Knowing how to kiss is more than just a short-cut to home base – it’s also a determining factor in finding (and keeping) a partner.

A study by Oxford University has revealed more about the role kissing plays in our relationships. Not only do we use it as a way to size up potential partners, but knowing how to kiss is a determining factor in the quality of our relationship – especially for established couples.

In the short-term, kissing helps us gauge whether or not to take the relationship further. As we continue to climb the courtship ladder and the relationship becomes more intimate, kissing maintains our intimacy level and attachment to the other person. Interestingly, the study also revealed knowing how to kiss often determines the quality of a relationship–even more than having sex.

Since locking lips is important in every stage of the game, here are a few tips that will show your partner you really know how to kiss.

1. Keep your breath in check
Confession: I once broke up with a guy because of his breath. He was a smoker, and even though he was usually careful, the one time he forgot it was like eating an ashtray. I was so horrified I actually became scared to kiss him again, for fear that “Psycho Strings” would start playing in the background. What a buzzkill. Always make sure your breath smells fresh, and always carry back-up in your purse or pocket just to be sure.

2. Nix the chapped lips
Always keep your lips moist and soft – no lip crusties! The only time chapped lips are allowed is after the make-out sesh (hint, hint). Keep lip balm on hand so your lips are always protected. It’s not just the elements that are causing your lips to chap either: chapped lips can be a sign of dehydration, so make sure to drink plenty of H20. Also eat healthy and take your vitamins – vitamins B, C, and E in particular will help nurture your lips.

3. Choose simple lip colors
It’s very easy to end up in a trance at the makeup counter and go home with 243 different shades of lipstick. While guys like how we look with lipstick, they might not necessarily want to come in contact with it – especially if it’s super dark, shiny, or sparkly. (I can’t say I blame them – making out with a guy during my high school glitter phase turned his face into a disco ball.) Keep it simple with tinted lip balm or go au naturel.

4. Be present
When you’re making out, try really, really hard not to make shopping lists in your head or plan your BFF’s bachelorette party. As much as we don’t think our partner will catch on, they can sense when we’re not fully in the moment. Once in a while is okay – hey, it happens! – but if you’re a chronic stress ball who’s distracted all the time, he’ll start to take it personally. Leave your mental baggage at the door – you can always deal with it later.

Do you know how to kiss? How important is kissing in your relationship?

Related on EcoSalon:

5 Steps to a Naturally Sexy Pout

Fight the Chap: 5 Best Ways to Sooth Our Winter Lips

Smooch! The Health Benefits of Kissing

Image: you me

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An exclusive EcoSalon playlist to make sure you take home the croquet trophy.

How bad do you want to win? Heavy Metal Croquet is your only option… NO MERCY!

DO U PLAY? by BehindTheWalk-In

Download the entire playlist for free here.

Tracklist:

1. Hells Bells – AC/DC
2. Rock of Ages – Def Leppard
3. Knock ‘Em Dead, Kid – Mötley Crüe
4. Round And Round – Ratt
5. Killer – Kiss
6. Sun And Steel – Iron Maiden
7. Hammer – Motorhead
8. Electric Eye – Judas Priest
9. For Whom the Bell Tolls – Metallica
10. Dee – Ozzy Osbourne

The post 10 Songs to Ensure You Win the Community Croquet Tournament appeared first on EcoSalon.

Remember those hours-long couch make-out sessions when you were a teenager? They were good for you (if not so great for poor Mom and Dad).

Here I’ve been promoting having plenty of healthy sex and forgetting about what comes first. Great sex starts with great kissing. Although my husband and I have grown from hot ‘n heavy brand new lovers to a much deeper relationship, we still enjoy lots of intense, intimate kisses – the ones where our lips taste irresistibly good to each other and we need to taste a little more. You all know what I’m talkin’ about.

Just like laughter, kissing is a fantastic medicine. When done right with someone you care about, kissing creates a rush of well-being, closeness and just warms your heart. That sensual feeling has the power to melt away the tensions of the day and put you deliciously into the present moment. And in the subtle world of Tantra, kissing connects the energetic circuits between the partners and is essential to creating energetic union.

You’ll be interested to know that kissing releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and dopamine, which brings about feelings of happiness and euphoria. And if you really want a practical angle on it, swapping saliva and sharing germs can help boost your immune system – but make sure you know who you’re kissing!

So don’t skimp on the kissing in a mad rush to get on with the rest of it – you might be missing out on what makes it all so good to begin with.

(Learn more about healthy, fulfilling, earth-friendly, body-friendly sex.)

Image: Daniel & Carla

The post Smooch! The Health Benefits of Kissing appeared first on EcoSalon.