Five Tips for a More Photogenic Smile
We’ve all got cameras in our pockets all day every day, thanks to our phones, so we all need to feel photo-ready all the time. All those photos can make us feel self-conscious about our smiles. If you want to look and feel better in pictures, use these easy tips to get your smile ready to flash in photographs.
1. Be natural. When posing for a picture, try to smile gently. With a gentle, natural smile, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth will open slightly and your lower lip will match the curve of your upper teeth. You’ll look much more relaxed and happy. A smile like this is the opposite of a quick flash of a smile that you might use when you see something that makes you happy unexpectedly. These smiles make your eyes squint and your neck muscles tense. This makes you look awkward and uncomfortable in photos.
2. Stand up straight. Do you look back at photos and wonder why your smile gives you a double chin? Your posture might actually be the problem. If you slouch or stand with your head bent forward, this can impact the way your smile looks. Instead, stand with good posture. Turn your head slightly, and drop your chin so your face is not completely square on to the camera.
3. Choose the right lipstick. If you wear lipstick, pick one that works well with your skin tone. If you get the shade of your lipstick right, your teeth can actually look whiter. Cherry red, wine, berry, plum, and rose pink are good choices for whiter teeth. Blue or pink-based undertones in your lipstick can minimise the appearance of yellow stains on your teeth. The wrong colour will do the opposite, especially if you get a shade that is too dark or too red.
4. Check your teeth and gums. If you’re worried about your smile in photos, you can do some preparation work behind the scenes. If your teeth are beginning to yellow, either with age, or thanks to a taste for red wine and black coffee, you could try a whitening product or ask your dentist for teeth whitening treatment. If your teeth are uneven, then invisible braces could be a discreet solution to help you improve their alignment. If you have cracked or broken teeth, you may need dental treatment ro correct the problem. Remember to look after your gums too. You might not think about them much, but actually, your gums play an important part in having a nice smile. Look after your teeth and gums properly by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash every day.
5. Practice. The perfect photogenic smile might not come naturally to you. If you know you’re going to an event where there will be a lot of photo-taking, like a wedding or a graduation, and you’re nervous about your smile, practice at home in the mirror. See how it looks and feels when you strike a natural, unforced smile. Move your head around to find your most appealing angles and you’re ready for pictures.