Road Test: I tried Australian brand Rosewell’s sex toys to see if they live up to the hype

In an effort to reignite my libido, I tried Rosewell’s two signature intimacy objects: Bend and Dip. 

If you’re in the market for a new vibrator but feel overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of options avail, I’ve roadtested two candidates vying for bedside residence in your winter lair. It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.

Rosewell is a Brisbane-based brand ‘built for the human experience’. Founded by Alisha Williams and a close-knit female-only team, the intimacy brand exists to shape a new lexicon and liberate the future of sexual wellness. Rosewell’s website is a veritable sex wellness dreamscape replete with other fun stuff, too, like ‘Love Deeply’ intimacy cards and ‘Dinner Parties’ conversational games to play outside of the bedroom in a bid to reconnect with others. 

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It’s all bandied about a lot right now: sex tools, lubes and the new brands staking their claims in the sex space. But how can you discern what’s authentic and built with intention versus what’s dropshipped from Aliexpress to make a quick buck?

I first met Alisha through Instagram (not entirely sure how or when). Since our virtual meeting, we’ve spoken about the industry, vibrators and verification of sex wellness products for what feels like aeons. I’ve been lucky enough to receive a few gifted intimacy tools in my unplanned sex-adjacent journalistic career. 

Over the last year, the sexual wellness industry has gotten a pleasure-centric makeover, moving away from its outdated and hyper-sexualised past. With a slew of cool new brands on the market, Rosewell’s all-female team have made a splash (pun intended) with stripped-back, elegant toys. In an effort to reignite my libido, I tried Rosewell’s two signature intimacy objects: Bend and Dip. 

Bend is an aptly named flexible eight-speed wonder, malleable (up to 180 degrees) to shape however you please. Coming in at $149, it’s a bit of an investment instrument. But with a double coat of soft, medical-grade silicone, understated style and ultra-quiet reverberation, you’re spending on something both safe and reliable. 

Dip (previously known as ‘Bean’) is actually my preference out of the two. I think I must be wired to like external stimulation versus internal when it comes to choosing a tool. Alternatively, Bend might be perfect for your anatomy – and is generally better for partner exploration. After all, intimacy is just that: very intimate and subjective. We all have different inclinations and desires, so trial and error are key to figuring it out.

Dip is sort of an oyster-like shape (which are apparently aphrodisiacs – very fitting). Same-ish deal with a one-button function but a myriad of buzzy settings (a professional term), made for external use only. This means it’s for on and around the vulva or literally wherever else you deem appropriate. Rosewell calls this one “the modern massager”, which is a pretty good shout. It’s super compact and comes in a teenie white cloth bag. 

On that note, I must award unofficial extra points to Rosewell for their incredibly luxurious packaging. My favourite touch is a quote card that comes with each package, inscribed with one of the greatest quotes ever written by Oscar Wilde, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance”. It doubles as a daily affirmation to chuck on the fridge; a reminder of everything these products encapsulate. 

Pleasure and intimacy should transcend the four walls of a bedroom (or shower). It should flow through to a higher sense of self, empowering us to feel in control of and in touch with our desires – whatever they may be. I think these tools achieve the goal set at their inception; to honour sexual pleasure as something deeply human again. 

This article was originally published on March 14, 2022.

Find the right Rosewell product for you here.