How to Be Kissable: Expert-Backed Tips & Tricks

The most important part of preparing for a kiss is making sure your lips are soft and your breath is minty fresh. That’s why we’re providing the ultimate guide on how to be kissable, from prepping your lips to initiating the perfect kiss. We also spoke with makeup artists, a board-certified dermatologist, and dating experts for tips on maintaining good hygiene so you can be irresistible to your partner.

How to Keep Your Breath Fresh for Kissing

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to maintain good hygiene.
Use a tongue scraper and gargle with mouthwash to keep your breath fresh.
Exfoliate your lips and apply a hydrating lip balm to avoid dry or chapped lips.
Chew gum, pop a mint, or use breath spray to freshen up right before a kiss.

Section 1 of 3:

Maintaining Good Hygiene

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1
Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth daily is necessary to maintain good dental hygiene, which is especially important if you plan on kissing someone. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, once in the morning and once at night. Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the backs, sides, and gum lines.^{[1]
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- If you plan on kissing someone in the afternoon, brush your teeth after lunch.
- Use a whitening toothpaste if you want to brighten your teeth and enhance your smile.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Erica Coates is a professional makeup artist and the owner of Erica Nicole Beauty, with more than 14 years of experience.

Alicia D’Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty, and Pat McGrath Labs, as well as bridal companies.

Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology, located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota.

Laura Bilotta is a dating coach, matchmaker, and the Founder of Single in the City, a dating and relationship coaching service based in Toronto, with over 21 years of experience.

Michelle Jacoby is a matchmaker, dating coach, and the founder and CEO of DC Matchmaking, a privately owned, boutique matchmaking company, with over 12 years of experience.
2
Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes food particles and plaque between your teeth, preventing bad breath and tooth decay. While you should floss at least once daily, flossing both morning and night is ideal. Be sure to floss gently so you don’t cause your gums to bleed.^{[2]
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- If your gums do bleed excessively, consult a dentist. Bleeding gums could be a sign of gingivitis.
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Gargle with mouthwash. Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride, like Listerine or TheraBreath, for optimal dental hygiene. Flossing will dislodge the food, and mouthwash will remove the displaced particles. Gargle with the mouthwash of your choice for 30 to 60 seconds (following the directions on the product) and then spit it out. Don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes afterwards.^{[3]
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- You can also carry a travel-size mouthwash with you for a quick way to maintain fresh breath on the go.
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Use a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a plastic, silicone, or stainless steel tool that you rake over your tongue to remove tongue buildup and help your breath feel fresher.^{[4]
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Go to source} To use a tongue scraper, pull the scraper from the back of your tongue to the front, rinsing the scraper after each stroke. Repeat this movement 4 to 8 times, then clean the scraper after use.^{[5]
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- Scrape your tongue once a night after brushing your teeth.
- Many toothbrushes will also come with a tongue scraper on the back of the brush head.
5
Keep your breath fresh with mints, gum, or breath spray. You can carry mints, gum, breath spray, or mini mouthwash to avoid bad breath. These products are available at most supermarkets and drugstores. If you prefer natural alternatives, use a natural mouthwash or chew on fresh herbs, like parsley, mint, basil, tarragon, rosemary, and cardamom.^{[6]
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- Eating crunchy fruits and veggies, like apples, celery, broccoli, and carrots, can increase the flow of saliva and wash away odor-causing debris.
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Shower daily to stay fresh and clean. Being clean and smelling fresh is another important part of being kissable. Shower at least once a day, morning or night, depending on your preference. Shampoo and condition your hair 2 to 4 times a week, and wash your body with a fragrance-free body cleanser daily, focusing on your armpits, feet, groin, and the folds and pits of your body.
- Shower more than once a day if you’re especially sweaty or active.
- Look for a soap that contains natural ingredients if chemical fragrances irritate your skin.
- You don’t have to wash your hair every day if it’s not beneficial for your hair type, but make sure to wash the nape of your neck and the area behind your ears.
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Moisturize right after showering to hydrate your skin. According to board-certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD, “the best time to apply moisturizer is after showering or bathing.”^{[7]
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Mohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer on your face, gently patting your skin to help the product sink in. For your body, rub a fragrance-free body cream all over to keep your skin soft and supple.^{[8]
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- Some lotions may be too harsh for facial use, so it is usually better to use a moisturizer specifically made for the face.
- If you have dry skin, “moisturize with a cream-based moisturizer, something that comes in a jar rather than something that comes in a pump that has more water with it,” recommends Dr. Tareen.^{[9]
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Section 2 of 3:

