If you’re looking for a deeply intimate position that can bring you and your partner closer than ever, the face-off sex position might just be your new favorite thing. “If you thought missionary was intimate, the face-off brings it to a whole new level,” says sexpert Laura Rose Halliday, founder of School of Squirt.
Despite its, err, ~confrontational~ name, the face-off is all about slow, grinding strokes, long sexy kisses and lots of eye contact. This is not only all kinds of fun, but it also activates biological love chemicals in your brain. “Face-to-face sex is a great way to build emotional intimacy and feelings of closeness,” says Jodie Milton, women’s relationship and sex coach at Practical Intimacy. “The increased eye contact that comes from having sex face-to-face boosts your oxytocin levels, the ‘love’ chemical associated with bonding, trust, and relationship-building.”
Related Story
Want to make the experience an even deeper one? Use your words and get dirty talking. “Leave the typical porn speak at the door and concentrate on describing to your partner how they feel to you, like, ‘You feel so wet and open,’ or, ‘I can feel your cock flexing inside me,’” says Court Vox, a sex and intimacy consultant. “Stay rooted in what’s real for you in the moment.”
And if all that eye-gazing and and present-ness is a bit too much, that’s okay too—it’s not for everyone! Just make sure to communicate that as best as you can and check in with your partner to make sure they’re comfortable too. “As a person with ADHD, I enjoy eye contact in that it makes me feel closer and more intimate with my partner, but intense and sustained eye contact is pretty stressful,” says ADHD and sex educator Catie Osborn, cohost of the Infinite Quest podcast. “It’s important to be aware of your partner’s preference: eye contact, no eye contact, or a bit of eye contact.” If it ever feels too overwhelming, feel free to take a break or just stop at any time.
If you’re ready for to try the face-off (which is not the classic Nic Cage/John Travolta movie Face/Off where they actually trade faces, which is good, because weird) here are three positions to get you started.
Related Story
1.The Basic Face-Off
@LUCYMACARONI
One partner sits at the edge of a bed, sofa, or chair with their legs spread slightly and their feet on the ground. The other climbs onto that partner’s lap, facing them. They can either be on their knees to straddle the other or sit on them with their legs wrapped around their partner’s hips.
To get some friction happening, grind against each other and/or use your hands to stroke each other. The penetrating partner can thrust up or the receiving partner can roll their hips up, down, and around their partner’s penis or strap-on. Make out, press against them, stroke their face and chest, or wrap your arms around them and pull them close. Add a penis ring for rumbly intensity.
SHOP NOW Nos Vibrating Cock Ring, $99, Fun Factory
2. The Non-Penetrative Face-Off
@LUCYMACARONI
Don’t discount external stimulation! “Mutual masturbation face-to-face can be intimate, pleasurable, and super hot,” says Milton. It can also be a super-sexy educational opportunity for you to show your partner exactly how to please you step by step. Lean back a little for better access (and views.) Get your clit the love it needs, whether that’s by grinding, using your hand, or bringing in a sex toy, says Milton.
SHOP NOW Vibe, $49, Maude
Related Story
3. The Leaning Face-Off
@LUCYMACARONI
Have a partner with a XL penis or just prefer shallower penetration? Try having the penetrating partner lean back while the receiver leans forward to directly align the clitoris with their partner’s pubic mound. “This angle will not only stimulate the clitoris externally but also internally with shallow penetration,” says Halliday. Amp up the pleasure with a dab of arousal gel.
SHOP NOW Arousal Serum, $30, Dame
Related Story
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLvSpqapp5yewaK6jZympmejmsVuuM6vnGion6i2tbXOp6pomWNsf3N9knFwaJ6RmLJuu8WfZKydqGK9sL%2FIraCopl8%3D