How to Fake a Smile

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Faking a smile seems like it should be as easy as curling your mouth upwards, but in reality, it’s easy to spot the difference between a fake smile and a real smile. By understanding what makes a real smile, it will be easier for you to fake one. And since smiling can trick your brain into feeling happy, you might end up smiling for real! [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Mastering a Realistic Expression

PDF download Download Article
  1. Take a few deep breaths so you feel relaxed . If you’re in a situation where you need to fake a smile, take a moment to try to relax. If you're tense, your muscles will stiffen and your smile will look forced. Before you smile, take a deep breath or two and try to clear your mind so you can be as relaxed as possible. [2]
    • You might not have a lot of time before you have to fake smile, but it doesn't take long to take a nice, deep breath.
  2. The most obvious part of a smile is to curl up the corners of your mouth, creating a smiley-face curve with your lips. You should feel the smile extend up and out into your cheeks. [3]
    • The muscles that you use to control a smile are called the zygomatic major.
    Advertisement
  3. As you’re drawing up your cheeks to form your smile, try to keep your mouth relaxed, or else the smile will look forced. Part your lips slightly as you smile, or open your lips a little wider to show off a toothy grin!
  4. A natural smile will affect your whole face, including your eyes. When you’re practicing a realistic smile, the corners of your eyes should crinkle slightly. The muscles used here are called the orbicularis oculi, and while you can’t contract them voluntarily, you can mimic a realistic smile by squinting slightly. [4]
    • In addition to squinting the muscles around your eyes, you may want to slightly raise your eyebrows.
  5. You’ve probably heard the phrase “Say Cheese!” a million times before taking a picture, but this won't give you a realistic smile. That’s because you clench your jaw when you say the word “cheese,” and the ee sound stretches your mouth. Instead, say a word ending in “uh,” like “karma” or “mocha.” [5]
    • Words ending in the syllable "uh" will create a more natural, relaxed expression that resembles a real smile.
  6. This trick, often used by fashion models, helps keep you from tensing up your smile. Since your face looks more relaxed, your smile will appear more natural. This is a great trick if you need to fake a smile for a photo, but it works in real life too. [6]
    • For the most relaxed results, just rest the very tip of your tongue against the back of your front top teeth.
  7. If you practice smiling for a few minutes every day, eventually it will become easier, and you'll look more natural. As you’re looking in the mirror, think of something that makes you genuinely smile. Pay attention to how the muscles in your face feel, especially around your eyes. When you need to fake a smile, try to recreate that feeling! [7] [8]
    • By seeing yourself smile in the mirror, you can get more comfortable with your smile. Don’t worry if you don’t have perfect teeth or if your cheeks look round when you’re smiling. A nice smile will make you more attractive, no matter what.
    • For even more practice, smile at random strangers throughout the day.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Thinking of Something That Makes You Smile

PDF download Download Article
  1. No matter how much you practice, the best smile is a real one. When you need to show off a bright, genuine smile, think of a time when you were really happy. Think of something nice someone did for you, something you did that made you feel proud, or just a time when you were having fun and laughing with your friends or family. [9] [10]
    • You might think about the time you aced a really tough test, a great day with your friends, or your favorite birthday.
    • Once you have that moment, let it fill you up until you start to naturally smile.
    • If you’re having trouble thinking of a happy time, try to imagine all of the people you’re with wearing silly outfits, like chicken costumes or pirate hats! The more serious the situation, the better this will work!
  2. Smiling and laughing go hand in hand, so if you can think of something funny, you’ll be more likely to smile! You could think of something funny that happened to you, something you read, or something that you saw on TV. As long as it makes you laugh, it will work! [11]
    • If you have a minute to prepare, try looking up some memes on your phone, or read through some texts with one of your funniest friends.
  3. Nothing will put a smile on your face faster than seeing someone you love. If you need to fake a smile, just take a moment to imagine that you’re surrounded by the people who mean the most to you. [12]
    • This can look different for everyone. You might picture your grandma with a plate full of cookies, or you might think about holding hands with your spouse on an early date. Just let the pleasant memories come to you.
  4. If you’re a pet lover, this is sure to produce an instant smile! There’s just something about the antics of cute animal that creates delight in most people. Just imagine a cute, fuzzy animal, then imagine yourself playing with it, talking to it, and having it show you affection. As soon as you feel your face light up, you’re good to go! [13] [14]
    • You might picture a soft, fluffy kitten rubbing its face on your hand, a sweet pup asking for a belly rub, or even an iguana giving you kisses if that’s what you like.
    • This happy reaction to pets is the reason that therapy animals have become so popular in recent years!
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I make my smile more attractive?
    Traci Halvorson
    Modeling Agent
    Traci Halvorson is a Modeling Agent, Former Model, and the Owner of Halvorson Model Management (HMM) in San Jose, California. HMM is a full-service, licensed talent agency representing over 300 professional models and actors. With over 25 years of experience in the modeling industry, Traci specializes in scouting, managing, advising, and launching modeling careers in the Bay Area. Traci holds a BA in Public Relations & Business Management from San Jose State University and also specializes in Marketing, Image consulting, and is a certified Life-Career Coach.
    Traci Halvorson
    Modeling Agent
    Expert Answer
    Whitening strips are a great option, especially if you're heading to a photoshoot. Good oral care and dental hygiene are also really important.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 11
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Smile
      How to
      Be Happy
      How to
      Smile When You Think You Can't Smile
      How to
      Be a Pornstar
      How to
      Growl
      How to
      Disguise Your Voice over the Phone
      How to
      Mime
      How to
      Act
      How to
      Become an Actress: Development, Auditioning, & More
      How to
      Have Presence
      How to
      Act in a Play
      How to
      Pantomime
      How to
      Be Confident on Stage
      How to
      Be a Movie Star
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/smile-it-could-make-you-happier/
      2. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2255
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologies.co.uk/self/try-this-and-smile.html
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologies.co.uk/self/try-this-and-smile.html
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologies.co.uk/self/try-this-and-smile.html
      6. ↑ http://www.ellecanada.com/fashion/trends/article/10-steps-to-the-perfect-selfie
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologies.co.uk/self/try-this-and-smile.html
      8. ↑ Traci Halvorson. Modeling Agent. Expert Interview. 17 June 2021.
      9. ↑ https://www.psychologies.co.uk/self/try-this-and-smile.html
      1. ↑ Traci Halvorson. Modeling Agent. Expert Interview. 17 June 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.elle.com/life-love/a31643/how-to-fake-it-at-work/
      3. ↑ https://www.elle.com/life-love/a31643/how-to-fake-it-at-work/
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201609/just-looking-dog-can-make-you-smile
      5. ↑ Traci Halvorson. Modeling Agent. Expert Interview. 17 June 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      It can be easy to spot the difference between a fake smile and a real one, so if you want to master a fake smile, you’ll need to make it as realistic as possible. Start by relaxing your face, then draw up the corners of your mouth. You should feel the smile extend up into your cheeks, which will naturally part your lips a bit. Since a natural smile lights up your entire face, raise your eyebrows a little as you slightly squint your eyes. To avoid tensing up, rest the very tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth. Another way that you can fake a smile is to think of a happy memory or a funny joke. To learn how to practice your fake smile, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 205,497 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Angel Jackson

        Aug 6, 2021

        "I don't smile that often and everyone thinks I am sad all the time. Now, thanks to you guys I fake a smile ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement