Body Language of The Face Frame
Cue: Face Frame
Synonym(s): Make-up, Moving Hands Around The Face.
Description: An active or subconscious gesture used to draw the attention of others toward the face. It might be done with make-up, moving the hands around the face, pointing toward the face, drawing a pen from a piece of paper up to the eyes and so forth.
In One Sentence: The face frame is way to draw the attention of others to our face.
How To Use it: Use the face frame when you want other’s to notice you for your outer appearance. Women should frame their faces in a dating context or when they wish to be seen as friendly or docile and therefore in need of care and protection. The effect is pronounced in women with scarves and make-up and work well in a dating context. Men can frame their faces, as can women, by bringing pens and papers to the sides of their faces such as while presenting in business. This is helpful in creating a more human element in a presentation and serves to make our faces more memorable.
Context: a) General b) Dating.
Verbal Translation: “I’m drawing attention toward my face because I want you to notice it.”
Variant: Face Platter.
Cue In Action: a) The rock star put on white face paint and heavy dark make-up around his eyes, so people would notice him. b) She took the time to reapply her make up before coming home from work so she looked refreshed for her husband.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Just like women wear low cut shirts that draw attention to their breasts, women can use various means to draw attention to their face – if they want others to notice. Many women wear make-up, sometimes heavy make-up for this reason.
Heavy or bright lipstick is designed to emphasis the lips for example. When women take part in dance or sing on stage, they will usually wear plenty of make-up and large false eyelashes in order to showcase their faces to a large and distant audience. The make-up is meant to overcome the deficit that distance plays.
Women who are less attractive will also tend to wear additional make-up. Make-up that
is odd or unique is also aimed at drawing attention and to stand out from other people.
Moving the pen or index finger around the face is another way to draw attention up toward the face as the eyes tend to follow the path of moving objects.
Cue Cluster: N/A
Body Language Category: Adornments.
Resources:
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