Buzz
Uncover the perks of kissing and explore the many styles you can try
Kissing is a powerful way to express love and connection—it’s no surprise there are countless ways to do it! Keep reading to discover various types of kisses, their meanings, and the right moments for each. Plus, dating coach Eddy Baller shares expert advice on becoming a fantastic kisser.
Varieties of Kisses
- Social kisses are light gestures of affection typically shared in public or formal environments.
- Friendly kisses are gentle, closed-mouth kisses exchanged between close friends or family members.
- Romantic kisses tend to be deeper and more lingering, symbolizing love and passion.
- Sexual kisses involve more intensity, often using the tongue and teeth to enhance sensation.
Instructions
Social Kisses
Air kiss As a form of greeting, people tilt their heads toward each other and purse their lips without making contact. This has become a common social gesture across many cultures to acknowledge someone within your circle.
- What it means: It signals that the person sees you as a familiar or friendly acquaintance and intends to greet you warmly.
Hand kiss In highly formal settings, a woman offers her right hand, which a gentleman gently lifts and kisses on top—though the lips may never touch. Often reserved for older or distinguished women like officials.
- What it means: It’s a sign of refined manners and deep respect. These days, it's more commonly used humorously or theatrically than in real life.
- Traditionally, the woman should initiate this gesture. If she raises her right hand with the palm facing down, the man typically understands what to do.
- Sometimes, the kiss is symbolic only—no actual contact is made.
Peck A quick cheek kiss, often used socially. Depending on the culture, it might be one kiss, two—one on each cheek—or even three alternating kisses. The number can even reflect your closeness to the other person—your place in their "pecking order."
- What it means: Culturally, it could show you're a close friend or simply be a friendly social custom.
- If you're unsure of the proper etiquette, observe others first or follow the lead of the person greeting you. If it's confusing, it's perfectly fine to say, "I'm unfamiliar with the custom—could you show me?"
Friendly Kisses
Top-of-the-head kiss This type of kiss usually occurs when the person kissing you is much taller or you're seated while they're standing. It's often a quick peck and may come with a gentle squeeze on the shoulder or a playful hair ruffle.
- What it means: A gesture of affection, often seen between a parent and child or among adults when height difference allows—sometimes playfully.
Forehead kiss A forehead kiss is typically a soft, passing peck, though it may linger slightly if the moment calls for more emotional depth. It's commonly shared between a parent and child or partners showing quiet care.
- What it means: A sign of deep, comforting affection—often familial, but also shared between romantic partners to express warmth and tenderness.
Cheek kiss A gentle kiss on the cheek is a classic friendly gesture—often remembered as the goodbye kiss when lips were hoped for instead. It’s soft, light, and might leave a lipstick mark if makeup's involved.
- What it means: Friendly affection without necessarily implying romance. If you're still getting to know someone, it might reflect a slow, cautious approach.
- If you're unsure what a cheek kiss means, talk about it! You could say, "I hoped to kiss you on the lips—was there a reason you turned away?"
Nose kiss A kiss on the nose is sweet and playful, often shared with children or among friends as a lighthearted show of affection. It’s like saying, "You’re adorable!"
- What it means: Protective, affectionate love—often given in a gentle or silly moment.
Eskimo kiss Technically not a kiss in the traditional sense, this gesture involves rubbing noses rather than lips. It’s perfect when it’s chilly out—or when you want to be adorably close without actual kissing.
- What it means: A fun, loving way to show you care—ideal for close friends or family in a playful mood.
Butterfly kiss Much like the Eskimo kiss, a butterfly kiss skips the lips and uses the soft flutter of your eyelashes against someone's skin. It's a tender, whimsical kiss often shared during cuddly, comforting moments with someone who makes you feel protected.
- What it means: A symbol of love and safety, often coming from someone who feels deeply cared for.
- These kisses are especially popular between daughters and fathers—Bob Carlisle even immortalized them in a heartfelt song.
Romantic Kisses
Single lip kiss Lean in as if for a standard kiss, but gently wrap your lips around just one of your partner's lips. Briefly sucking or even softly nibbling can make this moment extra sensual.
- What it means: A clear expression of romantic desire, often hinting at the potential for more intimate connection.
- This kiss can also smoothly transition into more passionate kissing by introducing gentle teasing or playful biting.
French kiss This intimate kiss involves both partners parting their lips, their tongues exploring, intertwining, and moving with passion. The French kiss earns its reputation as one of the most romantic gestures out there.
- What it means: Deep romantic—and often sexual—attraction, where the kisser craves emotional and physical closeness.
Angel kiss A gentle kiss placed on the eyelid, often shared between lovers. It's a rare and tender gesture, sometimes given when comforting a partner who's been crying.
- What it means: An expression of profound emotional intimacy and care, showing the depth of love and compassion between partners.
American kiss Think of that iconic photograph of an American soldier passionately kissing a woman in the street after returning from World War II—that’s the essence of an American kiss. It’s like a French kiss without the tongue, full of emotion and public flair.
- What it means: This kiss suggests strong romantic feelings, often paired with a love for dramatic, movie-worthy moments.
- Commonly exchanged in public settings, it’s especially popular after being apart from someone for a while.
Sexual Kisses
Earlobe kiss The earlobe is a sensitive area for many people. If someone is gently kissing or nibbling on yours, chances are they're either discovering your sensitivity—or revealing their own.
