Best Smile in the World

"A smile is the best makeup a girl can wear."
- Marilyn Monroe

Not just girls. For that matter, a smile is the best makeup any person could wear. Since childhood, we are taught to start our day with a smile on our faces. A smile can brighten up your dull day. Aaliah Dhorat, a writer from West Yorkshire, has described a smile as infectious and compared it to a virus that can spread from one person to the other. 'Someone smiled at me today, and so I started smiling too'. It is almost like flu. But, good flu, that should outspread more often.

Did you ever come across the fact that smiling can trigger the brain's reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a highly-regarded pleasure-giver, cannot compete with? Another intriguing fact is that a recent study found that smiling can be just as stimulating as receiving around 16,000 pounds Sterling in cash. Hence it is possible that those who smile around every day for 62 minutes are likely to feel like millionaires!

Smiling is a natural phenomenon that you don't have to learn. Humans are pre-programmed to smile when they feel pleasant. Evidence for this is that the people who are blind from birth, who have never really seen a smile, in reality, tend to give the same smiling response as someone with perfectly healthy eyesight would give. Isn't it surprising that we all have this precious God-given gift of Smiling that can make us feel good any time of the day, yet the world is witnessing an increase in mental health issues like anxiety and depression? Let's save this thought for another time.

Talking about smiles, it can be a genuine and spontaneous reaction or a well-thought-of, conscious, and intentional response to something. Whichever one it is, it always proves beneficial for the health of the body. Here are a few reasons that will definitely motivate you to smile more often-

1. Smiling Helps You Live Longer

Yes! It's true. A study conducted in 2010 showed that genuine, passionate smiling is linked to a longer and healthier life. Smiling can help you enhance your longevity. Happier people are said to enjoy longer life spans and better health; however, it is necessary to discover why that's the case.

2. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can be a part of our body and manifest in our appearance. Smiles can help us avoid looking exhausted, worn out and stressed. It can actually lessen stress through the release of endorphins.

3. Smiling Elevates Mood

If you're feeling down, you can try to put on a smile. The smile actually triggers neural pathways in your brain that affect your mood. This means that by wearing a happy smile, you will "trick" your mind into being in a state of joy. No matter if you actually don't feel like smiling. By smiling, it's likely that your mood will shift for the better, even if you were a little upset.

Smiles can improve your neural communication. This they do by stimulating an increase in neuropeptides. They also help in the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which boost your mood. Consider smiling as an antidepressant that is natural.

4. Smiles increase Your Immune System.

Smiles stimulate releases of neurotransmitters which decrease stress levels and trigger feelings of happiness, assisting your immune system to work at its best fighting infections and antigens. Smiling can also increase the number of antibodies and natural killer cells that helps boost the immune system.

5. Smiling Reduces Pain

Smiles are a natural painkiller. Research has shown that smiling triggers endorphins which act to relieve pain, and serotonin, which helps in the stabilization of mood. These brain chemicals make us feel great. They do not just boost the mood; they also ease the body and decrease physical discomfort. It is a natural way to relax.

6. Smiling Makes You Attractive

We naturally gravitate towards those who smile. In contrast, more severe facial expressions, such as frowns, scowls and contrary grimaces, are effective in disorienting people. Whereas Smiles are perceived as attractive. People may even think you possess positive traits when you're smiling, similar to the Halo effect.

Smiles can not only make you appear more attractive; they can help you appear younger. The muscles we use when we smile can elevate the appearance of the face, which makes one appear younger. Therefore, instead of opting for facelifts, smile throughout your day. You'll appear more youthful as well feel healthier.

When we talk about smiles, how can we not mention Mona Lisa, who is believed to have had the most mysterious, ambiguous, yet very beautiful smile. While Mona Lisa was Da Vinci's imagination, some people are 100 per cent living and alive and have the prettiest of smiles. Let's have a look at them-

1. Julia Roberts

There is no doubt about the fact that this gorgeous woman, 57, is the Queen of Hollywood Smiles. Her starring in the movie Mona Lisa Smile (2003) seems to explain the beauty of her smile. This Pretty Woman has also been seen in movies like Notting Hill (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), Wonder (2017), Eat Pray Love (2010), among others. She ruled over Hollywood in the 1990's and half of 2000's, and during these times, she was also the highest-paid actress in the world. People's Magazine has honoured her with the title "The most beautiful woman in the world" 5 times, which is a record. Her net worth, as of 2022, is 170 million USD. Whenever you think of Julia Roberts, you cannot help but imagine her stunning smile along with her exceptional performances.

2. Anahita Hashemzadeh

The adorable little young girl hailing from Iran is only six years old. Her radiant smile, which is a hit all over social media, has procured the attention of millions of people from across the world. She was born on 10th January 2016, and as of now, she has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, which is managed by her mother. Since her pictures went viral on social media, she has won the hearts of many people around the globe. The photos are captured by professional photographers, and she is a model for babies as her Instagram bio states.

3. Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone along with being one of the most beautiful actresses in Bollywood is also the Smile Queen of Bollywood. According to a brand's dental survey, Deepika Padukone won the 'World's Best Smile' title by gaining the most votes against several other names that were shortlisted. It's not only the survey, but every single photo of hers shows how beautiful and radiant her smile is. The dimples in her smile are like icing on the cake. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in India, and some of her celebrated works include Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018), Ye Jawani Hai Deewani (2013), Piku (2015), and Cocktail (2012), among others.

4. Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams, 43, is a Canadian actress who enthralled the world with her performance in The Notebook (2004). However, she has been performing since her teenage. She made her debut with The Hot Chick in 2002, and since then, McAdams has also been seen in The Family Stone (2005), Midnight in Paris (2012), Aloha (2015) with Bradley Cooper and Southpaw (2015) with Jake Gyllenhaal. She has won numerous awards and accolades. When McAdams shows off her gorgeous smile, it's hard not to keep in love with her every time.

5. Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper, 47, has been wooing women with his charming smile for many years and has been regularly shining brightly on the silver screen with his charisma. Some of the most popular films comprise War Dogs (2016), Aloha (2015), A star is born, American Sniper (2014), and The Hangover (2009), which has got to be our favourite. He was labelled "Sexiest Man Alive" by People's Magazine in 2011. When he's not performing as a superhero, the actor can't resist impressing people with his gorgeous smile. He has a 100 million USD of net worth as of 2022.

6. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson not only attracted people with his dance moves but also with his smile. He has been receiving compliments on his smile since he was a little child, and he does have the most radiant smile one could ever have. His smile can conceal all the sorrow and brighten any circumstance. The world owes him for his contribution to the areas of music, dance and fashion. He named and popularised the complicated dance move called "Moonwalk". His popular albums include Dangerous, Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Going to be there. Jackson has global recognition for being one of the biggest selling music artists in the entire history and selling over 400 million records.

7. Madhuri Dixit

The 'Dhak Dhak' girl of Bollywood, who's also a great dancer, and has made everyone dance with her, and charmed everyone with her alluring expressions, also happens to have a gorgeous smile. She entered Bollywood at a young age but rose to fame with the action romantic Tezaab (1988) and then gave a number of superhits, including Dil (1990), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), Dil toh pagal hai (1997), Raja (1995), Khalnayak (1993), Ram Lakhan (1989) among others. She became a proud recipient of Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2008, and she has won six times for the Filmfare awards.

8. Tom Cruise

Thomas Cruise Mapother IV or well-known by his short name, Tom Cruise, is an American actor and producer. Born on 3rd July 1962, he is one of the highest-paid actors in the entire world, with a net worth of 600 million USD, as of 2022. Some of his superhits include Edge of Tomorrow, Mission: Impossible, The Mummy, Oblivion, and Jerry Maguire, among others. He has received numerous awards during the span of his career, including three Golden Globe Awards and has been nominated thrice for the Academy Awards.

9. Madhubala

She is regarded as one of the most beautiful women to have ever lived in the entire world. Born on 14th February 1933, her full name is Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi. She was one of the highest-paid actresses in the post-independence era in India. The two dramas for which she earned immense success were Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954). She appeared in movies like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Tarana (1951), Badal (1951) and in the highest-grossing film of that time, Mughal-E-Azam (1960). She will always be remembered for her extraordinary performance as Anarkali in this historical epic drama. Unfortunately, she died a pre-mature death after succumbing to Hemoptysis in 1969.

10. Aishwarya Rai

She was 'Miss World 1994' but continues to rule millions of hearts to this date. The media has termed her "the most beautiful woman in the world" on more than one occasion. Aishwarya Rai has been worshipped throughout her career for her green eyes, beautiful smile, dazzling skin and her poise. She has worked in movies like Guru (2007), Mohabbatein (2007), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2017), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), and has won Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her marvellous performances in Devdas (2002) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). She was honoured with Padma Shri by the Government of India (2009) and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France (2012). She was also the first Indian Actress to become a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in the year 2003. She is indeed one of the precious gems of the Indian Film Industry.

11. Anne Hathaway

Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress who has received various awards and accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. The year 2015 was her year, as she was among the highest-paid actresses in the entire world. Her heart-warmingly beautiful smile can brighten up anyone's day. She made her silver screen debut with The Princess Diaries (2001) and has worked in various films and TV shows since then, including Love & Other Drugs (2010), Interstellar (2014), Ocean's 8 (2018), The Intern (2015) among others. She is a timeless beauty who doesn't seem to age at all.

Conclusion

This was a short list of some of the most beautiful smiles in the world. There are surely more. In fact, every smile is delightful in its own way. Every smile has its own beauty. Let's appreciate these beautiful smiles by smiling more and making others smile. As mentioned in the beginning, smiling is like a flue which can prove to be infectious. Let this become a pandemic. Unlike COVID-19, which brought with it an enormous amount of destruction and life loss, this one will surely change the world for good. A smile is able to break across all obstacles. It is unaffected by prejudice. No matter what your background is, what your geographical surroundings are or what your culture is, your smile will be admired. A smile is symbolic of something greater. It emblematizes love, goodwill and the willingness to share. It is a simple way to express happiness and love. It connects and embraces everyone.