As the nights get colder you can earn some serious brownie points from your partner by wooing her with an erotic massage. Read on for simple massage techniques that range from the sensual to the explicit - and adapt them to your own desires.

Warm Up

An erotic massage involves getting up close and personal with your partner - so the clothes should come off right away. Very few women want to get naked in sub-zero conditions so make sure you pre-heat the room to a decent temperature before hand. Also, make sure you warm the massage oil; either in the microwave or under a hot tap; and test the temperature before you put it on your partner’s skin – to avoid any nasty accidents.

Get Comfortable

You may be eager to get to the post-massage action, but try not to rush things. Instead take your time. Make sure you are both comfortable and pick a spot where you can access all sides of your lover’s body. Have your partner lay face-down on a bed, or a large area of floor.

Apply the Oil

Pour about a tablespoon of massage oil, such as Kama Sutra Serenity Massage Oil, into your hands and rub them together, then place them on your partner's body.  The oil will allow your hands to glide over her skin. This will feel fabulous for her and you’ll be able to keep going for longer because your hands won’t become tired.

The Technique

You can use several techniques during the massage; start with gentle, exploratory movements along the length of your girlfriend’s body before experimenting with different sensations. Like skimming your fingertips lightly over her body, circling your palms round and round, or making your hands into half-fists and using your knuckles to massage her back, bottom or legs. Also, try unknotting tense muscles by moving your thumbs repeatedly in small circles.

Communicate

There’s nothing worse than a painful massage; and your partner may be so grateful to receive one from you that she just grins and bears it through the torture – so communicate with your partner to make sure what you are doing actually feels good. 

A Full Body Experience

Make it a whole body experience and don’t miss a single part of your lover’s body. Start with the back, shoulders, arms, hands, bottom. Then turn your partner over and continue to massage the face and scalp followed by the legs, feet, abdomen, chest and genitals.

Make it Sexual

Once you arrive at the vagina you can focus your attention on providing a fantastic hand job. Start with gentle exploratory movements. Try placing a well-oiled hand over your partner’s vulva, with the fingers pointing toward her bottom, and then move your hand in a circular motion, or lightly move it up and down so that your palm grazes the clitoris on the way. Most women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm, so dedicate plenty of time and attention to this little pleasure nodule. Try stimulating it with one or more fingers, move in a circular motion or up and down. Experiment with different speeds, pressures and directions. If you’ve seen your partner masturbate, then imitate the way she touches herself. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and guidance. 

You may or may not want to bring your girlfriend to orgasm with your hands; erotic massage can be used as foreplay or be an event in itself. If you do switch to intercourse then remember that oil is not latex safe. And however you choose to ‘finish’ don’t neglect the post-coital cuddle!