VICE50m ·We’ve reached the point where just about everything you’ve ever done in bed now has an official name.

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‘Shallowing’ is the masturbation technique that can dramatically intensify female sexual pleasure​

Shift the focus.

By

28 January 2022

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Our editors work with affiliates when we select some or all of the products featured. We will receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases through these links.​

Shallowing is the masturbation technique that's been catching people's attention recently. It makes sense. Masturbation has undeniably found its way into women’s wellness routines. ​

At least that’s the case for 91% of the GLAMOUR readers who responded to our masturbation survey with a “YES”. 36% of you do it regularly (that’s 2-5 times a week). And given 67% of you use a vibrator, it’s safe to say there’s a whole lot of sexual empowerment happening, which we’re happy to hear.​

But alongside being more open to exploring with sex toys and new positions, women want more info when it comes to OMG techniques too (which may be why so many of you clicked on our article on edging masturbation). It’s a trend sex toy brand, SmileMakers has seen as well. Some of the brand’s most-saved Instagram posts this past year have been around creative techniques to try. The fact that people are sharing them and saving them suggests they’re spotting them while out and about and saving them to revisit later.​

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So, back to “shallowing.” In a nutshell, it involves keeping penetrative touch to just inside the entrance of the vagina, rather than going in too deep.​

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“The entrance of the vagina is richly innervated. It actually contains 90% of the vagina's nerve endings which is why its stimulation can feel very pleasurable – be it with a partner or solo. So it's worth paying some attention to it,” explains Cecile Gasnault, brand director Smile Makers and creator of Vulva Talks.​

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“If you practice penetrative sex, you might have already found it pleasurable when the head of the penis creates pressure at the vaginal entrance before or at the very beginning of penetration. Same with a toy or fingers,” she adds.​

But the feeling is usually fleeting. “Stimulation of the lower vagina is often overlooked, with the deeper end of the vagina, or the clitoris stealing the thunder. But you can explore lower vagina pleasure through the technique of shallow stimulation. The idea is to go in only by a few centimetres,” explains Cecile.​

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“You can start by placing the fingers, the penis or the toy at the entrance of the vagina and pressing gently, barely going in. Take your time and breathe slowly,” says Cecile. “You can close your eyes and fully focus on the sensation. To explore further, you can create small movements. Trace some small circles or wriggle around. Notice if one side feels more sensitive. If so, you can try to focus the stimulation there, by making 'come hither' movements.”​

It's a new move to add some extra variety to your repertoire and, it might just be exactly the shift you need. ​

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk. After more sex content? Our guide to the best clit vibrators is worth a peak.

 

[MASTERBAKER]

Shallowing 101: Your Guide To This Trending Penetration Technique​

Shallow can be sexy, too.

Photo: Getty Images | Yana Iskayeva

by
Hayley Folk

Updated Dec 11, 2023

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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?
• How to Get Started With Shallowing
• The Best Sex Toys For Shallowing

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​

Courtesy of Lovers
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."

$80 | Lovers

Indulge Double-Sided Vibrator​

Courtesy of Bloomi
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.

$60 | Bloomi

The Swan Vibrator​

Courtesy of Lovers
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."

$68 | Lovers

Enigma Wave​

Courtesy of LELO
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."