The Sensuali blog
Learn about sex culture through deep dives on film, history, and psychology. Gain insight into the ups and downs of sex work via candid interviews. Become a master navigator of the Sensuali platform with our how-to guidelines.
Advice
A guide to buying a strap on in 2023
Who knew the world of strap ons was so fabulously intricate? As they've never been more relevant than they are today, here's a guide to buying a strap on in 2023.
10 things it takes to be a stripper
Does the stripper life appeal to you? If you possess at least 5/10 of these qualities, then you might just have what it takes.
Nurturing sexual well-being and empowering minds
This article explores how sexual experiences influence self-esteem, body image, and relationship satisfaction, and how nurturing our sexual well-being can positively impact our overall mental well-being.
An organic approach to sensual roleplay
I know it's hard to believe, but role-play in the bedroom doesn't have to be excruciatingly cringe. Done right, it can open doors to new sexual understandings between you and your lover(s). Here's the lowdown.
5 Things to know before giving a prostate massage
I finally found a willing participant to indulge my fantasy of milking a prostate. This blog delves into the insights I gained from my foray into prostate massage.
The art of seduction: the mystery of human attraction
The art of seduction is at the core of the sex work profession. This how-to-guide delves into the psychology of seduction, while offering tangible solutions for bolstering your seduction game.
Make sugar dating great again
Sugar dating is known in the press nowadays as 'candy-coated prostitution'. Does that mean sugar dating should be blacklisted? Or can it be a positive form of sex work in its own right?
The O-Method: manifestation through orgasm
Learn how to conjure up your dream life through orgasms with this how-to guide.
Goodbye Slutty Baby: Shedding my Sex Work Persona
In reflecting on myself and the person I want to become, I've realized that my sugar persona aka "Slutty Baby" has stunted my personal development. So I've written a goodbye letter, as a means of letting go and evolving.
Dating with a Sex Work Past: 3 Green Flags to Look For
To most, having a sex work past is a red flag. But what if instead of focusing on the parts of ourselves that society tries to make us feel lesser for, we flip the script and actively seek out partners who check OUR boxes?
Art
The most famous fetish illustrators through history
Welcome to the world of fetish illustrators. Let's explore the most notable characters, their unique styles, artistic journeys, and the cultural impact of their evocative works.
Welcome to the world of fetish art
Fetish art became a thing way back in the Victorian era. Kinkcurious? Here's a short introduction to the genre.
Sensual photography: a short introduction
What is sensual photography? Well, it's not simply all about sex. Sensual photography is about creating visceral pictures that feel intimate, sometimes alluring and often charged with emotion. Here's a short introduction.
Films about female sexuality: Catherine Breillat
Sick of the shame surrounding female sexuality? These are the essential films of Catherine Breillat that explore women's nuanced relationship with sex.
Water Lilies: The Power of Shamelessness
A homage to one of my favourite controversial film characters of all time, Floriane (Adele Hanael) from Celine Sciamma’s queer debut feature, ‘Water Lilies’ (2007).
The ‘Greatest Film Of All Time’ Is About A Sex Worker
'Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles' (1976) is a film following the everyday life of a mother and part-time sex worker. Last year, BFI's Sight & Sound Poll named it the greatest film of all time.
Sex Workers in Art: The Iconic Paintings
Some of my favourite iconic pieces of art from the 19th and 20th century that depict sex workers and the worlds they know.
The White Lotus Made My Mum Pro-Sex Work
I have tried to convince my mum that sex work isn't *always* bad for months now. But in just a few hours of binge watching The White Lotus, Season 2, her mind was changed.
Party Girl: The Struggles of an Ageing Sex Worker
Party Girl (2014), directed by Samuel Theis, Marie Amachoukeli & Claire Burger, involves an older woman leaving behind her life as a cabaret bar hostess to marry one of her regular clients.
Masochism on Screen: The Piano Teacher
A breakdown of my favourite film about masochism, Michael Haneke’s arthouse masterpiece, ‘The Piano Teacher’ and why I love it so much.
Culture
Why is Intimacy coaching essential for the LGBTQ community?
We spoke to three LGBTQ-focused intimacy coaches to find out the benefits of going within to solve your most intimate issues. In an age where swiping and no-strings-attached encounters are the norm, those of us seeking more intimate connections often run into problems. This modern-day dating phenomenon has caused a myriad of intimacy issues […]
Sexier than a screen: let’s talk erotic audio
The rise of erotic audio is something to be celebrated. Here's why this form of porn is not only a healthy option, but a sexy one too.
