1. The first time with your partner is never the best time. You've never seen each other naked. You have no idea how he is in bed. Is he going to be good? Is he going to think you're good? Relax! He's giddy as soon as you take your top off.
2. Foreplay is important. And don't let anyone ever convince you of otherwise. Sometimes you have to walk before you can sprint, as they say. It's more fun to slow things down and get into it before really getting into it.
3. If he ever (I mean, EVER) even begins to make a disparaging comment about your body, he's garbage. Kick him out immediately and don't look back.
4. NO baby talk allowed. Why would a grown man talk to you (a grown woman) like you're a baby? Try leading by example with more age-appropriate dirty talk and see if he catches on.
5. Sex is inevitably funny. Weird noises, hilarious faces, and compromising positions are a-plenty. Acknowledge when something is funny and it will never be awkward.
6. If the rest of your clothes are off, take your socks off too. Socks during sex are strangely off-putting. Don't question it, just throw them off the bed and find them in the morning.
7. If you don't ask for what you want, you may not get it. Don't complain that the person you're sleeping with won't do "that special thing you love" if you haven't told him that you dig it. Communication is absolutely important when it comes to enjoying yourself during sex. Unless your dude is a mind reader, and in that case, he's special and don't ever let him go.
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8. Cuddling is good, but falling asleep on the other side of the bed because it's too hot… is also good. Don't feel bad if you wake up and realize the night wasn't filled with sexy spooning.
9. Don't sneak out. Especially if you're looking for an invitation back. It's rude and sleeping in is more fun anyway.
10. No matter how cozy you are, or how cute he looks — get up and pee. You'll regret it later if you don't, as it helps prevent UTIs. There is nothing worse than dealing with a UTI.
11. Morning sex is the best hangover cure. Followed by coffee and a breakfast sandwich, naturally.
12. Ignore all the rules. Do your thang!
Related:
20 Guys Every Woman Meets At Parties
9 Real Reasons Why You're Not Having Sex Tonight
6 Ways To Be The Best Sex He's Ever Had
Hallie has worked in beauty editorial for ten years and has been editorial director at Byrdie since 2021. Previously, she was a senior editor at Byrdie since 2016. During her time at Byrdie, she's written hundreds of high-performing stories on skincare, wellness (including fitness, diet, mental health, body image, et al) makeup, and hair. She's a regular on set, helping to source inspiration for makeup and hair looks, as well as interviewing celebrities, models, and other notable women and men in the beauty space.
Before that, Hallie ran Marie Claire's social media and wrote beauty and culture stories for the site, and helped launch Time Inc.'s digital-only beauty brand, MIMI. After college, she contributed to Time Out New York’s Shopping & Style section before landing her first beauty editor gig at Hearst's Real Beauty. Hallie's writing has also appeared in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle. Hallie graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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