In these cost-conscious times, it’s good for a girl to get recommendations before splashing the cash on anything. 

With this in mind, I decided to come up with a list of five cheap items that I think you should consider acquiring in order to improve your sex life. So, in no particular order…

Talcum powder

If, like me, you cannot put a wet razor near your bikini line without coming out in a rash and just haven't got the guts to try waxing, why not try an electric razor? Even a cheap one can work wonders if used with powder as this helps to eliminate friction, preventing missed bits and nicks. I use the classic Johnson's Baby Powder but there are many other brands to choose from. It's quick and easy, with great results.

Intimate wipes

Not every woman is able to remove her panties and reveal wonderfully fresh skin after a day at work so, on the occasions when such things might be required, a pack of intimate wipes is just the ticket for popping into your handbag. They're great for freshening up, are gentle on areas that require it and are also flushable. I've found that femfresh cleansing wipes are the best for me - worth paying a bit extra for - and their soap-free gel wash is fantastic too if you're cleaning up at home.

Quality lube

Not every sexual situation flows as well as we'd like every time so it's best to be prepared, and a decent lubricant is definitely something to have by your bed or packed in to your overnight bag. There are a great many types of lube but sadly only a handful of these are available in most high street stores, so it's worth doing a bit more exploring to find the one that works best for you. Pjur make a wide variety of types of lube and, although they may look a bit expensive, you only need to use a little every time and they don't dry out during use which makes them far more cost effective than some of the more readily available brands. Top tip: sex shops aimed at gay men are the best places to find a dazzling assortment of lubricants. They will also have them in small bottles and single-use tubes or sachets which are ideal for your, er, 'slut kit'.

Disposable Gloves

If things are going well and you're getting adventurous, you may need more than just condoms to use with your lube. Should you and/or your partner want to explore a little further with your fingers, gloves make things a lot easier to dive in and then clean up afterwards! You can find small packs of them in the supermarket along side the rubber gloves. This can be handy to snap up along with the weekly shop to see how you get on with them, but bulk buying online can sometimes be the way to go after that… especially if you start to work your way through a copy of A Hand in the Bush!

Bedside Bullet

Of course sometimes we're on our own, or perhaps we just need or fancy a little bit of extra buzz, and that's where toys come in handy. Forget the Rampant Rabbit - if you're only going to buy one vibrator this year, make sure it's a Mantric Bedside Bullet. This small discrete external vibe has many different settings and works an absolute treat. You can use it in conjunction with your favourite dildo or play partner, but it also hits the spot just fine on its own. Just remember to unplug the bullet from the controller or take out the batteries if you pack it in your washbag for a trip, or it *will* go off in your bag.

Image © Lori Smith