Do You Have ‘The Ick’—or Are You Just Not That Into Someone?

Experts share questions you can ask yourself to decipher your ick-y feelings.

If rings are the ultimate show of devotion, then please allow my latest finger bling—the Flick ($64)—to publicly signify my commitment to… cumming. A wearable vibrator just released by Unbound, Flick looks like a ring but moonlights as a sex toy.

The Unbound Flick is not the first ever piece of vibrating jewelry. In fact, Unbound made headlines in 2019 when they first brought the vibrating ring phenomenon to the market with their original, but now discontinued, Palma. Meanwhile, luxury pleasure product companies Crave and Le Wand each sell a sleek, almost-too-pretty-to-use necklace called the Vesper ($165) and Necklace Vibe ($100), respectively.

What sets the Flick apart from these other discrete vibrators is its price and customizability. Retailing for less than $70, the Flick is more affordable than any other vibrating jewelry currently on the market. Plus, it was designed with multiple finger sizes in mind, which is something few other vibrating (or non-vibrating!) rings can say. “Each ring comes with four interchangeable bands that allow the product to accommodate sizes 4 to eleven,” explains Polly Rodriguez, co-founder of Unbound. “The band is also open on one side, allowing for fit flexibility,” she says.

These aren’t the only reasons I recommend making space in your jewelry box (or sex toy collection) for this subtle stimulator. My own hot-and-heavy experiences using the Flick contribute to my betrothment to this buzzy band, too. Read on for my full review.

Unbound Flick — $64.00

Colors: 2 | Vibration levels: 3 speeds, 2 patterns | Surface materials: Zinc alloy and Palladium for Silver color option and Zinc alloy, Palladium, Titanium, and 24K Gold for Gold colorwave

Dimensions: Flick is 1.37 inch by 1.3 inch by 1.3 inches

Sizes: Flick is made to fit fingers size 4 to size 11. Each ring has the size 6 to 7 (2 in to 2.15 in) band pre-installed, but comes with 3 additional interchangeable bands:

Ring sizes 4 to 5 (1.84 in to 1.94 in)
Ring sizes 8 to 9 (2.25 in to 2.35 in)
Ring sizes 10 to 11 (2.45 in to 2.55 in)

Pros

Functions as a ring and wearable, external vibrator
Both discrete and a conversation starter
Provides broad or pin-pointed stimulation
Adjustable ring band
Screwdriver for changing band is included
Lightweight enough to actually wear out
Single button allows for easy use
Travel-friendly
Easy to store

Cons

Water-resistant, but not waterproof
Not advised for those with a nickel allergy
Not made for internal (anal or vaginal) use
Vibrations may be too light and buzzy for some

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The Unbound Flick looks good and can make you feel good

The Unbound Flick may look like a collectible in a chic, costume jewelry line—but actually, it’s also a compact external vibrator. “Flick is a beautiful ring in its own right, but it’s also a vibrator that can make you feel good,” says Rodriguez. It can be a great sex toy for public play, sex parties, spontaneous solo sex, as well as travel, says Suzannah Weiss, an AASECT-certified sex educator and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject.

The thing is, wearing a vibrating ring that is designed to be seen and enjoyed isn’t just about reeling in orgasms and compliments. “Each time you catch a glimpse of it throughout your day, you’ll be reminded that your pleasure matters, which can feel incredibly empowering,” says sex educator and public health advocate Birna Gustafsson MSc, host of Beyond The Bedroom podcast. Not to mention, it can function as a very fun conversation starter, should you choose to let those around you in on your ring’s hidden abilities. “If you tell others that your ring is also a vibrator—or better yet ask them to guess what else it is—you are helping to normalize sexual pleasure and sexual confidence for women,” adds Jenn Gunsaullus, PhD, sexologist and sex coach, and author of From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinvesting Sex For Women.

