Due to COVID-19, wearing a mask in public is necessary and really important. When wearing masks ½ of our faces are covered including one of our best features, our smiles. This is unfortunate since our smiles are a big indicator of expressing ourselves positively to other people. With half of our face hidden, we can no longer rely on our cheeky dimples, plumped pouts or toothy grins to make a positive impression. We must rely on other parts of our body to express ourselves positively behind the mask. In 2009 supermodel Tyra Banks coined the term “SMIZE” (smile with your eyes). In 2020 the term needs to be updated to SMASK (smile with your mask)! Here are some tips for perfecting the smask.
Smize (smile with your eyes)
vs
Smask (smile with your mask)
In 2009 supermodel Tyra Banks coined the term “smize” on the thirteenth season of America’s Next Top Model. Tyra would tell her model minions she wanted to see more “smizing” in their photographs. That is, she wanted more expression from their eyes in a sexy and playful way. In 2020 the smize needs to be upgraded to the smask. Smasking is having a relaxed, natural and friendly expression while wearing a mask. With the bottom half of our faces covered, it is important to execute a good smize but to take it to the next level you need to execute a good smask too. Here is how:
- Relax – When wearing a mask stay relaxed! Keep your shoulders, head and neck loose. If necessary, take deep breaths in behind the mask. You don’t want to appear stiff and robotic which comes off as being fake and phony. You want to appear carefree and comfortable. Staying loose and relaxed will help with that!
- Wear a comfortable and well-fitted mask – To execute a perfect smask you need a solid foundation which is a great mask! Many companies have started to make non medical grade masks. Check out Old Navy (here) for some cute gingham and tie dye options. Etsy has a huge assortment of affordable handmade fabric non medical masks in cute colors, patterns and designs. My fave J Crew has started making masks from leftover fabric. Their cute preppy masks available online (here and here). Today, Libby had me order her these really adorable masks from Baublebar here, here, here and here. Also, for a great mask review go check out my friend Helen Phillips super awesome blog post CUTE & COMFY MASKS I OWN on her blog STYLE INHERITED (she also has the cutest dog named Ranger).
- Avoid glaze over – Don’t let your eyes glaze over. When taking pictures in your mask make sure the camera is eye level and pick a focal point to look at away from the camera lens. If taking a selfie, don’t look directly into the camera, look over top of the phone or somewhere in the distance behind the camera and find a focal point. This way your eyes don’t glaze over.
- Laugh – Even if you have to force a fake one. Laugh. It is a crazy time and no matter how inconvenient, annoying and different everything is right now, we are all in the exact same boat. Plus laughing loosens up your whole body and will make your smask more genuine. If you can’t force a real laugh even forcing a fake laugh will loosen your face and make you appear more relaxed and smiley behind the mask.
- Tilt chin – Tilt your chin down slightly. When so much attention is on the upper half of our face, this will help make your eyes look bigger. Just don’t tilt too much…..you don’t want to give yourself a double chin!
- Eye squint – A genuine smile isn’t just about your mouth, a true genuine smile incorporates your eyes (especially when your eyes crinkle up a bit) , so get that crinkle down. Try to squint mostly from the bottom of your eye, by tightening your lower lid. I know, it seems weird but try it, it works. LOL!
- Face push – Move your face forward by projecting your neck (ex: if taking a pic, move face toward the camera). This will make your head more prominent than your body which will draw attention to your eyes. Are you getting the hint, they eyes are important for perfecting the smask. It’s more than a smize!
- Eye makeup – Don’t overdue it! Avoid really dark dramatic eyeshadow. We want the focus on those cute eye crinkles that is key to the smask. You don’t want the smask to come off as a glare.
- Lashes and brows – With masks covering the bottom half of our faces, it’s all about the eyes! Time to retire the lip kits (sorry Kylie, we don’t need a plump pout right now, it’s the eyes turn to shine). So invest in some good mascara and mascara primer . I use Smashbox eyelash primer (here) then Bare Minerals Lash Denomination mascara for a first coat (here) and Tarte Maneater for the second coat (here) . ALWAYS curl your lashes! Hands down the best eyelash curler I’ve ever owned (here). Lastly, invest in a good lash and brow growth serum for longer, thicker, darker lashes and brows (I’ve used both Latisse (here) and Lash Boost (here) and they BOTH work. Don’t believe me? Check out the difference in my own eyelashes 3 months makes using a growth serum.
Don’t hide behind the mask! Use these tips to express amusement, pleasure and approval without using the upward curve of your mouth! Smiles are contagious and still can be…even if they are behind the mask. You just need to follow these tips perfecting the smask!
SHOP THE POST
