She may smile for the camera, but it will turn to a frown the moment you show her the picture you've taken.

Half of women are so critical of their appearance that they 'hate' looking at photographs of themselves, a study has found.

And three-quarters are self-conscious enough to try to avoid appearing in snaps altogether.

When they do brave the camera lens, women's most common complaint is that they don't like their smile.

A third grumble that their teeth aren't white enough and a quarter worry that they're wonky.

A total of 14 percent moan about the 'smile lines' on their faces.

Even once the smile is out of the picture, they are likely to lament having their eyes closed or feeling embarrassed by their outfit.

Many women fear the pictures will attract catty comments if they appear on social networking websites such as Facebook.

And even on what is supposed to be the happiest day of their lives, 36 percent of brides feel anxious about being the focus of so much photographic attention.

But despite the fairer sex’s insecurities, men said the first thing that attracted them to a woman was her smile, according to the survey by Macleans toothpaste.

Celebrity photographer Daniel Kennedy, who has shot stars including Angelina Jolie and Thandie Newton, advised self-conscious women: ‘Try to enjoy yourself. A natural smile that goes through to the eyes is far more attractive than a fake one.

‘Keep your chin down and look up through your eyelashes for a face-slimming look that enhances your cheekbones.’

(Read by Nelly Min. Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)