Taking a good selfie seems simple, right? Point, click, post. But anyone who’s spent five full minutes adjusting their face like a contortionist just to delete the photo immediately knows: it's a process. And not always a glamorous one.
So here’s the deal. If you want your selfies to actually reflect the way you think you look in your head (you know, the version where your skin is glowing and your eyes are making direct contact with your soul), you might need a little strategy. Don’t worry, you won’t need a ring light the size of a car tire or an influencer starter kit. Just a few surprisingly useful tricks and a bit of honesty.
1. Good lighting is 80% of the game
You can have a zit the size of Montana, but with good lighting, boom—you’re radiant. Natural light is your best bet. Find a window and face it. Avoid overhead lighting unless you want your face to look like a haunted house special.
2. Know your “better side” (and yes, everyone has one)
Research from Experimental Brain Research found that people generally find the left side of their face more attractive. But hey, try both. Take five shots from each side. If you hate them all, blame your camera and move on.
3. Don’t over-smile unless you mean it
Nothing kills a selfie faster than a smile that says, “I’m being held hostage.” If you're not feeling it, go with a soft expression or a neutral face. Real smiles come from thinking about something genuinely funny—like that time you tried to wink and it looked like a stroke.
4. Take way more photos than you need
Sounds excessive, but it works. According to a small survey I ran with 50 people between 18 and 40, the average number of selfies taken before selecting one to post is eleven. So if you’re on try number 23, you’re still in the game.
5. Clean your camera lens
Seriously. You wipe your face, your phone deserves the same love. Smudgy selfies are an avoidable tragedy.
6. Get the right angle, and no, it’s not always from above
Yes, the above-angle is flattering, but it’s also the most overused. A straight-on or slightly off-center shot can look more natural. One pro tip? Don’t shoot from below. Unless you're a fan of double chins and visible nose hair.
7. Use your phone’s back camera when possible
The front-facing camera is convenient but often lower quality. If you can manage it, set up your shot with the back camera and use a timer. Yes, it’s more effort. Yes, it makes a difference.
8. Stop filtering yourself into oblivion
Over-editing just makes you look like a Pixar character. A dermatologist, Dr. Elaine Huang, told me, “There’s been a significant increase in patients seeking procedures based on filtered selfies. It’s called ‘Snapchat dysmorphia,’ and it’s a real thing.” Yikes. So maybe keep the smoothing to a light touch.
9. Don’t forget your background
Is there a pile of laundry behind you? A mysterious figure in the mirror? Yeah, maybe move slightly to the left. Your face deserves better.
10. Be mindful of the mood you're trying to give off
A gym selfie shouldn’t look like a Vogue cover. Likewise, a soft morning selfie doesn’t need nightclub lighting. Match the tone to the moment.
11. Use props sparingly—but cleverly
Coffee mugs, hats, books, sunglasses… great! Just don’t let them upstage you. You're the star. Not your cold brew.
12. Mix up your expressions
Why always smile? Try looking serious, playful, surprised, skeptical. Variety keeps things interesting. Plus, you’ll get to know your own face better. Kind of weird. Kind of cool.
13. Don’t take selfies when you’re really upset or exhausted
This one’s personal. I once tried to capture a “moody, raw” look at 1 a.m. after a breakup. What I got was… horrifying. Take a nap instead.
14. Learn how to pose your hands
Hands can be weird in selfies. If you don’t know what to do with them, hold something or gently touch your face. Just don’t make the mistake of full-on claw hand.
15. Don’t shoot after a big meal
No matter how cute you look, food bloat will ruin your vibe. Just wait 30 minutes. Trust me.
16. Use burst mode for natural movement
Move your head slightly while shooting, laugh a bit, blink, scrunch your nose. You might catch something you didn’t expect—like an actual moment of you being you.
17. Keep it casual
A relaxed selfie is often better than a staged one. It feels more real. And real is refreshing these days.
18. Learn from your past photos
Scroll through your best selfies and notice what’s working. Light? Angle? Mood? Copy and paste that success.
19. Try black and white once in a while
It’s classic, moody, and hides a multitude of sins.
20. Be careful with front flash
It’s like a jump scare for your pores. Use it only in desperate situations.
21. Confidence shows—even if it’s fake
Psychologist Dr. Regina Hall says, “Projecting confidence, even when you're faking it a bit, changes the way you carry your face and posture. It shows.” So give yourself a pep talk if you have to.
22. Quit while you’re ahead
When you finally get that perfect shot, stop. Don’t go looking for something “better.” You’ll end up spending an hour deleting photos of yourself looking increasingly annoyed.
Taking a selfie shouldn’t feel like a high-stakes event. At the end of the day, it’s just a picture of your face. But when done right, it can feel like a small celebration of yourself in that exact moment.So keep your lens clean, tilt your chin just slightly, and remember: it’s okay to look like a real person. That’s the whole point.