If you’ve been alive since the 90s, chances are you’ve either been invited to a Pure Romance party or heard whispers about them over cocktails. You know the invite: “Come over Friday night for wine, laughs, and… education.” Translation? There will be lube samples, giggle fits, and at least one person blushing so hard you worry they’ll combust.

But what started as a side hustle in a Cincinnati basement became an empire. Yep, Pure Romance history is proof that people love two things: Tupperware-style gatherings and finding out what a dual-action vibrator can really do.

Pure Romance was founded in 1993 by Patty Brisben. She saw a huge gap: women (and eventually men, couples, queer folks, and everyone in between) wanted real info about sex and sexual health without the stigma. So she started what became the OG home sex toy party - part classroom, part comedy show, part discreet shopping trip.

By 2000, Patty’s son Chris Cicchinelli joined, and things went national. The rebrand to “Pure Romance” stuck, consultants multiplied like rabbits, and suddenly there was an entire industry built around what we now call the pleasure party.

Over the years, they swallowed up rivals like Slumber Parties and Passion Parties, cornering the market. This made them the name everyone associates with adult toy parties - and honestly, no one’s grandma was safe from an invite.

If you’ve never been to one, here’s what went down in the heyday:

1. Warm-Up: Adults only. A little wine, a little laughter, and a promise of no judgment. The consultant cracks a joke to ease the tension (pun fully intended).

2. Demo Time: Products get revealed in a safe-to-touch, not-to-use format. It starts with “mild” stuff like bath oils and lubes before moving to the heavy hitters.

3. Private Shopping: Want that clitoral suction toy? Cool. You get to ask your questions one-on-one without announcing your needs to the room.

4. Host Rewards: The brave soul who opened their living room usually scored freebies or credit. Who doesn’t want a free vibrator as a hostess gift?

5. Aftercare: Orders, follow-ups, and sometimes scheduling the next intimate wellness party .

It worked because it mixed education, laughter, and privacy in a way no sex shop ever could.

Let’s be real. Half the time, people showed up for the snacks and wine, but they stayed because:

• They learned more about anatomy and orgasms in one night than in 12 years of health class.

• It was private and safe to ask, “Wait, what does a cock ring actually do?”

• Humor made everything less intimidating.

• The consultant acted more like a sexy professor than a pushy salesperson.

And for the hosts? It was a status symbol. You were basically the Oprah of orgasms in your friend group.

For years, Pure Romance MLM was the backbone of the business. Consultants could sell products and recruit others. Like all MLMs, it had fans who loved the community and flexibility, and critics who rolled their eyes at the structure.

But in 2023, Pure Romance officially pivoted away from MLM. They traded in the upline/downline model for an omnichannel approach. Translation: you can now shop online, go to live shopping events, or still hit up a Pure Romance party. They also launched the Pure Romance affiliate program, making it easier for influencers and educators to earn without building a sales “team.” Honestly, a glow-up.

So what’s it like today? Think less pyramid scheme, more sip-and-shop.

• Booking & Themes: Bachelorette? Girls’ night? Queer couples’ hang? You pick the vibe.

• The Pleasure Pro: A consultant (now rebranded as an expert rep) guides the fun. Equal parts sex educator and hype person.

• Hands-On, Not In: You can touch, smell, and ask—but no one’s stripping down.

• Private Checkout: Some traditions never die. Ordering is still private.

• Digital Perks: Post-party, you’ll get emails, guides, and yes, deals. It’s party meets e-commerce.

If you’re wondering how to host a Pure Romance party, it’s basically booking online, picking your theme, and letting the consultant bring the show to you.

• Bath & Body: The gateway drug. Massage oils, mists, creams.
• Lubricants: Silicone, water-based, hybrids, and the occasional warming gel. 
• Toys: From bullets to blended vibes to butt plugs, reps break down materials, motors, and care.
• Couples Items: Vibrators, rings, toys for two, plus scripts for introducing them without killing the mood.
• Storage & Care: Toy cleaner, discreet bags, and warranties. Because no one wants to explain a melted vibrator to their roommate.

Even with online shopping, Pure Romance parties still thrive because:

• People crave human connection when learning about sex.

• They normalize sexual wellness across genders, orientations, and ages.

• They make conversations about toys, lube, and pleasure feel safe and even… fun.

• They’re flexible. Want a bachelorette sex toy party ? Done. Want an intimate wellness party about anatomy and self-care? Also done.

The SHE+ Foundation, launched by Patty Brisben, takes the sex-ed mission further. It funds real research in women’s sexual wellness, tackling the stuff medical systems often ignore. This is what gives Pure Romance some legitimacy beyond just being “that toy party company.”

Pair that with the rise of sex-positive education, and you get why these events keep happening. They’re not just sales pitches - they’re classrooms in disguise.

• Set the tone with your invite. Say it’s fun, educational, and no-pressure.
• Keep the snacks coming, but turn the music down. Nothing kills a demo faster than yelling over Lizzo.
• Have question cards. Not everyone is brave enough to ask, “What’s the difference between G-spot and clitoral stimulation?” out loud.
• Time it right. A 45-minute demo + shopping is the sweet spot.

Unlike the early days when it was marketed mostly to straight women, today’s Pure Romance parties are far more inclusive. Consultants use body-positive, gender-aware language and welcome queer couples, poly folks, and anyone curious about exploring pleasure. It’s about creating a space where everyone can ask the questions they’ve been Googling at 2 a.m.

Pure Romance didn’t just sell vibrators. It sold comfort, conversation, and community. Whether you call it an adult toy party, a pleasure party, or a home sex toy party, the formula still works: a safe space, real education, laughter, and discreet shopping.

The business model may have evolved - from Pure Romance MLM to affiliate-friendly omnichannel - but the core idea hasn’t. People still want to learn, laugh, and shop for pleasure products in an environment that doesn’t feel like a sales pitch.

So if you’re looking for a night that’s equal parts fun, educational, and blush-inducing, maybe it’s time to host your own. And if you need supplies for your own solo parties, Popstar’s Volume + Taste Supplement and Delay Spray have you covered.