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The 6 Funny Look-Better Tricks Celebrities Use When They're Posing

Kick your #selfie game up a notch.

By Lauren Valenti

Apr 9, 2015

Hair, Face, Nose, Lip, Eye, Hairstyle, Skin, Eyelash, Chin, Eyebrow,

Getty Images

We don't know about you, but we're untagging far too many Instagram photos to feel totally confident in our candid-taking abilities. And considering that Hollywood stars are virtual masters, we're studying up on the super-sneaky ways they elongate their limbs, cinch their waists, and perfect their smiles faster than you can count to three.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 12: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 12, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The Skinny Arm

Particularly when she's having a princess-gown moment, Lawrence opts for the perennially-loved "skinny arm." By cocking her hips to one side, then placing her hand on the opposite hip, her single arm not only looks more toned, but helps cinch the waist.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen attend the Estee Lauder "Modern Muse" Fragrance Launch Party at the Guggenheim Museum on September 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Estee Lauder)

The "Prune" Face

You're one syllable away from the Olsens' signature smize. "Every time they pose and smile, they say the word 'prune'," a source told OK!. As evidenced by virtually every photo they've taken, the technique takes cheekbones to new heights.

The Leg Out

Angelina Jolie may have had her famous leg moment—but it's J. Lo who works the pose *all* the time. The singer knows she has legs for days and accentuates them by putting all her weight on one leg, then sticking out the other leg in pointed fashion to elongate and define.

The Over-the-Shoulder Look

For anyone who's been so bold as to try it, it's a tough one to master in blithely chic fashion—yes, even celebs have neck creases. Rihanna works the over-the-shoulder pose every time she wears a backless number by lifting the shoulder, curving her back, and lowering her chin ever-so-slightly.

The Leg Crossover

Taylor Swift knows the power of putting one foot in front of the other. She crosses one leg over the other to make her supermodel stems look even longer and narrow the hips.

The Tongue-Behind-the-Teeth Smile

Hollywood stars are apt to share their red carpet looks too. "An actress friend of mine shared a great trick," Chastain told InStyle. "She told me to stick my tongue behind my teeth when I smile to keep from over-smiling. If you smile without doing it, sometimes your gums show a little too much. It's an actor's trick!"

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Lauren Valenti Associate Web Editor I’m the associate web editor at Marie Claire.