Shallowing 101: Your Guide To This Trending Penetration Technique
Did you know that 90 percent of the vagina's nerve endings are at its opening? Move over clitoris, because this usually looked-over erogenous zone can actually provide more pleasure than you might think. Especially with a special penetration technique: shallowing.
But what is shallowing? And is shallowing sex right for you? Whether you're looking to experience a different kind of play with your partner or want to heighten your own solo sensations, it's a lovely technique to explore with or without your other half.
To give us the low-down on everything you need to know about shallow penetration, we've teamed up with a sex expert below.
In this article:
What Is Shallowing?
Shallowing is a bit like it sounds: It's a penetration technique that is shallow, focusing on the opening of the vagina and the few centimeters inside of it.
"Shallowing is mainly having the tip of a penis, fingers, a sex toy or the tongue just at the inside of the vaginal entrance," says Charley Allen, a Los Angeles-based marriage and family therapist with expertise in relationships, intimacy, addiction treatment and more. "What makes shallowing pleasurable is that it fuels anticipation. You're inside but not fully inside, making one person want their partner more, and that enhances the sexual experience between two individuals."
Whether you're a heterosexual couple, part of an LGBTQ+ partnership or you're single, anyone can try out shallow penetration for themselves.
How to Get Started With Shallowing
One particular plus about shallowing sex is that can be done in a myriad of different ways: You can do it solo, with a partner or even in combination with sex toys. Here's how to get started.
Using shallowing in masturbation
There's nothing wrong with a little solo sesh—in fact, we highly recommend it—and shallowing is a great way to experience a new kind of pleasure, get your body going and explore yourself and what you like.
For example, you can try out shallowing using your fingers. Begin by rubbing them on the opening and few centimeters inside the vagina. Right away, you might notice how your body responds and tingles. You can also try it out with a toy by barely inserting your favorite dildo or vibrator inside while you touch your body simultaneously.
Shallowing is truly a great act of self-exploration and can be done in any way that feels good for you.
Shallowing with a partner
You can also incorporate shallowing sex with a partner, too, if you're interested in trying it together. "Before trying anything in the bedroom, always communicate what you want and your partner's comfortability," Allen says. "By doing this, you're making the sexual experience not only pleasurable but also safe."
Once it's a go, feel free to explore the many positions for shallow penetration. Missionary is a great one since it can feel like a big tease when your partner uses a toy or their body to only be inside you at a shallow depth. It will leave you and your play partner begging for more.
Doggy style can also work well for this and even oral sex. However you choose to try shallowing with your significant other, it can add plenty of fun (and pleasure) into your romp.
The Best Sex Toys For Shallowing
Ready to try shallowing, huh? Luckily, whether you're looking to try it on your own or with a partner, there are many sex toys that can be of help. Here are four that will leave you with your toes curled.
Playboy Pleasure Ring My Bell Vibrator
This new, innovative toy from Playboy Pleasure is made just for shallow penetration. It's a ring-shaped toy that is insertable by one inch. The petite tip offers shallow penetration with 10 vibrating speeds and functions. To use it, "dip" the tip of it inside the vagina and light up those nerve endings.
Notable Review: "The "Ring My Bell" vibrator—a postmodern sculpture/clit wizard—still hasn't lost its place on my nightstand after all those months."
Indulge Double-Sided Vibrator
Bloomi's double-sided vibrator is an excellent one for anyone looking to try out shallowing. One side is more bulbous while the other is slightly less girthy, so you can play around with which side feels best as you inch it inside. It has one non-vibrating and one vibrating side, too, which can be used for both G-spot and P-spot pleasure, and gives you options of ways to explore shallow penetration.
Notable review: "I absolutely LOVE it! It has become my go-to vibe. Wouldn't change a thing about it.
The Swan Vibrator
This modern-looking, sculptural sex toy is a great choice for shallowing. Not only can you leave it on your nightstand for all to see (it doesn't exactly look like a sex toy), it's also super flexible and versatile. It has 10 vibrating speeds and settings that you can use to your liking, making each shaft have a unique sensation. Use this in solo play by inserting it slightly inside your vagina, while using the other smaller end to stimulate the clitoris.
Notable review: "This is so fun to have on my nightstand and I love that no one knows it's actually a sex toy! The vibrations get me every time."
Enigma Wave
LELO's Enigma Wave is a sonic massager that offers G-spot stimulation and clitoral stimulation simultaneously—but we think it's also great for a more advanced version of shallowing: Insert the head at a shallow depth. While your clitoris experiences suction, experience a new level of pleasure with shallowing sex.
Notable review: "Amazing is all that needs to be said. Biggest orgasm that I've ever experienced EVERY SINGLE TIME. 10 out of 10."