LOVE AND SEX

Your Expert Guide to Rimming: What It Is and How to Do It

Curious about rimming? This expert guide covers what a rim job is, how to do it safely, and tips for giving and receiving maximum pleasure.

PUBLISHED: SEP 29, 2025

Image by Getty Images

What is rimming? An expert guide to giving a rim job

And no, it’s not just a stop on the road to anal sex

Loading Image & Description...

Jump to:

What is a rim job?

Who is rimming for?

Is rimming safe?

How to prepare for rimming

Rimming: A step-by-step guide

Rimming, ass licking, analingus (if we want to use its 'proper' name), or simply a rim job, involves licking, penetrating with the tongue, sucking, kissing, or otherwise orally stimulating your partner’s bum. Despite the misconceptions out there, rimming is not merely a stop on the road to anal sex — it’s a fun sexual activity in its own right that can be enjoyed by people of all genders and sexual identities, if they so wish. Some people might consider it the main sex act of the day, while other people might view it as a way to prepare for anal sex — it’s totally up to the individual and their partner, and what they both fancy.

Loading Content...

As with *every* sexual activity between consensual partners, trust and communication are necessary for enjoyable rimming. Thankfully, Jess Wilde, sex and bondage expert at Lovehoney, was able to share her invaluable wisdom on what a rim job is, and give her advice and tips for the best ways of giving and enjoying rimming.

Loading Advertisement...

What is a rim job?

A rim job is when one partner licks, kisses, sucks, and stimulates their partner’s anus with their mouth and tongue. It doesn’t have to always involve penetration of the tongue, but it can if you and your partner are into it! It can be a wonderful, pleasurable act on its own. But it can also be a great way to prepare for anal sex and get comfortable and ready for penetration.

Loading Content...

Who is rimming for?

Rimming — as long as it's consensual, obvs — is for everyone. Anyone who feels comfortable or curious about the foreplay can give it a go. After all, we've all got an anus, meaning it can be enjoyed, whatever your sexual orientation.

Is rimming safe?

Even with a thorough clean, a lot of people still feel a little uneasy with direct tongue-to-butthole contact, and that’s OK! And understandable, given any genital contact can lead to the transfer of bacteria and STIs. If you and your partner haven’t had a recent anal STI check, or if one of you would just feel more comfortable with a barrier between you, pick up a dental dam. They create a physical barrier between you and whatever you’re licking. The person receiving can still feel everything without direct contact. Some are even flavoured for extra delectable derriere licking.

Loading Content...

Loading Advertisement...

How to prepare for rimming

Loading Image...

Once you and your partner have decided that rimming is something you’d like to try, it’s time to prepare. For both of your benefits, it’s a good idea to have a thorough clean before you begin. This can be a bath or shower or, if you want to, you can use an anal douche before you play. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just do it.

If you want to have a really thorough clean, you can try an enema or anal douche. It’s pretty obvious why this is important to the person performing tongue play (taste, smell, bacteria, sweat), but it’s also really important for the receiver. It’s understandable that a lot of people have concerns about cleanliness in that area due to its ‘day job’ (plus it’s pretty tricky to get a good look at your own bumhole), so knowing that you’ve given yourself a jolly good clean will help you relax.

In terms of pubic hair, a lot of people who choose to trim their hair seem to forget that it grows much further than the perineum. Most people have a hairy butthole (even if it’s just a straggler or two). Don’t believe me? Go take a look in the mirror.

Now, clearly body hair’s a choice, and if you like having short and curlies around your pink balloon knot, then that’s cool. But, if your partner has a real aversion to body hair and you want to have some bum-fun (and are happy to compromise), you might like to consider giving your bot-bot some grooming attention the next time you’re in the area. Not only will it help prevent the old hair-between-the-teeth scenario for your partner, but the less hair you have between your skin and theirs, the easier it’ll be for your partner to get their tongue and lips where you’ll feel it most. Less hair = better stimulation = bum-holy-bliss!

Loading Content...

Rimming: A step-by-step guide

Preparation over, let's get down to business:

Image by Canva

Step 1: Add flavoured lube

Loading Image...

We all know that most meals taste better with a little seasoning. Take the same approach when it comes to salad tossing and drizzle your lover’s anus with your favourite flavoured lube. It’ll have the double benefit of helping your lips and tongue slide over sensitive areas, as well as tasting delicious.

You can always give the lube to your partner and get them to pour it wherever they want your tongue to travel.

Loading Content...