Facial expressions can explain a lot about what’s going on in one’s mind. As humans, we are able to express our emotions through our words as well as actions. Our body language sometimes becomes a dead giveaway to the real emotions we are going through in our mind. Our eyes, the slight tremor of our lips, the crumpling nose, etc., all express our hidden emotions unconsciously.
One can read one’s emotional state by understanding the expressions on his/her face. Even as kids, when our teacher used to give us a stern look, it was enough for us to pull up our socks and behave. Our face is the mirror to our emotional soul. A few people have very expressive faces that conveys everything about their mental state.
Did You Know?
Humans are capable of exhibiting 10,000 unique facial expressions. How cool is that?!
List of Facial Expressions
Indications : Eyebrows squeezed together to form a crease, eyelids are tight and straight, slightly lowered head, eyes look upwards through a lowered brow, tightening of facial muscles, tight lips, flaring nostrils, and an intense gaze.
Indications : Half-open eyelids, raised eyebrows, frowning lips, relaxed muscles, vacant gaze, immobile face, and head propped up with hand.
Indications : Fixed eyes, reduced blinking, unconscious movement of tongue, slightly raised eyebrows, and head either erect or pushed forward.
Indications : Nose and forehead scrunched up, one eyebrow raised higher than the other, and pursed lips.
Indications : Neutral eyes with one side of the lip turned up and pulled back (almost like a half-smile).
Indications : Raised upper eyelid and lower lip, wrinkled nose, raised cheeks, flared nostrils, and closed mouth.
Indications : Open-mouthed smile, wide eyes, and raised eyebrows.
Indications : Eyebrows are raised and drawn together, wrinkled forehead, raised upper eyelid, tensed lower eyelid, whites of the eyes are visible, gaping mouth, and tensed lips.
Indications : Fixed and intense eyes, biting lips, tilted head, slight smile, and one eyebrow raised higher than the other.
Indications : Inward slanting eyebrows that are squeezed together, raised chin, lips pressed together, frowning, and mouth twisted to one side with a crease on the cheek.
Indications : Tensed eyebrows, squinted eyes, and intense gaze.
Indications : Lips pulled back in a frown, lowering of chin, tense lips, eyebrows tense and drawn together, wrinkled forehead, and head pulled back.
Indications : Tensed eyebrows, squinted eyes, intense gaze, exposed teeth, and lips pulled back.
Indications : Widened eyes, gaping mouth, raised eyebrows, lowered chin, and head held back.
Indications : Wide eyes, open mouth, intense gaze, and eyebrows are raised and drawn together.
Indications : Inner corners of the eyebrows are drawn in and upwards, frowning of lips, jaw protrusion, pouting of lower lip, and eyes cast down.
Indications : Smiling, teeth may or may not be exposed, raised cheeks, crow’s feet or wrinkles near corners of the eyes, and crescent shape of eyes.
Indications : Half-open eyelids, slightly raised eyebrows, and relaxed muscles.
Reading Expressions on One’s Face
Face reading is an art. If you are good at reading facial expressions, even a slight change that lasts for a fraction of a second won’t go unnoticed. There are different types of expressions that include almost all facial features. When trying to read a facial expression, it is important that you understand the types of expressions first. Only then can you differentiate between slightly similar expressions like surprise and shock.
~ When reading faces, the first thing to notice is the eyes. They say, the eyes are the windows to the soul. Eyes can tell you a lot about what a person is thinking, feeling, or trying to express. The rate of blinking will also tell you a lot about their state of mind. When a person is shocked, he may forget to blink for a few moments. A girl trying to seduce a boy may blink her eyes quite a few times in a seductive way.
~ Next, observe the mouth of the person. If the person is smiling, it may indicate that he is thinking or feeling happy, content, or satisfied. A slight twitch of the upper lip may indicate aggressiveness, anger, or disgust. You can easily notice when someone is frowning upon something. If you catch a person lying, you may notice a slight twitch in the corner of the mouth. The person may also refuse or avoid eye contact, if he/she is trying to hide something.
~ Sometimes, a person may hide their negative emotions behind the mask of a smiling face. However, you can notice the person is annoyed by looking at the pupils, slightly frowning brows, and the slight grinding of teeth.
~ A gloomy expression can be easily understood if the person has teary eyes, a drooping mouth, and is taking long, sad sighs. A person who is worried may have his brows pulled together and may have a thoughtful look.
~ A wrinkled forehead with tense, angry eyes, indicates an angry person.
Along with the facial expressions, you also need to keep in mind the overall body language of the person. Observe and learn, as this is the key for reading expressions. The following facial expressions will introduce you to the various human emotions you come across in your daily life.
By observing a person, you can uncover what is going on in their mind. Understanding facial expressions will help you build stronger relations. This is because you will be reading expressions and understanding the unsaid needs of your partner, friends, or family.
