In the next 30 seconds, you're about to be kissed. Do you know what to do?

It's the moment you've been dreaming about ... and dreading. A guy is about to kiss you. Yay, he's giving you that vibe! And ... oh, crap, he's giving you that vibe! So now what? Lean in? Close your eyes? Flip your hair, then wink at him like the Doritos girl?

Wouldn't it be swell if someone would give you the lowdown on how to handle your first (and second and third) smooch? No sweat--GL is here to help you through this. There are probably things you already know (a French kiss means tongues are touching.). But we also have lots of answers to smooch stuff you're unsure about (it's not weird to keep your eyes open during a kiss). Read on for everything you ever wanted to know about kissing--lips, breath, hands, tongues, teeth and even (ew!) saliva. It's lip service about lip service. Mwah!

How to Kiss

Before the kiss, and immediately after the kiss, is just as much a part of the kiss as your guy's lips.

Here are the basis for a mellow, yummy kiss.

Before the Kiss

LOOK AT HIM. Eye contact isn't always easy. You're nervous, you like him, maybe you're even a little self-conscious about your lip gloss or your breath. Please, stop thinking for a few long seconds and just look at him, this adorable boy, right in front of you. When you look into a guy's eyes, you're giving him the green light that you are into it.

TURN TOWARD HIM. Whether standing or sitting, you want to angle yourself so that your body is toward him, not just your face. Keep your hands out of your pockets and arms unfolded. Avoid fidgety behavior, like twirling a strand of hair or, way worse, biting your nails. Relaxed, open body language can be a very effective non-verbal invitation for him to lean in and smooch.

LEAN IN TO HIM. Even if it's super subtle, try to lean in a little and get as close to him as possible. When kissing you is on a guy's mind, he'll appreciate the friendly geographical adjustment.

The Kiss

KISS HIM BACK. A kiss shouldn't start with an instant open mouth. First contact is simply touching mouths, then responding slightly. Think of it as a peck, but in super-slow motion.

CHART OUT THE NEW TERRITORY. Kiss the top of his top lip, the edge of his bottom lip, lightly, softly you're in no rush.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR TONGUE. OK, here's the part where less is more. He might jab his tongue into your mouth; he might keep it in his. Whatever he does, you can follow his lead (if you want to), but never, ever stick your tongue deeply into his mouth (refer to "Yucky Kisses," next page). P.S.--Breathe! Through your nose or mouth. Both work.

TOUCH HIM WITH YOUR HANDS. A girl can't go wrong by placing one hand gently on the back of his neck, the other band softly on the side of his face. Sure, there's a lot to think about, but you can move your hands, too. Touch his hair, his ear, his shoulder ... gently. If you're really comfy with him, you can wrap your arms around his neck and pull yourself closer. Nice.

After the Kiss

THE BREAKAWAY. If the guy has his tongue in your mouth (and you're OK with that), you don't want to just yank away from him. So keep meeting his lips with your lips, then pull away ever so slightly--enough to get his tongue back in its cage--and repeat the gentle kiss of just your lips touching, the slo-mo peck.

LOOK AT HIM. The post-kiss gaze--sounds cheesy, but that's what it is--is an affirmation that you did or didn't like it. However silly it sounds, you can tell him with your eyes how you felt about the kiss ... which could get you another one, if you're into it!

KEEP YOUR HANDS ON HIM. You've just bonded with him, so it's perfectly lovely for you to keep your hand on his shoulder or softly touching his neck. Again, this could get him to lean in for round two.

Types of Kisses

Yummy Kisses!

Want to know what kinds of kisses rule? Kissing class is now in session....

THE BIG LITTLE The value of a quick peck should never be underestimated. Whether on his lips or his cheek, a Big Little is a great way to show affection and tell a guy you're interested!

THE BUTTERFLY KISS Want to send the ultimate "kiss me!" signal? Lean in and ever-so-slightly touch his cheek with your cheek. Then see if you can graze his cheek with your eyelashes. Don't be too obvious--it's just like you're brushing up against him. Nice to do on the dance floor.

