There’s no shame in being new to BDSM. And while investing in kink gear and bondage sex toys can be fun, this kind of play is ultimately about you, your partner or partners, and consensual power exchange, not capitalism. BDSM doesn’t require any money, all you have to do ie be creative and enjoy.

Talk through your interests and boundaries.

When we talk about dominance and submission using bondage sex toys, we’re talking about consensual power exchange: That means that even if a submissive partner is tied up and allowing the dominant partner to dictate what happens in a scene, the terms have been discussed and agreed upon by all partners beforehand. In fact, the sub can even be thought of as the one in control, since it’s the dominant partner’s responsibility to always respect their limits. Before trying anything new, talk it over with your partner to make sure you’re both into whatever’s about to go down. You may be interested in choosing a safe word that stops play if needed. Learning your turn-ons and boundaries (and your partner’s) is all part of the fun of BDSM, and discussing your encounter before it happens can be its own anticipation-building form of foreplay.

Try out some dirty talk

Are you a submissive who likes being reprimanded? Do you want to be told that you’re a bad girl and that you’re going to do what daddy wants? Ask your partner to talk dirty to you. Anyone can engage in dirty talk related to BDSM themes, whether you are dominant, submissive, or both (someone who plays both roles is referred to as a switch). Dirty talk allows you to express your desires. Verbal cues also help you visualize hot fantasies. Say you have a fantasy of being restrained but for now just want to hear your partner tell you about how they’re going to tie you up and (consensually) use you, or you’d like to see how it feels to call them “sir.” Dirty talk lets you explore fantasies before physically trying them.

Add a blindfold

Adding sensory deprivation to your sex life is an easy and tantalizing way to build tension. When you temporarily subtract stimuli from one sense, you can heighten others: For instance, when you can’t see because you’re wearing a blindfold, a whisper in your ear or the taste of your partner’s mouth may seem all the more intense — and exciting.

If you want to buy a bondage sex toyslike a blindfold, start with a comfy silk one. You can also use a sleeping mask or the silk tie of a bathrobe. Depending on what role you want to play, ask your partner to blindfold you or ask if you can blindfold them. Once the blindfold is on, the partner not wearing it can tease and tantalize the wearer, leaving them guessing what’s coming next by kissing all over their body, whispering dirty talk into their ear, or tickling erogenous zones with a feather.