Prepping Your Lips for a Kiss

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Exfoliate your lips to keep them soft. “Exfoliate at least once a week to get rid of dead skin on the lips and keep [them] smooth and soft,” says professional makeup artist Erica Coates.^{[10]
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Erica Coates
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview} You can apply a DIY lip scrub or a ready-made lip scrub on your lips, then massage the scrub in circular motions using your fingers for 30 seconds. Wipe off any excess scrub and immediately follow up with some petroleum jelly or coconut oil to restore moisture.
- Don’t continue to exfoliate if your lips begin to feel sore or bleed.
- To make a DIY lip scrub, mix equal parts of olive oil and white sugar in a bowl until it forms a paste. You can also combine one part honey and 2 parts sugar to make a honey lip scrub.
2
Carry a lip balm with you to prevent chapping. Lip balm seals cracks in your lips and locks in moisture. To treat chapped lips, apply a fragrance-free lip balm (or ointment) with ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, castor seed oil, and petrolatum. Reapply as needed throughout the day, especially after eating and drinking.^{[11]
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- If you’re going outside, apply a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips from the sun.
3
Apply a lip liner and matte lipstick for kiss-proof lips. To make your lipstick last longer, “line the entire lip with a lip liner first” or “use a lip stain under your lipstick in a color that’s in the same family as your lipstick,” advises makeup artist Alicia D’Angelo.^{[12]
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Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview} Line and fill your lips with a long-wear lip liner, then apply your lipstick and blot with a tissue to help set the color.
- According to D’Angelo, “the more moisturizing the lip, the less wear time.”^{[13]
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  Alicia D'Angelo
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview} So, stick with a long-lasting, matte lipstick that doesn’t transfer.
- “If you don’t like a matte formula, try putting on a little lip balm before your lipstick to help it feel more comfortable,” recommends D’Angelo.^{[14]
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  Alicia D'Angelo
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- You can go for a nude, rosy pink, or mauve lipstick, but avoid super dark colors—they are more likely to smudge and get all over your partner’s face.
Some believe that massaging your lips and the surrounding area can make them appear plumper.^{[15]
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Research source} Rub your fingertips over your lips in a circular motion for about 30 seconds to stimulate blood flow and give the illusion of a fuller pout. You can repeat this massage up to 3 times a day.
Your lips don’t contain oil glands, which means they tend to dry out and become chapped easily (unlike the rest of your skin).^{[16]
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Research source} Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, and avoid licking or picking at your lips.^{[17]
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Section 3 of 3:

Kissing Your Crush or Partner

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Make eye contact to let your partner know you’re interested. Making eye contact is a great way to express interest and attraction, without being too obvious. Just lean in close to your partner and look directly into their eyes.^{[18]
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- If you wear glasses, you might want to remove them when you make eye contact.
2
Let your eyes drift to your partner's lips. Once you’ve made eye contact, let your eyes wander to hint that you want a kiss. Look into your partner’s eyes, drift your gaze to their lips for a few seconds, and then return to making eye contact.
- If you want to be extra flirty, lick or bite your lips.
- Alternatively, rest your hand on your cheek, twirl your hair, or lightly touch your throat.
3
Smile at your partner to relax them and ease tension. The lead-up to a kiss can be quite nerve-racking, so flash a smile or giggle at the other person’s jokes to lighten the mood. It’s a great way to boost their confidence and signal that you’re on the same page as them.
- “Oftentimes, guys will grin at you or give a cheeky smile if they want to kiss you,” says dating coach Laura Bilotta.^{[19]
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4
Tell your partner you’re okay with being kissed. The simplest way to initiate a kiss is to let the other person know you’re up for it. You don’t have to demand a kiss, but simply let them know that it’s something you’re open to and would be happy to do.
- If you’re not sure if someone wants to kiss you, ask for permission. You could make a statement first, like “I’d really love a kiss” or “I’m very attracted to you,” says matchmaker and dating coach Michelle Jacoby.^{[20]
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  Michelle Jacoby
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Kiss Like a Pro with this Expert Series

Ready to take your kissing game to the next level? Become a skilled kisser with these expert articles.

1

How to Be Kissable: Expert-Backed Tips & Tricks

2

Use Your Hands During a Kiss

3

Give an Unforgettable Kiss

4

How to Give a Kiss that Tastes Like Candy

5

Deal With a Sloppy Kiss

6

What Does a Forehead Kiss Mean? 10+ Reasons Behind This Personal Peck

Expert Q&A

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Question

Should I kiss on the first date?

Maya Diamond, MA
Relationship Coach
Maya Diamond is a Dating and Relationship Coach in Berkeley, CA. She has 15 years of experience helping singles stuck in frustrating dating patterns find internal security, heal their past, and create healthy, loving, and lasting partnerships. She received her Master's in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2009.

Maya Diamond, MA

Relationship Coach

Expert Answer

If you want to kiss and your partner is into it, go for it! The only time this may be a bad idea is if you're on a first date with someone you've met online. But if you've met them before the first date or you know them well, there's nothing wrong with kissing on the first date.

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Tips

Go to the dentist for professional cleanings at least once a year (or more often if necessary) to maintain good dental hygiene.^{[21]
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Dress comfortably so you feel your most confident and appear more kissable.

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Consider shaving if you have facial hair. Facial hair can irritate your partner’s skin and make them uncomfortable.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you aren't sure when your first kiss is going to come but you think it might be soon, carry mints around with you. If you feel the vibes are right, pop a mint in a few minutes ahead of time.
If you know the other person is a little shy, try kissing them in the dark, such as in a movie theatre or concert hall. This way, they won't feel self-conscious.
Never lick your lips before going in for a kiss. It might make your lips feel better, but your mouth will just feel mushy to the person you're kissing.

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Warnings

Consult your doctor if you have severe bad breath that is not helped by brushing, flossing, and mints. It could be a sign of a health condition, such as dry mouth, acid reflux, or even certain cancers.^{[22]
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Avoid all tobacco products. Along with being bad for your overall health, products like smoking and chewing tobacco will yellow your teeth and cause bad breath.^{[23]
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Know your limits before you begin kissing, and don’t be afraid to tell your partner to stop if you start feeling uncomfortable. You could say, “no,” “stop,” “I’m not interested in that right now,” or “let’s slow things down.”

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