THE SOFT SERVE A soft, slo-mo peck is about as delicious as kisses come. A kiss doesn't need to be two people playing tongue hockey for it to be wonderful.

THE TRIPLE CROWN This is a succession of Soft Serves. Instead of planting just one slo-mo peck on him, hit him with three in a row. What you're doing is building steam ... until you get to the Full Symphony (see below).

THE FULL SYMPHONY French kissing, when done right, is like an epic dance move. This is, as you've surely already gathered, where your tongues get involved. But only if you're ready!

Yucky Kisses!

Here are the worst of me worst--and what to do if you get a kisser who fails into one of these categories.

THE DENTAL EXAM (a.k.a. The Oral-All-Over)

The Kiss: He's exploring your gums, teeth and entire mouth like his tongue has a dental camera on the tip of it. Yuck!

The Diss: Slow Captain Periodontics down by kissing his upper lip, then moving to his lower. You want to show your hottie that kissing you is about tenderness, not toothiness.

THE GRAND CANYON (a.k.a. The DNA Sampler)

The Kiss: His mouth is so open it's like a huge spit hole on his face. This kisser also likes to stick his tongue as deep into your mouth as possible, as if he wants you to say, "Aaahhh ..."

The Diss: Simply pull back a little so his tongue can't reach past, say, your second molar. You want him to kiss you, not check your tonsils.

THE FLOPPING FISH (a.k.a. The Wrestler)

The Kiss: He's got two moves with his tongue: 1) vigorously up, and 2) vigorously down. When he's really warmed up, he might go side to side. This guy isn't into kissing in a sweet, gentle way. He's into kissing like it's a WWE maneuver.

The Diss: Before you toss this one out of the ring or back to sea see if you can reel him in. Your tongue is actually a muscle, so tongue-wrestle his into submission by pushing it up and, well, sort a "pinning" it. Then you can expertly take over the kiss.

THE HOT TAMALE (a.k.a. The Gas Mask)

The Kiss: This one isn't so much about the kiss as what's behind it. The kiss might be a winner if your dude didn't taste like fermented burger burps.

The Dies: If you're bold enough to offer him a mint, do it and carry on with the kissin'. If not, breathe solely out of your mouth. It's nor much help, but it's better than his nasty exhale burning your nostrils. And next time, take a bite of his chili burger--it'll soften the blow.

THE SLIME PUPPY (a.k.a. The Lollipop)

The Kiss: This guy's a licker. Too much spit. He's treating your face like it's a double scoop of Cherry Garcia.

The Diss: Maneuver so that when he goes in for a lick, the tip of his tongue meets the tip of yours. Keep at it until you find a rhythm, a style. Two tongues doing the tango can be tasty. One tongue lapping up your cheekbone is just plain icky.

AWESOME Kiss Tip!

Pucker up ... Uneasy about your whole lip-locking technique? Try slowly saying the word "peaches" while really articulating with your lips. Say it with a lot of breath, but don't pop the "P" sound so much that you spit spray straight out of your mouth. Slowly, softly, breathily, roll "peaches" and hold your lips in the position of the final "S" sound. There you have it--a perfect pucker for any kiss.

The Boy. The Place. The Time.

WHO WILL YOU KISS?

Of course, you don't want to become a kissing bandit, so you should only smooch someone if you actually like him. But it helps to know if he'd be a ready participant (see "5 Ways to Tell He Wants to Kiss You," next page). You could suggest a kissing game at the next boy-girl bash, then cheat by getting in cahoots with your BFF. Have her wrangle it so the guy you like ends up kissing you with a blindfold on.

WHERE WILL YOU KISS?

