Almost every client I meet worries about not knowing how to make sexy faces or what exactly “come hither looks” are. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This post will show you how to make bedroom eyes—what they are, how to master them, and why men find them irresistible.
Key Takeaways
- “Bedroom eyes” are a combination of subtle facial cues. It’s not just about the eyes—it’s about how expressive clusters of the eyes and mouth work together to sexy create body language.
- Confidence is communicated through the eyes. Slightly raising your lower eyelids towards your pupils (smizing) demonstrates confidence non-verbally.
- Silently mouthing vowel sounds like “A,” “E,” “I,” “O,” “U” helps create natural, sexy facial expressions.
Why Expression is Important
A great final image depends on strong expression. If you’re worried about not making sexy faces, you’re right—expression is what truly connects you with the viewer.
While body language plays a role, let’s focus on facial expressions so we don’t overwhelm you with too many details. Mastering this will elevate your photos and bring out your confidence.
Want to dive deeper into what makes a good boudoir photo? Check out this post which show how location. lighting, composition and technical settings all work in concert for exceptional boudoir photos.
Bedroom Eyes 101: The Art of Seductive Expression
Every body language book I’ve read stresses the importance of clusters—multiple cues working together to convey intent. No single facial expression tells the whole story; it’s the combination that creates a clear message.
For example, you can nail the perfect bedroom eyes, but if your lips don’t match, you might unintentionally project skepticism or irritation.
At first, expressing clusters of emotions on command can feel tricky. That’s where I come in. During your session, I provide real-time feedback to help you create expressive combinations that translate beautifully on camera. In boudoir, I guide clients to embody confidence, desire, dominance, or submission—whatever best fits their unique vibe.
How to Make Come Hither Looks With Your Eyes
We all know confidence is sexy, but most people don’t realize it’s primarily communicated through the eyes. Tyra Banks famously coined the term “smize” to describe how she’d make come hither looks. While catchy, the term can be misleading. A smize alone can come off as fierce—which isn’t necessarily bad—but when not balanced with other facial cues, it can sometimes look unapproachable or even bitchy.
That said, Tyra’s point is still crucial: confidence shines through your eyes. The simplest way to achieve come hither looks is by subtly raising your lower eyelids toward your pupils. Sound tricky? It’s not. Try it in front of a mirror. Most people do it naturally in daily interactions without even realizing it. The goal is to train yourself to do it intentionally.
When I teach this to clients, I always start by standing in front of a mirror with them and practicing together. Done right, it feels like applying a slight, controlled pressure to your eyes—almost like a hint of a squint, without actually squinting.
Practice until you can do it instinctively, even without a mirror. I’ve never photographed someone who couldn’t learn it, and most of my clients can do it on command in under five minutes.
Mastering Bedroom Eyes Without Looking Bitchy
Important note: a smize is not a squint.
The orbicularis oculi (the muscle around your eye) is circular, so you’ll always get some movement from your upper eyelid when engaging the lower one. However, the key to conveying confidence and interest—especially in photos—is making sure most of the movement comes from your lower lid, not the top. If you squint by lowering your upper lid too much, you’ll end up looking suspicious instead of engaged.
This small adjustment makes a big difference. It signals presence, engagement and approachability. It creates an instant connection, making the other person feel engaged and bonded with your photos.
Ironically even though Tyra Banks popularized the term “shmize,” she’s not the best person I’ve come across that explains how to make come hither looks. The best demonstration I’ve found for doing this technique comes from a headshot photographer who re-branded the “shmize” as a “squench.” You can check out this video here if you want to learn more about how to practice come hither looks before your session.
Using Vowel Sounds To Make Sexy Facial Expressions
Now that we know confidence comes from the eyes, let’s talk about how the mouth signals approachability. When we combine mouth and eye cues, we create a complete facial expression. Get the eyes right but miss with the mouth, and the result can come off as unapproachable—or even bitchy. Not exactly the goal.
A easy way to make sexy facial expressions is by silently mouthing vowel sounds. Each vowel forms the lips differently and can create a variety of alluring expressions without looking staged. For example, mouthing “O” naturally rounds your lips, softening the jaw and creating a parted, breathy look. “A” opens the mouth more, while “E” can lift the corners just enough to suggest for a subtle yet sexy smile.
These vowel shapes you’ll form with your mouth complete the sexy expression cluster when combined with the smize in your eyes. This combo makes your expression look authentic and effortless. I use this method during all of my sessions to help my clients nail sexy facial expressions for their boudoir photos.
Practice Your Come Hither Looks In The Mirror
That’s pretty much it for the basics of how to make come hither looks for your upcoming boudoir photo shoot. Basically if you master the smize and mouth vowels, you’ll be well on your way to expressing like a pro model. You can practice in front of the mirror before your session if you’d like, but if not that’s okay too. I’ll show you how to do this before your photo shoot so you’re not left wondering what to do in front of the camera.
If you found this post helpful, drop a comment below and share it! And if you’re ready to create stunning, connection-driven photos, contact me here and I’d be happy to capture photos for you like I show on this site.
FAQ: How To Look More Attractive In Photos
Looking great in photos isn’t about luck—it’s about knowing what actually works. These are the go-to tips I share with clients who ask me how to look confident, sexy, and genuinely themselves on camera.
How to Make a Seductive Facial Expression?
1. Smize With Your Eyes
Think of it as a soft, controlled squint. This gently raises your lower eyelids toward your pupils. But don’t overdo it—too much, and your upper lids drop too far, making you look tense or suspicious.
2. Mouth Vowels Silently
Silently say A–E–I–O–U. Each sound shapes your lips differently in a soft, natural way that adds approachability to your expression.
3. Combine Eye and Mouth Cues to Complete the Cluster
Let the eye and mouth cues work together. This creates an expressive cluster that reads authentic, looks seductive.
How To Look Hot in a Photo?
1. Book Key Beauty Appointments: Consider hair removal, tan line correction, haircut and color, brow shaping, nails, lash extensions, and teeth whitening. For a full checklist and when to schedule each appointment, check out my boudoir photo shoot prep guide here.
2. Pick Outfits That Flatter Your Shape: Choose lingerie styles that enhance your feminine curves minimize areas you feel less confident about.
3. Find Good Light: Choose an area like a north facing window, or hire a photographer that is skilled at guiding you into flattering light.
4. Make Come Hither Looks: Make sexy expression clusters by “smizing” and silently mouthing vowels at the same time.
5. Pose With Intention: Angle slightly away from the camera and shift weight to one foot. If it bends, bend it. This enhances curves and flow when posing women for boudoir photos.
6. Take Care of Yourself: Eat clean whole foods, drink water, lift weights, and sleep well. The healthier you are, the hotter you’ll look in your photos. For more details, this post is what I give to my clients to help them look hotter for their boudoir photo shoots.
How Can I Make My Face More Photogenic?
Practice smizing with your eyes while silently mouthing vowels in the mirror. Many people think you’re either born photogenic or your not, but this isn’t true. Looking photogenic just means appearing more confident and relaxed on camera. The more you practice these skills, the easier it will be to make attractive facial expressions on command.