Burlesque creates a space for the female gaze
The burlesque scene today has grown into a wonderful and thriving sub-culture where we can celebrate sexuality and femininity without fear of the male gaze.
A brief introduction to erotic writing
Porn, erotic art, sexy TV shows and kinky nudes are all the rage, but what about erotic writing? Here's a brief introduction to what could be considered the most intimate form of erotica.
Facesitting: why do men love it?
Everyone loves face sitting, especially the most unusual suspects- cis straight men (who have been socially conditioned to typically take a more dominant position during sex). So what's the appeal of face sitting? What makes it just as good (or better) than penetrative sex itself?
3 types of Shibari experiences in London
Interested in Shibari but don't know where to begin? We've got you covered. Here are 3 main different ways of exploring Shibari today in London.
The ultimate guide to nyc’s sex parties
The good, the great, and the greatest of the sex parties that nyc has to offer.
Sensual kink experiences: the top 10
Welcome to the wonderful world of kink. Sensuali looks beyond taboos and provides a space for us to understand our desires better. Whether you’re seeking or offering, it’s all about exploration for everyone. Here’s our top 10 crème de la kink experiences.
What your sexual fantasy reveals about you
So you’re into wearing a collar and leash but you don’t want to even begin to figure out why? Well guess what? It’s time to face the music. And it’s nowhere near as bad as you think. Let’s explore the connection between some of today’s most obscure fantasies and what having that fantasy might reveal about you.
Can a throuple truly thrive?
By now everyone has heard the phrase 'throuple'. But is the rage real? Are people just bored of monogamy, or is there more beauty behind the trend? Let's decode the dynamics of throuples and threesomes.
Educational
Femdom: female power through history
Femdom is a wonderful part of BDSM that has gradually been emerging since the 20th century. But was there any sense of female domination before then? And how has femdom evolved today?
The girlfriend experience: on commodifying companionship
Love it or hate it, the Girlfriend Experience is an increasingly sought out service today. Let's understand the psychology behind it, and why the commodification of companion can be beneficial in modern society.
What is power play? 3 foundations of Dom/Sub dynamics within BDSM
What is Power Play? Contrary to what we see in porn, there’s a lot that goes on behind-the-scenes in Dominance and submission. Sarah at Sub in the City linked with Sensuali to break down the 3 main foundations that create successful Dom/sub dynamics.
BDSM myth busting: 5 misconceptions about kink that you need to know
Professional BDSM coach Sarah at Sub in the City explains some of the most common myths about BDSM and kink.
A beginner’s guide to BDSM
What does BDSM really stand for? Read our latest blog from Sarah at Sub in the City for a quick and dirty breakdown of this kinky acronym.
The top 5 benefits of sensual massage
Rubens Abreu, the London-based professional masseuse shares with Sensuali the top 5 benefits of sensual massage.
Sensual coach: reconnecting you to yourself
In our fast-paced world, where we live increasingly in our heads than in our bodies and natural surroundings, the sensual coach is here to bring you back to your body and the bodies of those around you.
Breath play: a short introduction
Breath play is one of the taboo kinks that has recently become a lot more openly accepted. Kinkcurious? Here is a basic introduction.
Bondage: the b in bdsm
The B in bdsm stands for bondage. Here's what it actually means.
Nuru massage: a short introduction
Nuru massage is one of the most intimate forms of sensual massage you can find today. Here's everything you need to know.
Interview
On intimacy coaching & sex education: meet April Maria
Sensuali chatted with coach April Maria aka Venus Libido, known for her sex education and intimacy coaching. We talked about her favourite innovative sex toys, the many factors that help to maintain a healthy libido and how exploring non-monogamy doesn’t always have to mean having sex outside of your relationship.
Meet all round Sensualist, Belle Lauralei
Sensuali chatted with Belle Lauralei, the all round sensualist and lover of erotica. We spoke about how supporting men and the masculine is integral to achieving a harmonious society, the struggle of living in a mind-led world that disconnects us from our bodies, and how more women need to view femininity as a power rather than a weakness.
