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Eating out, cunnilingus, clit-licking: whatever you prefer to call it, oral sex on a vulva can be the perfect path to your partner’s big O. In fact, oral sex is widely known as the most reliable way to make a person with a vulva orgasm. A 2017 study published in the journal Sex and Marital Therapy found that only 18% of vulva-owners can orgasm from penetration alone. The rest require clitoral stimulation in order to climax, and oral sex puts the clitoris front and center. Plus, a 2019 study found that couples who give and receive oral sex maintain happier, more sexually active relationships long-term.

The issue? So many people don’t know what the heck they are doing down there. If you’re still doing the alphabet with your tongue and calling it a day, then it’s time to brush upon your oral sex skills.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to improve your oral sex technique, and communicating with your partner can make a big difference. From incorporating toys, to trying different positions, to using your tongue in unique ways, we have all the expert-approved information you need to up your game. These are the best oral sex tips for the next time you're going down on your partner.

Make sure your partner is comfortable.

While oral sex is pleasurable for lots of people, not everyone with a vulva wants a partner’s face between their legs. They might not like the sensation of oral sex, or the idea of receiving oral sex might make them anxious. So many cultural messages tell vulva owners that their genitals are “dirty” and that their vulvas have to look a certain way, and those messages can get in your partner’s head.

“Some people are self-conscious about the smell, taste, and appearance of their vulva, and some people are uncomfortable with all the attention being on them,” explains sex educator Erica Smith.

If your partner says oral sex is off the table, then it’s off the table. There are plenty of other ways you can enjoy each other’s bodies. If, however, your partner wants to try receiving oral sex but they’re nervous about having you get up close and personal with their genitals, offer some encouraging words. “Be vocal about appreciation for your partner's body—including their taste,” Smith says.

Get your partner aroused.

Instead of diving head-first into someone’s vulva like an Olympic swimmer, opt for a seductive warm up. Start with neck kisses. Then move down to their belly, inner thighs, and all around the vulva. Run your tongue around their nipples. If your partner is on the kinkier side, try some dirty talk, spanking, or role play—whatever gets them in the mood.

The anticipation can really help bring you both into your bodies and feel grounded in this experience you’re sharing together. No matter how casual your cunnilingus encounter may be, the sex you’re having together deserves reverence and respect.

Get in position.

There are lots of sex positions for giving and receiving oral sex, but some are better than others. “Have the receiver lie back on a bed or couch and scoot to the edge a bit—then the giver can be on their knees on the floor,” Smith suggests. Putting a pillow or a rolled up yoga mat under your knees might make this position a little more comfortable. You also throw your partner’s legs over your shoulders for easier access to their clitoris. Some vulva-owners prefer to stand up and lean against a wall while their partner kneels in front of them. And, of course, there’s “queening,” or face-sitting.

“It can also be comfortable and really enjoyable for the receiver to sit on the face of the giver—especially if they can lean forward to support themself with the headboard,” Smith says. This is a great position for the giver, too, since you get to lie back and enjoy your partner’s pleasure with minimal neck-strain.

No matter what position you choose, make sure it’s something you can sustain for a long period of time—a shoulder cramp could bring your cunnilingus to a screeching halt.

Cover more surface area at first.

Don’t go straight for the clit! Instead, opt for widespread, gentle pressure at first. Kenneth Play, an internationally-recognized sexpert, suggests using “the flat of your tongue first, and move your head instead of your tongue. This creates a larger surface space, which feels better initially to most people.”

Know where you’re going.

Before you start lapping at your partner’s clitoris like it’s a Tootsie Pop, make sure you’re on the right spot.

“The clitoris is actually a much larger structure than what we can find on the outside,” Smith says. The majority of the clitoris is underneath the skin. It’s shaped like a wishbone, and its “legs” run along the sides of the vulva. You might notice that your partner’s vulva swells during sex—that’s because the clitoris is full of erectile tissue that swells in response to arousal.

