Is "Squinching" the Celebrity Secret to Looking Perfect in Photos?
All signs point to yes.
![Lip, Cheek, Hairstyle, Skin, Chin, Forehead, Eyebrow, Eyelash, Beauty, Iris,](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iomtychPf38JcSXW7oUzHb-415-80.png)
Do candid photos even exist anymore? In an age when #flawless selfies are among the hottest of commodities, any technique that promises a photogenic upgrade—from classic posing hacks like the skinny arm or the Olsens-coined Prune face, to makeup tricks like blurring and extreme contouring—is going to garner interest.
The latest advancement in strategic, like-amassing picture taking is squinching, which is narrowing the eyes by tightening your lower eyelid and letting the top one drop down just a bit. This definition comes by way of portrait photographer and squinching pioneer Peter Hurley via Who What Wear, who recently decided to reexamine the trend, after its initial heyday in 2013, by having their editors test it out. Hurley believes that squinching is the easiest, most effective way to convey confidence and add definition to the face—almost like a more sultry alternative to smizing.
Hurley insists that it's a technique executed by supermodels and celebrities alike, and after scrolling through our Instagram feeds, we can't help but agree. Take Karlie Kloss for example, who at Tuesday night's Paper Towns premiere, showed off her propensity for a professional squinch.
Now, let us preface this by stating the obvious: Kloss is very blessed in the bone structure department, thus by nature has very defined features. This said, her more candid, wide-eyed expression doesn't quite convey her natural, killer confidence.
Striking a more calculated pose, Kloss squinches her eyes, which aids in further carving out her high cheekbones and defining her jawline. Overall, her look is more striking and really screams, "All eyes on me!" (But in the most subtle of ways, of course.)
For those fearful that squinching could result in wrinkles, as "squinting" is known to lead to and/or exacerbate crow's feet, fear not. When we asked dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., at Schweiger Dermatology Group, she explained that it's essentially a non-issue.
"Since it's an alternative to classic 'squinting', squinching seems to create less overall muscle contraction, and actually might spare you the etched in-lines that come from repetitive muscle movements like squinting," she explains. "The trend calls for partial muscle relaxation. So, if anything, you'll only form half the lines you would normally."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
We're going to look at this as glass half full.
Since squinching poses minimal threat to premature aging, and as seen above, clearly yields many benefits for nailing a frame-worthy picture, going forward we'll be squinching before we so much as say, "cheese!"
For further proof that it's all about the squinch, let Hurley walk you through the ins and outs, below:
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
This Valentino Perfume Is the Best Fragrance of 2024, According to Beauty Experts
It's a layerable, floral fragrance.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Is Colostrum the New Collagen?
Doctors and wellness professionals have a lot to say about TikTok's supplement of the moment.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
TikTok Is Making "Unsexy" Beauty Products Seem Very Appealing
There's more to worthwhile products than pretty packaging.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Fendi's First Fragrances Are Designed for Fashion Obsessives
It's finally available to shop.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Why Beauty Experts Are Calling Out Youthforia's New Foundation
This isn't the way to do inclusive shades.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
The 32 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2024, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published