Desires

Fetish 101: Blindfolding

by The HUD App Team

Fetishes are a normal part of being a sexual human. What turns you on is individual and unique. HUD App’s “Fetish 101” series aims to destigamitize, educate, and clarify, so we can all learn and feel good about our desires.

Everyone has a silk scarf or a repurposed airline eye mask in their bedside table drawer ready to pop on for some passionate experimentation, right? The idea of blindfolding might make you think of steamy movie scenes, or maybe it just gives you awkward flashbacks to childhood party games (thanks, pin the tail on the donkey). But maybe it’s time to give this underrated move the spotlight it deserves.

Because, blindfolding? It’s not just a fetish. It’s about curiosity. Trust. A way to make your hookup hotter without needing to break out a single toy. And, side note: Thanks to HUD App’s Bedroom feature, you can actually signal that you’re into blindfolding (and/or other stuff), right there on your profile. Think of it as your way of saying, “Yes, I’m into sensory play, and yes, I know how to make it safe, sexy, and consensual.”

What’s so nice about blindfolding?

When you remove someone’s ability to see, their brain kicks the other senses into high gear. Suddenly, that fingertip brushing your thigh? Gives you the shivers. That whisper? Spine-tingling. With a blindfold, every touch, sound, and scent is dialed way up, and that means more intensity, more surprise, and way less overthinking.

For casual daters, the novelty can be golden. You don’t need to know every detail of someone’s past bedroom experience to create a vibe that feels new and connected. Just blindfold them (with consent - always), and let sensation lead the way.

Surprise me

Anticipation is a major turn-on. When your partner can’t see what’s coming, every moment becomes a guessing game - in the best way. Is that your lips? Your hand? A feather? “Spiraling” takes on a whole new meaning.

Even simple things feel heightened when you add a blindfold. You don’t need to be an expert in the bedroom. You just need to be intentional. Move slower. Change things up. Whisper something cheeky. The blindfold creates a vibe where the smallest shifts feel monumental.

Introducing a blindfold during intimacy can heighten your other senses, making even the lightest touch feel more intense.

Hot tip: Trust = a better time for everyone

Blindfolding only works if everyone feels safe and seen (yes, we know, they can’t literally see, but you get our meaning). So before you get frisky, talk about it. Ask, “Wanna try a blindfold?” If they’re into it, agree on a safe word or check-in cue.

This kind of convo doesn’t kill the mood; it builds the foundation for a truly great experience. Because when someone trusts you enough to let you block one of their senses, that’s not just hot. That’s intimacy, baby.

Power play, but ease into it

Not ready for full-on ropes-and-restraints BDSM? No worries. Blindfolding is like dipping a toe into the power play pool. Whoever wears the blindfold surrenders a little control, while the other takes the lead. It’s a dynamic that can feel wildly sexy (even in one-night stands) because it invites vulnerability without pushing limits. Plus, you don’t need fancy gear. A soft scarf, a cozy sleep mask, or even a clean T-shirt tied gently can do the trick. Just make sure it’s comfy, breathable, and easy to remove.

Add blindfolding to your Bedroom

Here’s where HUD App’s My Bedroom feature comes in: You can actually list blindfolding as a turn-on, right there in your profile. It's a low-pressure way to signal, “Hey, I’m open to exploring sensation play,” and a great way to match with people who are curious, respectful, and just as into trying new things as you are.

So next time you’re looking for something new to try, or a new way to connect with your casual date, consider keeping your eyes shut. Sometimes, the hottest moves are the ones you don’t see coming.

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