Similar in size and shape to a peach ring, the Flick has a hole in the middle which helps the vibrations spread from the motor—located on the thinner side of the ring—around its circumference. This unique construction allows the single motor to provide different types of stimulation, depending on which portion of the discrete toy you press against your body, says Gustafsson. While the wide side of the ring provides lighter, broad stimulation that is ideal for folks who are easily overstimulated, the narrow side provides a more intense, buzzy sensation. “You can use the corners of the ring to your benefit if you prefer more pin-pointed stimulation,” she adds.

Noteworthy is that Flick’s versatility doesn’t come at the cost of ease-of-use. While many other vibrators that provide multiple types of stimulation sport three or four buttons for power-up and switching intensity mode, the Flick has just one. Simply press the button for 2 seconds to turn it on, then continue pressing it to change the intensity or pattern.

My experience with the Unbound Flick

The truth of the matter is I have a bit of a public play kink. I don’t actually want to be caught and take extra care to avoid having sex anywhere someone could inadvertently hear or see me without having first consented. But where other people see empty parking lots, coat rooms with locks, hiking trail off-shoots, and single-stall bathrooms for exactly what they are, I see them as a sexual fantasy waiting to be brought to life. Curious to see how Flick might up the ante of my public indiscretions, after getting dolled up for a night in the town with my partner and our friends, I adorned my fingers with my usual collection of rings… plus one.

While we were out to pizza, I flipped the Flick over so the vibrating portion was in my palm. Then, I turned it on and ran my hand up and down my partner’s jean-clap leg. The music overrode the slight sound of buzzing but the sensation was enough to let my partner know I was in a particularly playful mood. “Using something like this in public can also bring a sense of connection between you and your partner because only you two have the insider knowledge,” Dr. Gunsaullus says. And she is absolutely correct. When my partner nodded at me, letting me know that the game was very much on, I felt very seen by and connected to them.

When we finally arrived at a bar with enough single-stall bathrooms that we could play without the stress of holding up the line—I’m an exhibitionist, not selfish, after all—I made my move. I ventured off from the group and sent a text inviting my partner to join me. While I waited, I washed my ring with warm water and soap to rid it of any dirt and germs it may have acquired from bar-hopping. “Just as you would with any other toy or tool that comes into contact with your genitals, you should clean Flick before and after use,” says Gustafsson. After drying the vibrator, I teased myself with it over my pants while waiting for my plus one.

What followed was, well, exactly the kind of hungry sex I think about when I masturbate. And while I probably would have come in just about any position that night, the addition of the Flick on my clit while we played definitely sped things up.

Why you should try the Unbound Flick, too

As a ring-wearer who enjoys semi-public play, it isn’t surprising that I’m a fan of Flick—but the ring isn’t just for people with my particular pleasure or preferences. Flick is also a great choice for first-time vibrator owners, as well as those who enjoy penis and nipple stimulation.

The fact that Flick isn’t as phallic or pink as most sex toys can make the vibrator feel less intimidating to first-time sex users. Not to mention, “its discreet nature means no one else can tell if it’s a vibrator,” says Dr. Gunsaullus. And that stands whether someone sees it on your bedside table, or on your finger, which can come in handy for those who live with family or have other roommates.

Further, “while we generally think of vibrator jewelry as being used for clit and vulva stimulation, we can also think outside the box and use it to stimulate nipples, inner thighs, penis, or balls,” she says. You could, for example, turn the vibrator inward and keep it on while giving a hand job for some extra sensation, says Gustafsson. “You can also press the vibrator into the area behind the balls or at the base of the penis for some added heat,” she adds.

Of course, no sex toy is for absolutely everyone—and the Flick is no exception. In particular, those interested in internal play should opt for a dildo or G-spot wand instead, as Flick is not made for internal vaginal or anal stimulation. But in a world where mum’s the word on sex and pleasure, a product like Unbound Flick ($64) that invites both into the public sphere through fashion can be pretty darn powerful. And in my experience, so can the orgasms it facilitates.