Dita Von Teese is good at her job — which, for all intents and purposes, is being sexy.
And at age 40, the LA-based burlesque star — and Marilyn Manson ex — is feeling hotter than ever.
“There’s a lot more to feeling sexy than just being young or having a perfect body,” says Von Teese. “It’s about cultivating your wit and cultivating your sexual power and technique. In the last 10 years, I feel much more savvy about seduction and my ability to relate to men in a better, more suave way than I did when I was much younger.”
To Von Teese, who brings her famed “Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray” act to The Gramercy Theater starting Sept. 30, seduction should look and seem effortless — and she says the way to do that is by practicing it in everyday life.
“Men are quite easy,” says the professional seductress, who was born Heather Renée Sweet and grew up in Orange County, Calif. “For me, indulging in beautiful lingerie and pleasurable things that many people reserve just for seduction, I like to include those things in my everyday life.”
That means installing dimmer switches in every room of her Hollywood home, keeping candles lit at all times and spritzing herself with her favorite perfume daily.
“That way, when it comes time to seduce, I can focus on other things, like using my wit,” says the burlesque queen, who boasts her own lingerie collection, Von Follies, which is currently sold online and will have a US retailer in spring 2014.
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Von Teese, who is dating casually (she’s recently been linked to Russell Crowe), insists she’s still single. She thinks sexiness is all about highlighting one’s best assets.
“Good lighting is important,” she advises. “Good lighting and keeping it mysterious. You have to leave them wanting more.”
And her tips for men looking to up their lovemaking skills? “The best thing is not to learn from watching porn,” she warns. “It’s not reality.”
Von Teese is definitely the adventurous type — she even agreed to take The Post’s annual sex survey. Read on to get a peek into Von Teese’s bedroom likes, dislikes and thoughts on sexting.
How would you rate the last time you had sex? It was pretty fun. It was fun in a way that you were like, ‘Oh, this would be a great story to tell.’ It was a good story to tell. That’s all.
Generally, when I have sex, it’s: Exciting. As a single girl, I’m not having sex with the same person on a regular basis. Exciting is the right word — is it going to be good, is it going to be bad? I don’t know, but I’m excited wondering!
What’s the key to mind-blowing sex? The key to mind-blowing sex is when two people come together who have an unmistakable magnetism you cannot create or describe. But also two people who are not inhibited, who are willing to be vulnerable and share what they want and what they need in the bedroom.
When was the last time you had a one-night stand? Never.
If you were looking for a one-night stand in NYC, which neighborhood would be most likely to provide what you’re looking for?
I would have no idea. I’ve tried that plenty of times and have not been successful. I’ve got standards. I’d love to have a one-night stand — but not with just any jackass. But if you could point me in the right direction . . .
What’s your number (of sex partners)? I would tell you — if I knew how many there were. Every time I’ve tried to count — you know, you sit around with your friends and say, ‘Let’s count how many people we’ve slept with’ — it goes on for weeks: ‘I just remembered another person to add to the list!’ I’ve had a colorful sexual life.
If you’re dating somebody new, how many sex partners would be too many for you to consider dating them? That would never come into play, especially if they’ve been responsible and practice safe sex and don’t have too many children running around. I like people who are experienced sexually. It makes them appreciate me more and it makes them better at what they do. And more open.
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the kinkiest, how kinky are you? That’s tough, because I have a different sliding scale than probably most of your readers. I’m going to go with 5, bearing in mind that that’s among people I know, and not people whom the readers know.
Have you slept with someone on the first night after meeting on a dating Web site/app? I’ve never used a dating Web site or app. I would love to — but I’m afraid I couldn’t without being found out.
Have you ever texted or e-mailed nude or lewd photographs of yourself to someone else? Of course. All the time.
If yes, do you feel you are fit to run for public office? No. No one’ s ever going to let me run for public office — and that’s okay with me.
If you’re in a relationship, do you consider sexting someone else cheating? If you’re in a committed relationship? It’s not cheating, but it is questionable behavior. I would feel guilty if I were doing that and I would not want to be in a relationship if I were sexting someone else.
Have you ever been caught by your lover/partner sending inappropriate messages or pictures to someone else? Never.
How often do you watch porn? Once a month, at most. It’s not something I regularly do, but every once in a while I’m interested.
Have you ever watched porn while having sex? Yes.
After you’ve gotten intimate with someone, how long do you wait before introducing porn into your lovemaking? Three months, if at all.
What’s the best kind of porn for seducing a new lover? Porn and seducing a new lover I don’t think really go hand in hand. You shouldn’t be getting to the porn conversations until well into the relationship, until you feel like you want to spice things up and discover more about each other and talk more about your taste. One thing I’ve noticed is that people often talk about porn. I once dated someone who asked, ‘What kind of porn do you like?’ Then I told him, and he was totally put off by it. If you’re going to go there, you have to decide that your fantasies are a safe space to go wherever you want. And just because you like watching a certain type of porn doesn’t mean you want to do it. And I think men, especially young men, can be quite insecure about those types of things.
What’s the ideal point at which to have sex for the first time? I can’t really say there is one. I’ve had really long relationships with people I’ve had sex with on the first date, and I’ve waited for a month before. It’s a case-by-case basis.
Have you ever faked an orgasm? Yeah, I’m sure I have — I was 20 once! But I wouldn’t now. I have no need to. Once you get to a certain age, you’re like, ‘I know what I need.’ But when you’re younger, you’re afraid and insecure to say you need more than just penetration.
Have you ever stopped having sex before having an orgasm? Yes.
What is the best strip club in New York City for men? I think the golden age of the strip club is kind of over, and you don’t find the really great, beautiful strippers in strip clubs anymore, sadly. My last few experiences with strip clubs in any state, any city, were not very good. I was appalled by what I saw. I used to work in strip clubs, so I’ve spent a lot of time in strip clubs, and I felt like they had nothing. I feel very strongly that there was a golden age for strip clubs — and it’s over.
What is the best strip club in New York City for women? For women, I would say come to my show! We have it all.
Who’s hotter: Beyoncé or Lady Gaga? I’ve got to say Beyoncé, mostly because I just love her — and I know the little monsters are going to come after me for it. I did just get a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Lady Gaga for a favor I did for her, but I’m a big Beyoncé fan.
Who’s hotter: Derek Jeter or Matt Harvey? I have no clue who these men are.
If you could live out a sex fantasy from a TV show, you’d pick: “Downton Abbey.”
Of the following made-up names for sex acts, which would you most like to perform in the next three months: Royal Dalton, Carlos Danger, Easter Egg Hunt, Puppy Love or Three-Fisted Heimlich? Easter Egg Hunt.
Which most closely describes your position on threesomes? They promise more than they deliver.
Do you know what a “unicorn” is? Yes. I have a lot of friends who refer to unicorns as the magical creatures that come into their sex lives to spice things up. [See page 47 for more on this phenomenon.]
If yes, do unicorns exist? No.
Do you describe your sexual liaisons to your best friend? Yes, we share everything.
What’s the sexiest street name in NYC? Lafayette.
dschuster@nypost.com