N
Global Pulse News

6 Facial Expressions That Mean Someone Is Attracted to You, Therapists Say

Author

Ava White

Updated on February 22, 2026

Date Going Well
Mixmike/iStock

Sure, someone telling you that you're attractive is nice to hear. But sometimes they don't need to say a word: If you know where to look, their face could be telling the whole story. Of course, picking up on these subtleties to find out if they're into you requires some training. That's why we consulted experts to discover the six facial expressions that mean someone is attracted to you. Read on to learn what you should be looking for.

RELATED: 5 Questions That Mean Someone Is Attracted to You.

1 Genuine smile

happy couple smiling on a date
Shutterstock

Experts agree that the first and most obvious facial expression to look for is a big, genuine smile.

"A person can't help but smile when they're with someone they like and feel drawn to," explains Amber Brooks, editor-in-chief of DatingAdvice.com. You'll know it's a real smile if it lights up their face and reaches their eyes.

Laura Doyle, relationship coach and New York Times bestselling author, adds that someone may default to a smile to show their attraction when they're too nervous to say it.

2 Eye contact

man and woman on a first date asking each other truth or drink questions
Kateryna Onyshchuk/Shutterstock

"The eyes give a lot away," notes relationship coach and therapist Susan Trotter, PhD. She says prolonged eye contact is a significant sign of attraction, as is them peeking at you quickly, smiling, and then looking away.

Brooks says it's important to note whether the person's eyes tend to wander away from you, even as you're speaking, or are laser-focused on your face, eyes, or lips. "Pay attention to whenever a person is 'making eyes' at you, and give strong eye contact in return to lock in the interest," she suggests.

RELATED: The Top 5 Signs You Found the Love of Your Life, According to Relationship Experts.

3 Eyebrow movements

Woman Raising Her Eyebrow
HbrH/iStock

A raised brow could be a major sign of attraction. "Quick or subtle, the raising of eyebrows becomes the signature of surprise, excitement, and the unspoken acknowledgment of encountering someone undeniably attractive," explains Rachel Sims, LPC,  relationship, dating, and marriage expert at Seeking.com.

Sims also points out that animated movement of the brows during conversation signals engagement and emotional responsiveness.

4 Lip biting

Man Pursing His Lips
Kosijerphotography/iStock

Lip biting is a sure sign of attraction and desire. "If a person bites their lip and smiles when they look at you, they're most certainly feeling some lovey-dovey butterflies," says Brooks.

Sims adds that subtly touching one's lips is also a cue. And when someone parts their lips, presses them together, or looks at yours, it could be in anticipation of a kiss.

RELATED: The Best Colors to Attract Love, According to an Astrologer.

5 Dilated pupils

Man and Woman Making Close Eye Contact
mihailomilovanovic/iStock

Like the raised eyebrow, dilated pupils can also signal excitement and attraction. "In the language of the eyes, dilated pupils emerge as a physiological response, a silent symphony of heightened arousal and the magnetic pull of attraction," says Sims.

"When someone winks at you, it is often a good sign as well," adds Trotter.

6 Gentle head tilt

Happy cheerful caucasian middle-aged couple spouses drinking coffee talking enjoying romantic date together in cafe restaurant bar
Shutterstock/Inside Creative House

Tilting the head to the side not only signals attraction but also implies that they're engaged in what you're saying.

"The soft tilt of the head becomes a silent declaration of interest and openness, inviting the other person into a world where attraction takes center stage," says Sims.

For more dating advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Courtney Shapiro Courtney Shapiro is an Associate Editor at Best Life. Before joining the Best Life team, she had editorial internships with BizBash and Anton Media Group.Read moreFiled UnderRead This Next
  • Young man and African American woman sitting in cafeteria drinking coffee flirting

    3 Giveaways That Someone's Attracted to You

    Read these signs to find out if the feeling is mutual.November 2, 2023
  • woman concerned husband is lying

    Facial Expressions That Mean Someone Is Lying

    Keep an eye out for these to determine if someone is trying to evade the truth.October 18, 2022
  • Man and Woman Flirting at Cafe

    How to Flirt Using Just Your Body Language

    Send the right message with these flirty moves.December 1, 2023
  • A couple sweetly holding hands in bed.

    Body Language Signs Your Partner's in the Mood

    Not sure whether to make a move? Look for these subtle clues from your partner.December 4, 2022
  • Body Language Signs That Mean Someone Is Lying

    Experts advise looking out for these suspicious non-verbal cues.January 5, 2023
  • Young couple on vacation, walking through the city and having fun together.

    Doing This Is the Key to Successful Flirting

    This technique has been proven to work in igniting a new flame.July 26, 2022
  • Unhappy young couple fighting on couch

    How Therapist Knows a Relationship Won't Last

    This one issue can breed so much resentment that it's often hard to come back from.December 8, 2023
  • bored young couple watching TV on sofa at home, focus on man using smartphone in foreground

    How to Solve Relationship Boredom

    It doesn't mean you've fallen out of love. Here are 5 tips to reignite the spark.December 2, 2023
  • confused woman looking at partner

    How to Spot "Beige Flags"in Your Relationship

    Experts weigh in on how they differ from red, yellow, and green flags.October 30, 2023
  • man and woman cuddling in bed

    What Your Sleeping Position Means

    Your sleeping position is sending subtle cues—here's what they mean.October 22, 2023