13 Types of Kisses That Will Have You Both Craving More

Hot take alert: Kissing is the most intimate thing you and your partner can do. (Like, sorry, but there’s a reason why Julia Roberts refused to kiss the dude in Pretty Woman, mmk?). And yet, somehow, it’s often what couples neglect the most when sex becomes introduced into the relationship.

But FWIW, this is a gdam travesty considering the power of kissing your partner. Not only does it release all those feel-good endorphins (similarly to sex), but in my personal opinion, no 10 minutes of humping can equate to the amount of love that just one kiss holds.

There’s also just so much variety in the type of kiss you and your partner share—and for the most part, they all have different meanings. It’s like a spectrum: One kiss could indicate, “Hey, I’m ready for you to be inside of me like yesterday” and another could mean that you feel safe, happy, and loved, but don’t necessarily want things to lead to sex.

Some kisses don’t even have to be shared with your intimate partner! (Like I said, versatile).

So if you’re ready to up your kiss game and add some extra oomph to your puckered up lips rn, here are the 13 best kisses to share with your partner (and in some cases, for the close people in your life). After all, making out is le best for showing affection.

Top of the head kiss

Aww, cute. You probably remember receiving these from your parental units wayyy back when you were cuddled up on the couch. "A top of the head kiss is perfect for building trust and intimacy,” says dating coach Damona Hoffman, host of Dates & Mates podcast. “When you feel bonded to and protected by your partner it can deepen emotional as well as physical intimacy. We all need tenderness, especially at such an uncertain time.”

Royal Hand Kiss

A person kissing the top of another’s offered hand is the most formal of kisses. The traditional ritual doesn’t imply affection—it's more a polite and respectful greeting among strangers meeting for the first time.

Air Kiss

Air-kissing is a social gesture that involves pursing your lips and leaning in as if you’re kissing, but without actually touching the other person’s cheek (the little “mwah” sound is optional). It can be a hello or a goodbye and communicates endearment—like, something you may do with a friend or family member when you're saying goodbye.

Cheek Kiss

Very popular in Europe, one or two light kisses on the cheek is a friendly greeting that says “happy to see you” between friends, family, partners, and sometimes, strangers. But say it happens with a romantic partner post-date, assume it's their respectful way of telling you they had a great time, but want to take things slow.

Forehead Kiss

“The forehead kiss is atypical, which makes it more memorable,” explains Richmond. Perhaps this is the reason #foreheadkisses have been tagged 33.8k times on Instagram. Not only is it compassionate and warm, but it communicates love in a non-sexual way. The gesture is typically reserved for someone special, like someone you're really feeling.

Eskimo Kiss

Some think it’s corny, but some couples love to rub noses because it’s “their thing” and unique to the relationship. There’s no lip-touching in an Eskimo kiss, but it’s intimate without being sexual. “You have to be very close to someone, whether you’re looking into their eyes or closing your eyes and feeling their breath,” says Richmond.

Single Lip Kiss

This seductive, warm-up move involves kissing the person’s bottom lip while they kiss your top lip (or vice-versa). The single lip kiss is a playful tease; an offer that maybe there’s more to come...

French Kiss

Oui, oui! The open-mouth kiss with tongue is all types of erotic—there’s almost no other kiss that connects two people more. But keep it for the bedroom, mmk? It's probably not supes appropriate when you're tonguing at a funeral or a Starbucks.

Bite Kiss

Kissing and playful biting on the lips, cheeks, jawline, collarbone, or neck can be really tantalizing (but no hickies, please!). How hard you nibble is of personal preference, so make sure to tell your boo what really drives you crazy. And while it makes for a seductive first-time hookup, introduce the idea slowly. “Go easy to start and you’ll know if it’s well-received,” says Richmond. “If the person pulls back, it’s off the table.”

Lizard Kiss

Just tongues, and that’s it. The lizard kiss is an unconventional type of foreplay that two people really have to find sexy… but, hey, don’t knock it ’til you try it!

Neck Kiss

Neck kisses are highly depicted in movies and most often referenced in romance novels starring Fabio-esque male leads, but they’re even more sensual IRL. The neck is an underrated erogenous zone full of delicate, sensitive nerve endings, making for very fiery foreplay —especially for women.

Body Kiss

Besides the neck, there are tons of other areas on the body worth kissing, including the chest, stomach, torso, feet, and booty. All this depends on an individual’s sexual preferences and ticklish meter. Remember, what feels good to one person might not feel good to another. “If you really pay attention to your partner's body language, you’re going to get a lot of information," says Richmond

Nipple Kiss

Kissing, licking, and sucking a partner’s nipples is a body kiss deserving of its own category—and let's be honest, it feels pretty effing amazing for both women and men. But again, everyone’s sexual proclivity is different and this is an area that requires staying attuned with intimate communication advises Richmond. If your partner is moaning and moving towards you, that’s a green light. If his or her body recoils or tenses, take that as a no-go.

Genital Kiss

It’s a sultry tease to kiss your bae through their underwear, using only your lips for epic foreplay at the spot where they really enjoy it. With your partner begging for more, remove the barrier, introduce tongue... and enjoy the grand finale. Are you seeing sparks yet?