How to squinch, teeg and smize: The art of selfie posing put to the test

One beauty writer has road-tested 2013's most popular poses
Squinching is the latest pose to be touted as the most flattering
Model Tyra Banks made 'smizing' an art form

PUBLISHED: 12:29 EST, 27 November 2013 | UPDATED: 14:16 EST, 27 November 2013

There's no escaping the Instagram selfie trend, so isn't it about time you perfected your photo face?

Since model Tyra Banks first coined the term 'smizing' a bevvy of popular poses have been infiltrating our social networking sites, including 'pruning', 'teeging' and most recently the 'squinch' by photographer Peter Hurley.

But how do you decide which one to choose? Fear not, one intrepid beauty writer is here to help.

Angelica Hermon from style site neverunderdressed.com has road-tested the (supposedly) most flattering poses to see which ones really work....

1. Squinching

What's involved? Lifting and tightening the lower eyelid and only allowing the top eyelid to come down slightly.

Verdict? 'Perhaps I didn’t get it quite right because I think I look like I’ve had seven and a half Aperol Spritzs too many.

'I teamed it with a grin here, which probably doesn’t help the drunken look, but without a smile it would no doubt look more serious and therefore more cool. I need to practice.'

Squinching: Angelica Hermon of Never Underdressed tests out the latest pose, whereby you lift and tighten the lower eyelid and only allow the top eyelid to come down slightly

The smize: Tyra Banks made it famous and it is a pose which involves smiling with your eyes - easier said than done

Beauty journalist Angelica Hermon of NeverUnderdressed.com has tested out the most popular picture poses including squinching (l) and smizing (r)

2. Smizing

What's involved? Smiling with your eyes in the style of Tyra Banks on America's Next Top Model.

Verdict? 'It’s actually pretty hard to smile with your eyes. Whilst also trying not to smile with your mouth. I felt like I was trying to freeze myself with a peculiar look on my face as if playing Grandmother’s Footsteps. I’ve realised that Tyra’s heavy layer of smoky eye make-up gets her half way to the smize.'

3. Pruning

What's involved? Copying the Olsen sisters to project a sultry almost serious look with your mouth.

Verdict?: 'This felt like the most posey of the lot and least like what I’d naturally do with my expression if a camera was thrust in my face. To me, it looks like I’ve had a dodgy filler/collagen job done around my mouth. Or have really bad mouth ulcers.

'But on those Olsen twins, it looks utterly fabulous. As poses go, it’s far better than the 90s pout (see Posh Spice) and thoroughly easy to do on demand.'

Pruning: Angelica attempts to give the Olsens a run for her money with her sultry mouth pose

Teeging: Lily Allen loves this pose, which involves sticking your tongue out slightly

Angelica attempts to give the Olsens a run for her money with her pruning pose (l) and teegs like Lily Allen (r)

4. Teeging

What's involved? Bear your front teeth and press your tongue closely behind them with it slightly on show (this is Lily Allen's favourite pose).

Verdict? 'Though Lily nails this look every time, I don’t think my version looks anywhere near as good. It reminds me of my 3 year old niece who has a distinct lisp and whose tongue seems to permanently hang out of her mouth like a Labrador puppy. I think I’ll leave this one to Lily.'

5. LOLing

What's involved? Let loose, giggle, chuckle, ROFL and then freeze.

Verdict: 'This felt natural and easy and although it was completely phoney, I think I fooled the camera well. It felt the most normal of them all. I thought back to Saturday night when my best friend slipped across the dance floor (ending up in a near-splits stance), let out a loud belly laugh and hey presto, there it is.'

LOLing: This pose involves laughing out loud and freezing before the flash goes off

HOW TO SQUINCH WITH STYLE BY THE INVENTOR OF NEW SELFIE POSE

Portraitist Peter Hurley claims the squinch is the act of squinting your eyes in such a way as to ooze confidence and self-assuredness.

He believes that this will make you look far more attractive than staring wide-eyed into the camera, which portrays fear and uncertainty.

Firstly, Hurley emphasises that squinching isn’t the same as squinting and while the difference may be minor, it is vital.

When you squint, your top and bottom eyelids close, which, Hurley believes makes you look far from confident.

Does it really work? Photographer Peter Hurley thinks that 'squinching' (R) makes you look more photogenic

Does it really work? Portraitist Peter Hurley thinks that 'squinching' (R) makes you look more photogenic

When you ‘squinch,’ however, you’re lifting and tightening the lower eyelid and only allowing the top eyelid to come down slightly.

He says: 'If you're a photographer out there, make your people squinch. And if you're a human being who just wants to look hot, this is going to do it for you.

'Want to know why? Because confidence comes from the eyes.'

Read more of the latest beauty tips from the editors at fashion and beauty magazine Never Underdressed here