If you love to kiss, but haven't been getting enough lip action lately, you may be looking to improve your smooching game. Pucker up for some valuable tips on how you can go from being a so-so lip locker to a great kisser with perfect kissing technique.

There is no such thing as "the perfect kiss." Each kiss can be perfect in its own rite and in that moment, and every kiss shared between a couple is special.

That being said, if you and your partner haven't been sharing those perfect kisses as often as you'd like, there may be a few reasons for those lackluster lip-locks.

Great Kissing Basics

Kissing is subjective. What works for one person may serve as a complete turn-off for another. Here are some basic kissing tips to consider:

• Pucker up for smooth lips - Exfoliate your lips with a damp toothbrush. Use chapstick or lip balm regularly to prevent chapped lips.
  
• Mind your breath - Don't eat onion or garlic if you want to smooch any time soon. We're not just talking during the dinner date, but the night before. Because onion and garlic odors originate from the lungs (not the mouth) and can last for 24 to 48 hours, simple brushing or breath mints won't completely erase the smell.
• Freshen up - That being said, it never hurts to clean out your mouth after consuming tricky foods, so try eating a lemon or a sprig of fresh mint or parsley to cope with the odor.
• Visit your dentist regularly - If you have lingering bad breath and you can't trace it to a specific food, get to the dentist promptly to see if you have a dental health condition (cavities, tarter, gum disease) that might be causing your bad breath.

And just as you want your mouth to smell kissable, your body should also be inviting. Don't douse yourself with strong perfume or cologne, as this may actually repel your partner, instead of encouraging them to snuggle-up.

How to Kiss With Purpose

You may know the techniques of how to kiss well, but to get the greatest impact; you should understand how to kiss with purpose. Tailor your kisses to the situation in which they occur. Kissing as part of foreplay should generate heat and a goodnight kiss can be more tender and gentle.

Your partner wants to experience what it's like to have close, physical contact with you. Never kiss with a cold mouth. Set the ice cream aside and let your mouth reach body temperature again before going in for a smooch. Don't kiss right after brushing your teeth. Your partner wants to taste you, not your toothpaste or food.

Knowing how to kiss with purpose includes knowing the types of kisses; the affectionate kiss, the passionate kiss and tongue kissing. No matter what type of kiss you're interested in sharing with your partner, having kissable lips will only improve the experience for both of you.

An affectionate kiss is a short, closed-mouth kiss and can be done in public. Its purpose is to help reinforce a couple's bond. Soft lips with a natural shade, or a smudge-proof lip color, practically beg for affectionate kisses. While you don't mind staking your claim, you don't have to leave lipstick stains all over your partner to mark your territory. Let your perfect kiss be the signature.

Kissable Lips for a Passionate Kiss

The passionate kiss is performed with a partly-opened mouth, overlapping another, and usually lasts longer than a minute. It can be the passionate kiss that occurs after a great first date. You know; that "good night kiss" that makes your knees wobbly and awaken the butterflies in your stomach.

Prepare for sparks to fly by wearing a good kissable lipstick. A kissable lipstick that has little emollient, like a lip stain, works best for kissable lips. A few brands to try include Revlon's Colorstay or L'Oreal Endless Lipcolour. The key to a good kissable lipstick is finding one that doesn't come off your lips onto his face.

Tongue Kissing & Kissable Lips

Playful tongue kissing that mimics sex can act as foreplay. For maximum pleasure for both you and your partner, aim for smooth, bare, kissable lips on a warm and odor-free mouth. This should make tongue kissing a frenzied affair for both.

It's not unusual for tongue kissing "make out sessions" to wane as couples progress in their relationship, or lose focus on the importance that kissing can play in maintaining a couple's bond. If your partner has stopped or decreased tongue kissing as foreplay, it may be because he feels he has moved on to bigger and better things. Don't be afraid to reignite that flame by initiating contact, or simply saying; "Let's kiss."

Passionate kisses are those made with the purpose of making or cementing a deep connection. A passionate kiss can tell your partner, "I want more of you," or "I'm willing to trust you."

Passionate kisses can incorporate the tongue, although this is not necessary to make a connection. If you want to make your message clear through passionate kisses, there are some kiss tips you can follow.

Tips for Being a Great Kisser

Kissing is about more than just the lips (and tongue). Think about what you're doing with your body while engaging in a kiss. Put your hand on his jaw and neck while kissing. Run a hand through your partner's hair or put your hands on the small of his back. Keep your head vertical and use less head tilt to deliver your passionate kisses.

If you want your kissing to signal to your partner that you'd like to take it to the next level, try these tips for being a great kisser:

• Start off with a tender, lip-centric "I trust you" kiss. Then, add a little tongue toward the end.
• Tilt your head to the side as you slip your partner the tongue.
• Be wary of going overboard with your tongue. You're not trying to play tonsil hockey! Gently explore your partner's mouth with the tip of your tongue until you get into a rhythm with one another.
• Don't be afraid to give a soft nibble when kissing passionately. Use your lips to pull your partner's bottom lip into your mouth and very gently bite the lip. Don't draw blood! The only mark you should leave will be in his or her mind.

While these kissing tips are mostly for new couples who are still in the beginning stages of establishing a physical relationship, it never hurts to revamp an existing relationship with some great kissing techniques.

Part of being a great kisser is being open with your partner about what is and is not working for you. If you've been avoiding passionate kissing with your partner, tell them what types of kisses you prefer. Or better yet, show them with your own lip-locking skills.

Kissing is a two-way street, and it's important to communicate-either verbally or physically-with your partner about what kissing techniques work best for the two of you. The best way to be a great kisser is to devote yourself entirely to the moment, both physically and mentally. Loosen-up, relax and get lost in the experience.

Of course, you'll always want to pay close attention to things like breath (avoid garlic and overly strong mints) and tongue placement (don't shove it in his mouth, or be too timid about using it), but don't get so hung up on the rules that you forget to have fun.

To be a great kisser, you have to have passion about what you are doing. So, pucker up, and enjoy the ride. In no time, you'll be a master lip-locker.