Sex and particularly female self-pleasure have long been taboo topics, but a new wave of sexual wellness brands are working to normalise the conversation. LBDO is at the forefront of the movement, offering a safe, empowering space for all. The brand goes above and beyond to deliver products, sexual education and guided self-pleasure audio experiences.
What inspired you to launch LBDO?
I’ve always viewed health in a holistic way, encompassing mental health, physical health and a very generous sprinkling of self-care. Whether it be a glass or two of Pinot, an indulgent massage, or taking care of your body in a sexual way, these moments of pleasure and being in touch with yourself help form an integral part of your overall health.
Sex and pleasure have been excluded from the conversation for so long. Not only has this led to a very narrow definition of sex and pleasure, it’s also been reflected in tacky messaging and marketing from the sex industry. There was nowhere safe and free of shame where I felt I could go to receive adequate information and products that reflected my experience of sex and pleasure. And so, LBDO was born.
I wanted to create a sexual wellness brand with products that actually reflect you and your sexual experience — beautiful, natural, vulnerable and unique. I believe that sexual wellness is a fundamental human right, where sex and intimate pleasure is self-care for all bodies and that the conversation around sexual health is free of shame and stigma.
At LBDO, we work hard to champion these ideals every day.
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What does wellness mean to you?
I apply the same approach to sexual wellness as I do health. Wellness to me is connected to our emotional, physical and relational wellbeing. It includes things such as how comfortable we feel in our skin, how connected we feel to ourselves and our desires, and how we feel in our relationships. It’s important that we create a space for people to be able to access comprehensive and factual sex education, and learn about broad and diverse perspectives and experiences of sex so we can choose what will empower our own sexual wellness journeys.
Can you talk us through the design of and ingredients in LBDO products?
It’s important to us that our products are both beautiful and functional, considered both aesthetically and anatomically effective. Products that can be treated as art help in normalising the conversation. We wanted out products to genuinely help people to realise the importance of making time for things that feel good.
Our Essensual Vibe has been designed using the highest-quality medical-grade silicone and is designed to sit out on display on your nightstand, not hidden at the bottom of your drawer.
We opt for 100 per cent natural ingredients in our products and are proud to showcase native Australian ingredients. Kakadu Plum, which features in our Essensual Lube and Essensual Oil, is an antioxidant powerhouse and boasts high levels of Vitamin C. Quandong is another feature ingredient in our Essensual Lube that is high in Vitamin E; it acts as an anti-inflammatory and is great for vaginal dryness. They’re both vegan, cruelty-free and made in Australia.
What are you doing to minimise the environmental impact of your brand?
We’ve worked really hard to make sure our packaging is as sustainable as possible so your sexual pleasure supports the planet. We work closely with our manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that much of our packaging is 100 per cent recyclable with standard recycling programs or designated recycling facilities. We also use compostable mailer bags.
Unfortunately, some items that we sell require protective casing of soft plastic for safe shipping. We’re working really hard to find alternative solutions but, in the meantime, you can recycle through the REDcycle Program.
How have you incorporated inclusivity into your brand?
We believe pleasure is for everybody and every body. We don’t put labels on who can and can’t use our products because pleasure is a human right and we all deserve to feel good. We understand the breadth of sexual expression and have designed products that cater for all bodies. LBDO is a safe space, a community you can feel included in and can learn from, and a wider brand experience that’s as pleasurable as our products.
What inspired your guided self-pleasure audios and can you tell us more about how they work?
In the same way that guided meditations and runs are designed to get you out of your head, we wanted to provide a tool that helps you relax and unwind, connect with your body and guide you through the process of self-pleasure.
We are so excited to be the first brand in Australia to offer inclusive guided self-pleasure audios. We have different audio options depending on your preference. There’s one for vulva-owners, with the option for it to be narrated by either Tera or Oliver. We also have guided audios for everybody, which uses non-gendered language and was created for those who prefer no specific reference to genitals.
Ultimately, the audios are designed to not be too descriptive as it is such a unique experience for everyone. They are to be used as a guide. Simply let go and feel good!
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What are your top tips for those of us looking to destigmatise sex and self-pleasure in our own lives?
Over the last few years, we’ve seen incredible activists, leaders and even celebrities shift the conversation around sexual wellness, with more and more businesses popping up to reclaim their place in the sex industry. We’ve started to see a move towards more accurate representations of sex and pleasure and increased access to inclusive use of language and marketing material of different people and bodies.
Despite these improvements, there’s still so much work to be done. Some of the ways I think we can begin to address any stigma around sex and self-pleasure in our own lives can include:
- Education: Whether it’s in porn, books or on television, we’re all still exposed to inaccurate or unhealthy understandings of sex and our own sexuality and pleasure. Because these aspects aren’t normalised, natural curiosity can often feel dirty and wrong. I encourage everyone to read, listen to podcasts, start to have open and honest conversations with the people around you, become familiar with your body and what feels good for you. There is nothing more powerful than further understanding and investing in yourself and your body.
- Advocacy: There are amazing organisations around the world that work tirelessly to highlight the importance of sexual health and to empower people to take ownership of their bodies and sexuality. Whether it’s to protect and support great existing policies or to advocate for better policies, any way you can advocate for and support sex-positive action will have a real impact on social change and help to remove stigma.
- Support: Whether it’s businesses, organisations, educators and activists or even your friends on their personal journey, keep an eye out for when there are calls for support and be there for them. It’s important to listen and help create safe spaces for individuals, groups and causes and, where needed, to share messages from them and the wider community to amplify their voices.
- Language: Stereotypes, assumptions and inaccurate representations can impact how sex and pleasure are understood and engaged with. They can also impact how we see and feel about ourselves, our bodies and our sexuality. The words we use around sex matter, whether it’s in the media, laws or everyday conversations. I encourage people to be aware of the significance of language, familiarise yourself with the appropriate terms and use them conscientiously and respectfully.
What’s next for LBDO?
My goal for the brand is to be an industry leader and driving force for change in continuing to normalise the conversation around sex and pleasure, reminding everyone that sexual health and wellness is just as important as your physical and mental health.
We’re fully committed to continuing to create and nurture a safe space and community. We’re constantly updating our educational blog, The Talk, where we highlight and discuss issues across important topics such as health, sex and pleasure, history, feminism and contemporary politics to help provide greater context and understanding around sexual health in the 21st century. We’re also working hard to develop new products and tools aimed at getting in touch with your body and allowing you to seek and experience pleasure the way you want to.
For more information, visit lbdo.com or @mylbdo on Instagram.
