Kissing can be exciting, nerve-wracking, comforting, and every now and then, completely awkward.

It’s all about trial and error.

In some cultures, asingle air kiss is appropriate, while others go for two or three.

Abby Moore

Peck

The peck is a simple, light touch of the lips.

The lips might be closed and slightly puckered or pursed, or they might be looser.

This is generally what people aim for with their first kiss because it’s intimate without being overly sensual.

Kristie Overstreet, Ph.D., LPCC, LMHC, CST

Plus, it’s pretty hard to mess up.

Forehead kiss

Forehead kisses are literally that: a kiss placed on someone’s forehead.

Going in for a few neck kisses in the middle of a makeout session can be super erotic.

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Brown-James recommends kissing the nape of the neck as well as the sides of the neck.

Just try not to break skin, unless they’re into that.

Lizard kiss

A lizard kiss is when partners kiss by touching tongues only, sans lips.

The lizard kiss is certainly unique, and it’s definitely not for everyone.

Earlobe kiss

The earlobe kiss, like the neck kiss, can be extremely vulnerable and erotic.

That’s because this key in of touch activates the same nerve cortex as the clitoris.

Along with massaging, tracing, and pinching the breasts, kissing the nipples can bring pleasure for some.

Kissing your partner through their underwear or directly on the skin of their genitals can leave them wanting more.

This can be done with one person lying down, and the other person standing above them.

When you kiss, your chins will be touching each other’s noses.

Top of the head kiss

A top-of-the-head kiss usually comes from a parent or grandparent.

These can provide a sense of safety, comfort, and familiarity for people.

It can be especially sweet to kiss someone’s eyelids when they’ve been crying.

Nose kiss

A nose kiss can be lip-to-nose or nose-to-nose.

The lips are one of the thinnest layers of skin on the human body, Fisher explained.

That sensitivity is also whythe lips are considered an erogenous zone2.

The benefits of kissing

Studies have shown thatkissing has its benefits.

It increases feelings of closeness and improves sexual wellness, no matter the key in of kiss.

And clearly, there are a lot of them.