Kissing should be done when you and your guy are somewhere alone together--duh. It's getting him alone with you that's the hard part. A good trick is to put yourself in his path. Like when you're at a dance or late-night sporting event, conveniently be thirsty right as he goes to get a drink. When you're at a party, just happen to be waiting to use the bathroom just as he's exiting---hallways are excellently snug! If you "already have a willing kissing partner, here are a few spots to sneak a smooch:

1. In your living room. Mom's busy baking up a batch of brownies in the kitchen, right?

2. Under the bleachers. This cliche earned it's reputation for good reason!

3. At the park. Leaning against a tree, side by side on the swings, sitting on a picnic table with your feet on the benches ... Can it get more romantic?

4. Next to the gym. Schools are big places and, after dismissal, relatively free of students and teachers. Hang out and, when the coast is clear, gently take his hand while giving him your best Katie Holmes no-teeth, come-hither grin. Then, give his hand a tiny pull. How irresistible is that?

Unless, of course ... Some schools have no-PDA (no public displays of affection) rules. If your school does, save yourself the trouble (trip to the principal's office, call to your parents, detention) and just kiss him anywhere but on campus.

WHEN WILL YOU KISS?

Without argument, the darker the time of day, the better. The early evening is terrific--like when you're at a soccer match or baseball game--because the glow of dusk is extra flattering. Nighttime is a winner because it's more romantic. And something about less light lessens nerves, which helps him (and you) muster up the gumption to go for it.

5 Ways to Tell He wants to Kiss You

1. He stares at your mouth when you're talking ... and when you aren't.

This guy is surveying the territory, sister!

2. He has minty-fresh breath.

Nothing wrong with a boy who prepares--so considerate!

3. He makes excuses to get you somewhere private.

A smart boy knows you're more likely to agree to a kiss if people aren't eye-balling your oh-so romantic smoocharoo!

4. He keeps licking his lips.

A subconscious giveaway! Oh, and this trick works if you want to send a subliminal "kiss me!" signal.

5. He finds ways to compliment you.

Your kisser is trying to warm you up with flattery. Look him in the eye, and give him a confident, "Thank you so much." That eye contact could advance to mouth-to-mouth contact.

CELEB KISSES

There's a first time for everything--and everybody. Even celebrities aren't always great at putting on a perfect performance for their real-life love scenes. Ah, first kiss ...

"[This girl] tried to kiss me, and I was like, 'Gotta-go-I-have-tennis-practice.' I've never tennis in my life. The next day, she pinned me on the wall, put her arms around me and planted one right on my lips in front of the whole school."--Freddie Prinze Jr.

"My first kiss was awkward and nerve-wracking and wonderful all at the same time. I was so petrified. I thought it was something I couldn't handle. Once it was over, it was OK. Then, i wanted more!--Katie Holmes

"It was in third grade. I went strawberry-picking with my boyfriend at the time. We were going through the strawberry mountain, and he grabbed me and started to French-kiss me. I was pushing him off! And then I broke up with him."--Lee Lee Sobieski

From His Lips to Yours ... Who better to give you kiss bliss?

Andrei: 14

Age of first kiss: 11

Girl's he's kissed: 5

Favorite place to kiss: "A good place is in your house. But at camp or at the movies works."

OK or lame for a girl to make the first move?: "I don't know if it's OK or not OK, but I think it's kind of awkward."

Biggest mistake girls make: "Biting!"

Difference between a good kiss and bad kiss: "Too much tongue."

Best signals a girl can give to get her crush to kiss her: "Look at me, flirt and get close. Hang out places you know I'm going to be."

After the kiss: "Be cool. Don't be too excited."

What he wishes girls knew: "When a girl wears matters. If she's dressed up, I know she's trying to get my attention."

Biggest kissing turn-off: "Some girls gossip about it, and it gets screwed up."

Biggest kissing turn-on: "A girl who doesn't get all cocky afterward, like, 'I got him!'"

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Philipp: 15

Age of first kiss: 14

Girl's he's kissed: 4

Favorite time to kiss: "Sunset."

OK or lame for a girl to make the first move?: "It's definitely OK. Some guys get mixed signals and don't know if she wants to be kissed. Cluing us in is a very good thing."

Difference between a good kiss and bad kiss "A bad kiss is sloppy and goes too fast."