Most of the time, when we’re talking about “finding the clitoris,” we’re actually referring to the clitoral glans, a tiny, sensitive nub at the top of the vulva where the inner labia meet. If you can’t find your partner’s glans with your eyes, you might be able to find it with your tongue. If you’re still feeling lost, ask your partner to guide you.

Stay enthusiastic.

Our culture bombards us with toxic messages that vaginas are inherently smelly and gross. Sorry to purveyors of douching products with ridiculous scent names, but this just isn’t true—and it's time for you and your partner(s) to leave those falsehoods behind.

Nothing makes great oral sex quite as amazing as enthusiasm. This means letting your partner know you're so happy to be there—that you are freakin’ jazzed to be in the company of their amazing vulva. Be vocal. Tell them how amazing they smell, look, and taste. Vulva owners need to be able to relax into an orgasm, and a compliment goes a long way when it comes to helping a vulva owner feel safe and comfortable with oral sex.

Keep it light to start.

Lighter is better when you start giving oral. This area is sensitive—the clitoris has around 8,000 nerve endings!—so you don’t want to go too hard. You can even start off with indirect stimulation and lick around the clitoris in circles. Clitorises and vulvas usually require different degrees of firmness when it comes to touching and licking, so pay attention to your partner’s verbal and physical cues.

“Go in too hard and fast, and you may feel her flinch or yelp, so go easy! When you start lighter, you can build up the pressure as her arousal builds, but if in doubt, always go lighter first,” says Lucy Rowett, a certified sex coach and clinical sexologist.

Use the tip of your tongue.

If your partner likes more targeted, pinpointed pleasure, Play suggests using the tip of the tongue in your oral game. “The tip of the tongue can apply more targeted pressure and movement, especially once a vulva-owner gets more aroused,” he says. “Remember to pay attention to the tactile sensations of your tongue to make sure you’re actually licking the clit and not just all over the place. This is a more common problem than you’d realize.”

Use the flat part of your tongue, too.

Some clitoris owners prefer a more generalized sensation, and some like a bit of pinpointed and generalized stimulation. Vulva owners are definitely creatures of infinite possibilities for pleasure.

Play mentioned using the flat part of your tongue as a warm-up tactic, but for some, it’s the main attraction! Using the top of your tongue, lick up and down, in circles, and side to side. Keep your tongue relaxed as you explore.

And don’t be afraid to use your tongue for more than just the clitoris.

The labia, vaginal opening, and entire vulva area is bursting with sensation. Get curious. Your tongue can go anywhere from your partner's mons pubis to their inner thighs to inside their vagina. Remember to remind your partner how delighted you are to have been invited to this glorious feast.

Stay down there as long as it takes.

One of the main things that stops vulva-owners from having orgasms during oral sex is the fear that they’re “taking too long” or being “selfish.” This means they’re going to need a lot of encouragement from you.

“Let [them] know that you'll be there for as long as it takes, that this is just about [their] pleasure, and there is no pressure to come,” Rowett says.

Ask your partner what they want.

Showing interest in what brings your partner pleasure is a huge turn-on. Every person's body is different, and people enjoy being stimulated in a variety of ways. Ask your partner what they want you to do to them. If they’re not sure, try touching them in different ways and encourage them to tell you what feels good.

It definitely makes for some sparkling dirty talk. The thing is, you’re not a mind-reader. Ask and then do exactly what they say. Following instructions shows you’re actively listening. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some examples of how to solicit oral sex feedback:

♥ "Do you want me to go harder or softer?”

♥ “Do you like when I do X with my tongue?”

♥ “Would it be OK to put my fingers inside you?”

♥ “Do you want me to keep going?”

Use your fingers.

While you lick your partner’s clitoris, use the palm of your hand to provide pressure on the rest of the vulva (this stimulates the full body of the clitoris) or gently press just above their pubic mound to give them a littleG-spot pressure from outside of the body.

