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How One Sex Tech Brand Uses Swarovski Crystals, Gold Accents To Fight Stigma

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After a year of social distancing and lockdowns, it’s only natural that people should feel the need to indulge. One of the healthiest and most accessible ways to do so is through sexual pleasure, which, thanks to technology, is easier to do than ever—no partner required.

Those looking to take their pleasure arsenal up a notch have a new option available thanks to Zalo USA, a vibrator and sex toy company that is also the United States-based distribution of European luxury kink accessory company UPKO

“There’s been a growing awareness surrounding self-care, which we’ve seen is helping consumers to overcome shame and stigma around masturbation and pleasure,” says Peter Ovsonka, president & CEO of Zalo USA. “As this intimate form of self-care becomes more widely accepted, so does treating oneself to a luxury pleasure product that caters to individual desires,” he says.


Zalo’s different product styles incorporate intuitive engineering and top-of-the-line craftsmanship, offering functions like pre-heating to body temperature, Bluetooth connectivity, and whisper-quiet dual motors.

“Everyone is different in how they find pleasure, so not every toy is made for every desire. Zalo offers toys for a range of all desires and functions; all of our styles have advanced technology designed with the consumer experience in mind,” Ovsonka says.

The Legend Series Queen G-spot Massager uses Zalo’s proprietary PulseWave technology. PulseWave is different from conventional vibrating sensations in that it concentrates the vibrations more directly and powerfully and has the ability to penetrate even the most sturdy materials, like silica gel. “With PulseWave technology, every vulva-owner can more intimately explore their G-spot,” says Ovsonka. 

PowerThrust technology, which is also proprietary to Zalo, is utilized in the King vibrating thruster. This machine combines high-performance motor systems and precision electric drive structures with a frequency of up to 40 times per second for a powerful orgasm experience.

A recent addition to the Legend Series is Bess, a clitoral vibrator that uses DirectPower vibration transmission technology to concentrate stimulation on the clitoris more powerfully. Bess is designed with ergonomic comfort to be held and is extremely quiet for discreet use.

In addition to tech, they are also just nice to look at. This is notable, considering people don’t often purchase sex toys based on aesthetics alone. Zalo indulges in opulent aesthetics and includes details like gold plating, jewelry-grade enamel details, Swarovski crystals, and silky food-grade silicone. Taking the luxury concept a step further, Zalo features collections called “Legends” and “Versailles,” with product names like “Queen,” “Hero,” “Marie,” and “Confidence.”

Though Zalo’s products clock in under $200, which is considered accessible for pleasure products, Ovsonka says they are all inspired by the “opulence of fine jewelry,” which he says, “evokes a sense of sophisticated self-indulgence—we encourage customers to indulge in their pleasure.”

Zalo’s product line was recently added to Organic Loven, an online organic intimacy shop that features expert-recommended products run by erotic educator Taylor Sparks.

“Zalo has taken a simple masturbation toy and used design elements such as gold and crystals to make it less intimidating by giving it a touch of luxury,” Sparks says. “Some masturbation toys that look very phallic in nature can trigger thoughts of shame because ‘good girls’ don’t masturbate or seek to pleasure themselves,” she adds.

Sparks says that the design features play into “a bit of a mind game.” “If it looks beautiful and luxurious, then it can’t be wrong,” she says. “It works for some who may be still struggling with the sexual shame brought on by religion or culture.”

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