Best signals a girl can give to get her crush to kiss her: "When a girl touches her hair or throws her hair back, like the Charlie's Angels hair flip, that's a good signal."

Biggest kissing turn-off: "Too much saliva."

Biggest kissing turn-on: "The best is soft lips and good breath."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Torey: 15

Age of first kiss: 8

Girl's he's kissed: 7

Favorite time to kiss: "At night, in the privacy of a room where we are alone."

OK or lame for a girl to make the first move?: "I like it. Just be sure the timing is perfect and I'm interested."

Biggest mistake girls make: "It's no good when girls try too hard and put too much into it or think too much."

Difference between a good kiss and bad kiss: "A good kiss is when you know she means it--when she's not just doing it just to do it but she really feels the emotion behind it."

What you wish girls knew: "Personally, I like a little aggressiveness. Don't be shy."

Biggest kissing turn-off: "It's all good."

Biggest kissing turn-on: "When you're done ... and she want to kiss you again."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Nolan: 14

Age of first kiss: 12

Girls he's kissed: 6

Favorite place to kiss: "In a dark theater."

OK or lame for a girl to make the first move?:

"It's OK, as long as it's not a bad time, like when I'm hanging with my boys--because they'll bug me about it later."

Biggest mistake girls make: "Some girls are overly aggressive and go for the kill too early."

Best signals a girl can give to get her crush to kiss her: "If she looks me in the eyes, I know she's up for it."

During the kiss: "When I'm kissing her, I like her to put her arms around my neck."

After the kiss: "No after! Just keep kissing!"

What you wish girls knew: "I don't think a girl should use the tongue on the first date."

Biggest kissing turn-off: "Kisses that are just too wet aren't good."

Biggest kissing turn-on: "I like romantic kisses that last for a long time."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Jordan: 15

Age of first kiss: 13

Girls he's kissed: 7

Favorite time to kiss: "At night, on the couch."

OK or tame for a girl to make the first move?:

"Definitely OK. I hate when people say girls can't ask guys out or make any moves. That's the wrong attitude."

Biggest mistake girls make: "Hesitation. You're about to kiss a girl and she hesitates--it just ruins everything."

Difference between a good kiss and bad kiss: "If there's no rhythm, it's no good."

Best signals a girl can give to get her crush to kiss her: "Give him the hints--sit closer, look at him, stuff like that."

During the kiss: "I like her to run her hands through my hair."

After the kiss: "Don't be embarrassed!"

Biggest kissing turn-off: "If she says 'no.'"

Biggest kissing turn-on: "If she says 'yes'!"

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG IF ...

1. You can't breathe.

You don't want to kiss him, take a huge breath, kiss him, take a huge breath. You're not swimming freestyle--you're kissing. Breathe!

2. You keep banging teeth.

You'll feel his and he'll feel yours once in a while. But if you keep knocking teeth, concentrate on keeping the kiss soft.

3. You need bibs.

A kiss is going to be a little wet because mouths are wet. Then again, if there's so much saliva that the two of you are causing little spit drips (ick!) the kiss is way too wet. Again, the best advice is to slow down.

4. You can't find a groove.

There you are, really kissing him, getting into it big-time. And there he is, mouth open, barely with ya on the smooch. Maybe he was into a light kiss, while you were ready to dazzle him. Kissing is mutual, so you've gotta vibe each other. That's why starting with the slo-mo pecks and working up (or not) to a bigger kiss is key.

AND HOW WAS YOUR KISS?

Readers confess their most modifying kissing moments!

