There’s nothing better than sharing an amazing first kiss with someone. It feels as if the stars align, fireworks are shooting off, and you’re doing 100 drum solos all at once. On the flip side, there’s nothing more awkward than a bad first kiss. Whether you bump heads or awkwardly don’t know what to do with your hands, the last thing you want is to feel weird about kissing someone. We’ll help you prepare for the big moment.
Kissing is more than just a lot of fun to do though. It’s also good for your health. It can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and lower your blood pressure. Kissing can even boost your immune system, promote good dental health, and firm up your facial muscles. Not to mention that it makes you feel fantastic!
Need kissing lessons? Don’t worry, everyone was a beginner at some point. Learn how to kiss someone for the first time or brush up on your kissing skills with these five tips.
1. Freshen your breath
Funky breath or chapped lips can kill the mood in five seconds flat. When you kiss someone with bad breath, it’s all you can think about. That, plus how quickly you can get out of it. It’s also probably what you’ll remember most about the kiss.
Take steps to prepare for the big moment: Keep your lips moisturized, have gum or breath mints on hand, and go easy on the onions and garlic at dinner. Be the kind of kisser you’d want to kiss, and you’ll more than likely get a second and third go.
2. Make meaningful eye contact
When you’re about to kiss someone, it’s normal to be so nervous that you can’t even look them in the eye. But that moment is crucial to a great kiss. Before you lock lips, make eye contact first to establish a connection. It creates anticipation and is surprisingly intimate.
They say the eyes are the window to the soul and you can tell a lot about how someone’s feeling by really looking into theirs. By sharing a moment before you move in for the kiss, you put them at ease and reassure them that you’re on the same page.
3. Go slowly at first
First kisses are exciting, but they’re also nerve-wracking. Our advice for how to kiss someone is to go slowly and take your time. Lean in and tilt your head to one side (so you don’t bump noses), and your partner should take the hint and tilt the other direction. If they don’t, you can gently take their chin or cheek in your hand and guide them into position.
Start kissing with soft, slow pressure and try to avoid speeding up right away or using too much tongue. Ease into every part of it together and follow each other’s lead.
4. Know where to put your hands
It’s the most-asked question among people learning how to kiss someone: “What do I do with my hands?” The short answer is whatever feels right in the moment and whatever your partner is comfortable with. This is a key part of what makes a great kiss.
Do what feels the best, whether it be putting your hands on their hips or around their neck. Try placing a hand on their cheek, under their chin, or in their hair. If things heat up, you can rub their back or inner thigh. Once you start kissing, any doubts will vanish from your mind and you’ll instinctively know what to do.
5. Be in the moment
One of the best parts about a kiss is the moment right before it happens. The moment when you both realize what’s about to happen. Your heart is racing, the butterflies are fluttering in your chest, and all you can think is: “Oh my gosh, we’re about to kiss!”
That moment goes by in a split second, but it’s one of the most exciting, electric feelings on the planet. Take a deep breath, focus on the person in front of you, and enjoy the moment to the fullest. Being present will make you a better kisser.
If you find yourself locking lips and still feeling like you don’t know how to kiss someone, don’t worry. You can always resort to the fail-safe: Follow their lead and do whatever they’re doing. Are they kissing lightly and making slow circles with their tongue? Match their actions and do the same.
It’s okay if you don’t get the hang of it right away. Kissing is a skill and you’ll get better and more comfortable with it in time. Plus, the right partner can make all the difference. Practice makes perfect!
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