If your partner enjoys vaginal stimulation, penetrate their vagina with one or two fingers. Your partner might enjoy thrusting, a “come hither” motion, or consistent pressure against the front of their vaginal wall. You can insert a finger in the backdoor, too—that is, if your partner’s game. Just make to use lube for any internal anal play.

Throw in some toys.

Mouths and fingers are amazing, but they don’t need to be the only tools in your kit. Incorporating vibrators and other sex toys can up the ante on the whole experience. Try running your tongue around the clitoris while you insert a dildo or G-spot vibrator into your partner’s vagina. You can also have your partner wear a butt plug for some added backdoor stimulation. If they’re not into anal penetration but they’re open to other types of booty play, use a vibrator to stimulate the anal opening and perineum while you use your tongue on the clitoris.

If you’ve never used a vibrator on your partner before, ask them to show you how they like to use it first.

Try sucking to finish.

Have you heard of the Womanizer or Satisfyer? These clitoral suction toys use a combination of suction and air to circle the clitoris and simulate oral sex. They are wildly popular—which is why it might be a good idea to mimic the sensation with your own mouth. And if you want to bring in a sucking sex toy while you use your hands or tongue for a little penetration, go for it!

Keep in mind that sucking to finish isn't a surefire way to make your partner cum. In fact, there is nary a sex technique that works for every single person. Some people love having their clitoris sucked, some are meh about it, and some don't like it at all. Pay attention to what your partner likes and doesn't like, and if you’re not sure, ask them. Oral sex—and all sex—is very much a "choose your own adventure" kind of a thing.

Pay attention to your partner’s body language.

If your partner is pushing their vulva into your face and moaning, you can be pretty sure what you’re doing is working. If they’re pulling away or if they’re silent, try something else. And once again, if you’re not sure if your technique is what your partner’s body needs—ask questions.

“Hopefully, [your partner] will respond by moaning, giving enthusiastic feedback, etc.—but some people are shy and feel shame about making noises,” Smith says. “If you're in doubt, ask!”

Enjoy yourself!

Cunnilingus is about your partner’s pleasure first, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. And if your partner can tell you’re into it, that might make the experience even hotter for them!

“In the same way that it's so much hotter when you can tell that your partner actually enjoys giving a blowjob,” Rowett points out, “when you show that you enjoy it and it is genuine, the technique doesn't matter as much.”

We asked real people for tips on oral sex.

To give you even more tips, here are a few juicy morsels of advice on grade-A cunnilingus from people who love to receive oral sex:

♥ “Do what I call The Zipper technique: Lick from the slit of the vaginal opening up to the clit and then all the way back down. Like you’re zipping up a zipper.” —Jane, 30

♥ “I was once with a guy who, no joke, gnawed on my clit. Like as if he were a human-cheese grater. Never ever do this!” —Gabby, 31

♥ “Don’t forget the vagina! While doing circles on my clit, I love inserting a G-spot wand, too. Then tilt it up to hit the G-spot.” —Shae, 30

♥ “While using a vibrator on the clit, put your forefinger into my anus and the thumb into the vagina. If anal penetration is not your thing, you can just rub around it. It feels f*cking incredible.” —Grace, 26

♥ “When someone is licking my clit the way I like, I usually grab their head and grind my hips into their face for even more pressure. I guess that’s not a tip so much as a sign that I’m really liking what you’re doing down there.” —Brit, 27

♥ “I’ve never liked warming lubes, but popping an ice cube into the vagina before licking the clit is BONKERS.” —Nicki, 37

♥ “Pop a butt plug into her ass before you go down on her. Game-changer.” —Lucy, 29

♥ “Stay consistent. I always have people licking my clit, or labia or whatever and they keep moving around. This doesn’t give me enough time to enjoy anything. If something is working, keep doing it.” —Rosie, 23