"I liked this guy, but I didn't know he liked me. One night, he just pulled me close and put his mouth on mine. I was so shocked that I didn't really respond. He darted his tongue into my mouth but didn't move it. It was just this big yucky-feeling tongue in my mouth. After only seconds of our 'kiss,' I pushed him away and said, "I can't!" Then, I wiped his spit off my chin. My friends still love to imitate me, going 'I caaaaannnn't.'"--Kim, 14

"My BFF heard that my BF wanted to kiss me after school, but my mom had put dill pickles in my lunch so I was stressed about my breath. The only gum I could find was from this weird girl in math who always chews chocolate gum. After school, my BF started kissing me. But then he stopped, and he was all, 'Dude, your breath is like sick garlic and candy at the same time." I thought I was going to die!"--Natalie, 13

"I was so nervous that a burp accidentally escaped from my throat while we were Frenching! He jerked away from me and said, 'Gross! I could totally taste that!"--Mia, 15

"My boyfriend and I were playing this card game called Slap Jack, where you have to react fast and slap the Jacks. For tie-breakers, we made a rule to kiss really fast (Just an excuse!). Halfway through the game, we both slapped a Jack at the same time, and both went for the fast kiss, But we bumped front teeth and his left tooth chipped!"--Megan, 14

"During a game of Truth or Dare, I got blindfolded end sent into a walk-in closet to wait for my kissing partner, also blindfolded. The guy came in, and I kissed my guy. But while we were kissing, I heard everyone laughing really loud! I yanked off my blindfold and realized our friends had pulled a prank on us. I was actually kissing my ... step-brother! He was so mad, he totally body-tackled the guy who set us up. I still get teased about that night, but my step-brother and I never mention it. Ew.--Dana, 14

GL on the DL #1

Still unsure if you've got it right?

TRY THIS: When kissing with an open mouth (slightly open, not a giant "O" shape), gently breathe in as if you're taking the air from your boy's mouth. Delicious.

GL on the DL #2

Practice Makes a Perfect Pucker

Sorry if this sounds dorky, but you can practice alone by kissing the palm of your hand. A tad embarrassing, sure, so GL recommends you do this after you go to bed or maybe even in the shower. First, practice the slo-mo peck, and work your way up to getting your tongue in on the action. Your palm will be sensitive to the touch, so you'll be able to gauge if your tongue is too pointed or stiff, or if you've got too much saliva in on the deal. Remember that you want to caress his lips and tongue with yours, so that's what your practice kiss should feel like to you--a soft, gentle caress with your mouth. Practicing really does help. We promise not to tell anyone.

GL on the DL #3

HOW NOT TO MISS WHEN THE KISS

One of the rules of the universe is that a great way to know what to do ... is to know what not to do. Here are a few ways you could sour the sweetest of kisses....

BAD BREATH Mints are cheap, so invest and keep them on hand for the unexpected lip-lock. If you know beforehand that you're going to be kissed, avoid any stinky foods (garlic, onions, strong coffee, even peanut butter) the entire day.

MUCH TONGUE You really don't want your kiss to be like unleashing an excited lizard deeply into his mouth. Equally unappealing? Moving your tongue around super-fast. Don't mistake tongue-lashin' for passion.

NO REACTION He's kissing you? Be sure to kiss him back. To put it bluntly, you don't want to just receive his kiss with an open, idle mouth. Respond by kissing him your way.

GL on the DL #4

BAD BREATH, BE GONE!

Let's get scientific for a sec and deal with why we get bad breath--and what to do about it. Ninety percent of bad breath is caused by gases produced by bacteria in the crevices of the tongue. And you thought it was all about the burrito.

BAD BREATH BUSTER #1: Drink water. It's harder for bacteria to grew when you're hydrated, because your mouth has more saliva.

BAD BREATH BUSTER #2: Mints, breath strips, gum--there are whole aisles devoted to minty (or cinnamon or whatever) fresh breath. Go find your fave.

BAD BREATH BUSTER #3: If you don't have any mints, go into a bathroom and wipe your tongue off with a napkin. Even better, scrape it with a plastic spoon from the cafeteria. Sounds weird but, in a pinch, it works.

NEVER BEEN KISSED?

You haven't had any sugar in your life yet? No worries--you will. According to the Dictionary of Sexuality, the average human being will spend two full weeks of her life kising. Break that number down, and that's roughly 336 hours or 20,160 minutes of kissing.