Facial Expressions

Below are some examples of the subtle facial shifts that reveal core emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness, confusion, and contempt.

See here how the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows work together to convey unspoken emotional messages.

Happiness

• Their eyes may show a slight crinkling or crow’s feet at the corners, indicating a genuine (Duchenne) smile.

• Their mouth often has upturned corners that may reveal teeth, reflecting joy and warmth.

Anger

• Their eyebrows are typically drawn down and together, creating a furrowed brow.

• Their eyes may appear intense or narrowed, sometimes fixed in a hard stare.

Sadness

• Their mouth may turn downward or quiver slightly, showing emotional vulnerability.

• Their eyes often look heavy or drooping, with a glazed or teary appearance.

Confusion

• One eyebrow may raise higher than the other, or both may be slightly pulled together.

• Their mouth may press into a line or shift sideways, suggesting uncertainty or hesitation.

Contempt

• One side of their mouth may lift into a smirk or sneer.

• The eyes might glance sideways with minimal direct contact, showing disdain or superiority.