- What it means: It's usually a seductive move, signaling a desire to spark arousal or explore physical intimacy.
- This kiss might involve licking, sucking, or soft biting, depending on how bold things get.
Neck kiss While pop culture might link neck kisses to vampires, in real life they’re anything but scary. If someone is trailing kisses down your neck, their interest in you is heating up fast.
- What it means: A strong expression of passion and a desire for deeper physical connection.
- Often, this kiss follows lip-to-lip contact, slowly leading to more sensual exploration.
Spider-Man kiss Inspired by the legendary upside-down kiss between Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and Mary-Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) in 2002’s Spider-Man, this kiss flips things around—literally. It’s as theatrical as it is memorable.
- What it means: This kiss shows you're both imaginative, playful, and possibly major Spider-Man fans.
Bite kiss or hickey This type of kiss usually leaves behind a visible reminder—a bruise-like mark where lips met skin. Depending on your plans the next day, it might be awkward... but in the heat of the moment, that’s rarely a concern.
- What it means: A hickey is often seen as a badge of fiery passion—a bold memento of an unforgettable, intimate encounter. Learn how to give one.
Lizard kiss Picture a French kiss—but instead of locking lips, you and your partner stick out your tongues and wiggle them against each other. It sounds quirky, and it is—but it can be unexpectedly sensual too.
- What it means: This kiss shows you’re both playful, uninhibited, and confident enough to enjoy looking a little goofy together.
Ice kiss Pop an ice cube into your mouth and lean in for a French kiss. Pass the ice cube back and forth between your mouths until it melts completely. It’s a playful and chilly way to spice things up, especially in hot weather.
- What it means: This kiss signals a sense of adventure and a willingness to explore new and exciting sensations with your partner.
Benefits of Kissing
Emotional connection Kissing builds intimacy by creating a shared, vulnerable moment between you and your partner. The more you kiss, the deeper your emotional bond grows.
- It also fosters a sense of closeness—after all, swapping spit is as personal as it gets, biologically and emotionally.
Stimulation of feel-good hormones Locking lips with someone you care about sparks a flood of mood-boosting chemicals—oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine—that can leave you buzzing with joy and energy.
- While the rush fades eventually, regular kisses can lift your spirits and help keep your outlook bright and positive.
- That energy surge even nudges your metabolism, so kissing might slightly contribute to burning a few extra calories—not enough to skip the gym, though!
Immunity boost Sharing a kiss means swapping a bit of your bacterial ecosystem with your partner—which may sound a bit icky, but it’s actually a good thing. That exposure gives your immune system a workout and helps it grow stronger.
- Plus, those happy hormones released while kissing bring a little immune-boosting magic of their own.
Stress reduction Physical affection, including kissing, has a proven calming effect that eases tension and soothes the nervous system—regardless of whether it’s romantic or not.
- For instance, babies who are often kissed by their mothers tend to cry less and smile more.
- Feeling loved and physically cared for helps you stay grounded and more resilient when life gets tough.
- Reader Poll: Out of 431 Mytour readers, 70% said the most comforting stress relief from a partner is a warm hug or being held. [Take Poll]
Lower blood pressure Whether it’s the biochemical high of love or the emotional safety of physical closeness, frequent kissing has been linked to lower resting blood pressure.
- Because healthy blood pressure is key to a strong heart, that makes affectionate moments literally heartwarming—and heart-healthy.
Improved overall health The oxytocin your brain releases when kissing not only feels great—it also supports your overall well-being. The health benefits may be subtle, but over time, they add up.
- Even better, since oxytocin makes you feel connected and comforted, it encourages more affection—kicking off a cycle of health and happiness that benefits both partners.
Relationship satisfaction The couples who lock lips often are usually the ones who keep the spark alive the longest. Frequent kissing is a strong indicator of happiness and lasting satisfaction, no matter how many years you've been together.
- When couples stop kissing regularly, their bond can start to feel dull. A simple kiss might be all it takes to reignite the magic.
Brush your teeth and rinse out your mouth. While the occasional garlic breath might be inevitable, showing up with a clean mouth is a sign of basic respect—and romance. Think of it like tidying up your house before a guest arrives.
- Don't sweat the mood shift if you pause to freshen up. It sends the message that your partner is worth the extra effort.
Set the scene for romance. Spontaneous kisses are unforgettable, but sometimes a little mood-setting can nudge the moment into happening. Turn down the lights, spark a candle or two, and play something soft and slow in the background. Even if your kiss game is still a work in progress, the right vibe can do wonders.
- If you're out somewhere, keep an eye out for picture-perfect kissing spots—like a misty streetlamp or the quiet archway of an old building.
Stay mentally present in the moment. You can’t kiss with heart if your mind is somewhere else. Kissing is about being fully there, not planning tomorrow's to-do list. Try narrating the moment in your head if you need help focusing.
- It gets easier with time. If you're really into the person and the kiss, staying present won't feel like work at all.
- As Baller puts it, "Practice makes perfect. So you're gonna want to kiss a lot to get good at kissing, and you can."
Pay attention to how your partner responds. Great kissing isn’t about pre-set moves—it’s about syncing up with your partner. Match their rhythm, pace, and energy. Let the kiss evolve naturally.
- Baller explains, "You want to match your partner, so whatever [their] movements are, it's gonna be like the yin and yang... they fit together nicely like that."
- "That's the basic rule for kissing well," Baller adds. "Look at it like puzzle pieces... It fits nice. It feels good."
