short breaks from work for a short walk outside or a stretching session.

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Socializing

When you have bigger breaks from work, such as evenings or weekends, making an effort to socialize can potentially be a *big* help with back pain relief. Engaging socially will diminish feelings of stress and anxiety which can contribute to muscle tension, central nervous system upregulation, and ultimately, back pain.

“People working at home may feel more isolated than people who are in an office and have more opportunity for interpersonal connection,” offers Rosenthal. “It's important for people to find ways to engage socially, whether that is making plans with their partners, friends, work colleagues or other out-of-work activities that they enjoy.”

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 Undeniably, one of the best sex scenes in movie history is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Are you kidding me? A 15-year-old me had a sexual awakening watching Bella and Edward get it on in the water, all to end up in bed. I mean, the scene when she wakes up to a completely broken bed and pillow feathers strewn about the room sounds exactly like what my sex dreams are made of (you know, with less Edward Cullen and more LaKeith Stanfield). And we must talk about the other best sex scenes in human history: Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis in Black Swan. You know, I claimed Black Swan as my favorite movie of all time for quite a while, and somehow it only dawned on me a few years later that I just might be bisexual.

But you know why movie sex scenes are just so absolutely sexy? It’s acting. There’s a sense of “these aren’t real people” to the whole thing. And you know what? Regular old folk like us can get that same feeling with just a little role-playing. 

I’ll be completely honest: role-playing with your partner can feel really intimidating and, of course, totally weird and awkward if you’re new to it. But as most sexual things go, with practice and communication comes many orgasms! So here we go, a 101 guide to the best role-play ideas of your life. 

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Figure out your boundaries and safe words

Before you and your partner become entirely different people for the night, talk over what you’re willing to do and what you’re not. It’s important to know what each of you is hoping to get out of the experience. For you, it might just be a fun, one-night-only thing. Your partner might want to add this to your usual rotation. Some people like to use role-playing to act out fantasies. Whatever you decide is amazing, just make sure it fits both of you. As always, communication with your partner about sex is necessary here. You’ll also want to come up with any safe words if you’re practicing BDSM or anything similar. 

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Decide what you want to role-play

You absolutely can just come up with a character on the spot and go with it. But if you’re not an Oscar-winning actress just yet (maybe if I flesh out the cash for that Natalie Portman Masterclass, but I digress), it’s OK to take some time to figure out role-play ideas and come up with them as you go. Of course, the easiest thing would be a different person. Maybe it’s your alter-ego. You don’t totally change your look, but you go by a different name and act a little different (for example, normally you’re more dominant in the bedroom, and instead you act a little more submissive). Pretend it’s your first date all over again. 

On the other hand, you can also decide who to role-play based on your fantasies. What turns you on? Is it a student/teacher scenario? A nurse/patient? Two roommates? Make your decision on truly what turns you on, because it’ll just feel awkward and funny to you both if it’s not something you actually find sexy. 

Will you add costumes? You certainly can! But to be fair, if your partner is of the male species, you might be able to get away with putting your hair in a different style and slapping on a smokey eye, and they’ll think it’s different enough. (If your partner is more observant, wigs are a very fun and inexpensive way to change things up!) If the scenario is a little more complex, think about getting into character. This might feel really awkward for your first time trying different role-play ideas, so don’t be afraid to start small. Speaking of…

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Things to keep in mind when you’re ready to get going

Start small

It’s OK if the first time you role-play doesn’t involve the sexy French maid costume of your dreams and a fully fleshed-out script of everything you’ll say. It’s really easy and casual to start role-playing through text first. You and your partner can gauge how you enjoy it and feel about it without the pressure of “acting” in front of each other. 

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Don’t stress if you feel silly

Role-playing can sorta feel like you’re back in high school musical theater if you’re not used to it, and that’s completely normal. It’s different and new, but it takes time to get used to being that way with your partner. Think of role-playing as a game, and of course, very few people are good at a game the first time they play.

Consider changing locations

You could go all out and head to a nearby hotel bar to reenact your first date or meeting, but you could also simply change up the location of where you are. You can take a walk to the park or through your neighborhood and start your role-play there (finishing at home, of course) or simply change locations in your home. Get really into it, and turn your kitchen island or dining table into a little bar set-up for the evening. You could pretend your home is a hotel. Get into the fun of it, and let your imagination go. Sex is all about flexing your creative muscles.

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Don’t be afraid to really act

It’s not weird to get into it. It’s your fantasy for crying out loud! Role-playing is about being someone else for a little and acting out all of your desires with your partner. It’s a fun way to try all those things you dream about without a ton of commitment. Try something and realize you don’t really enjoy it? Try something different! It’s all trial and error, so don’t be surprised if you thought you’d love or hate something and it surprises you.

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Role-play ideas to try

• Classic power dynamics—boss/employee, teacher/student, guest/maid, nurse or doctor/patient, fitness instructor/student, landlord/tenant, etc. 

• Best friends
• Roommates
• Strangers
• Long-distance—try Skype/FaceTime sex even if you’re not in an LDR
• Massage therapist
• Food delivery
• Non-monogamy—one person remains themselves and the other is a stranger
• Photographer and model

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Related

I had very little to no skincare literacy until The Ordinary was posted on West Broadway back in 2018. Suddenly, pure acids with unpronounceable names sold in dropper bottles became a part of my daily vocabulary. I was, at one point, on a glycolic acid waitlist. Since at least then, acids have reliably found their way into many of my products, including azelaic acid. Likely, the ingredient has found its way into your routines via foams, creams, gels, and serums. Its superpowers are manifold: it treats acne, evens skin tone and hyperpigmentation, and soothes redness. It also more or less cured my periorificial dermatitis (IYKYK). Luckily, the market is well aware of azelaic acid’s benefits, and it’s full of options. But that can also be lowkey overwhelming. To help clear up any confusion, we spoke with board-certified dermatologists to walk us through everything we need to know about azelaic acid.

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What is azelaic acid?

Azelaic acid is a chemical inhibitor of the growth of an enzyme called tyrosinase, which causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid exists in many different forms, but we’ve been assured none is necessarily better than the other. The potency of azelaic acid should always be listed on a product, and if you’re new to using azelaic, just like anything else, start with a weaker potency and work your way up!

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What are the benefits of azelaic acid for the skin?