Filthy FemDom sessions: meet Mistress Sevvven
We had a wonderful chat with Mistress Sevvven, the professional dominatrix who specialises in FemDom sessions in London. We spoke about her carnal, non-traditional approach, the sense of safety and control that BDSM provides, and the never ending fight to unlearn conditioned feminine behaviour as a domme.
Tantric bodywork sessions: meet The Tantric Woman
Sensuali chatted to The Tantric Woman, aka Jo, the sex coach and tantric bodyworker based in London. We talked about helping men connect with their body rather than their mind, self-sourcing our own pleasure, and how we can shift societal attitudes towards sensuality and away from derogatory sex.
Sensual intimacy coaching: meet The Queer Sensualist
Sensuali chatted to The Queer Sensualist, aka Oli Lipski, who provides sensual intimacy coaching through the lens of queer theory and sensual embodiment. We chatted about the beauty of the parasympathetic nervous system, heteronormativity limiting our ideas of what sex can be, and the wondrous healing effects of simply talking about things.
On queer erotic photography: meet Imogen Cleverley
Sensuali chatted to the London-based artist making queer erotic photography, Imogen Cleverley. We spoke about the influence of 80s DIY punk queer-core on their work, the misconception that art and porn can't overlap, and the need to make more space for difficult conversations and anger within the queer art scene.
Uniting pole dance & strippers: meet Gemma Rose Pole
Sensuali chatted to pole dancer, stripper, sex work activist and all round icon Gemma Rose about her journey from anti to pro sex work, the normalised exploitation of strippers in the UK, and her upcoming podcast, 'The 6am Club'.
The psychological dominatrix: meet Ava Sheridon
Sensuali chatted with Ava Sheridon, the professional dominatrix and disciplinarian specialising in psychological BDSM sessions. Sometimes she’s an inappropriate therapist, other times she’s a kinky lifestyle coach. We spoke about her background in erotic fiction, the intensifying effects of hypnotherapy on a submissive, and how kinky lifestyle coaching brings an element of exciting motivation that vanilla coaching lacks.
The disciplinarian dominatrix: meet Agent Ida
Sensuali chatted with Agent Ida von Schmidt, the Disciplinarian Dominatrix with a passion for role play and traditional corporal punishment. We discuss her collection of punishment implements, some common misconceptions about Dommes, and BDSM as a form of therapy.
Polyamorous relationship coach: meet Open Relating
Sensuali had a conversation with Open Relating, aka, Roy Graff, the polyamorous relationship coach. We spoke about his goal to help people relate to one another out of love rather than fear, the male struggle to ask for physical affection from a parter, and the socialisation that has made society terrified of polyamory.
Playlist
Songs for soft sensualists
An immersive playlist for all you soft sensualists out there. Including sensual songs for any time of day (or night), this playlist should reconnect you with your sensuality not only in the bedroom, but in your everyday living.
Songs to Psych up Your Inner Sugar Baby
Got a sugar date but not feeling so sugary? Here's a playlist of bad girl bops by exclusively female artists to get you feeling frisky.
Sex & Spook: The Ultimate Thotoween Playlist
Grouped-by-genre songs for all the serious Halloween Hoes out there. No 'Bump In The Night' bull here- only songs with truly dark and sensual vibes.
BDSM Bops: 15 Songs for Doms
Need some tunes to really capture your devastating dom energy? Your prayers have been answered.
The Ultimate Girlfriend Experience Playlist
For every escort who offers a girlfriend experience, this #sensual playlist will have every client feeling like they're your one and only (even if they know they're not).
Songs To Strip To: Alt-Girls Edition
Which alt-girl stripper archetype are you?
BDSM Bops: 15 Songs for Submissives
From The Weeknd to Duran Duran, here's a playlist of atmospheric BDSM songs especially suited to subs.
Sensuali guidelines
How To Verify Your Sensuali Account
A step-by-step guide on each step on the Sensuali verification process.
How to Create and Update Galleries
Not sure how to add images to or what to post in your gallery? Check out this how-to guide.
Our Privacy Settings Explained
Privacy is core to the Sensuali mission. To learn more about our privacy settings, read on.
How To Create A Sensuali Account As A Service Provider
A step-by-step guide on creating a Sensuali account as a service provider.
How To Create A Sensuali Account As A Service User
A step-by-step guide on creating a Sensuali account as a service user.
Creating a Popular Sensuali Member’s Profile
A few top tips for members on how to make your Sensuali profile stand out from the rest.