#Giant emoji projected onto Brooklyn Bridge to cheer up New Yorkers

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A Smiley face emoji is projected onto the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
Adam Gray/SWNS

These eye-catching images of a smiley face were projected on the East River Bikeway in New York City, to spread an uplifting message of positivity.

A smile – especially one which is 82 feet wide — can go a long way to cheering people up, particularly in these times when it is more important than ever.

The smiley stunt on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City follows on from last week when the same image was projected on the House of Commons in London, UK – to represent the bond between the two nations.

Research commissioned by Ciaté London found US adults smile 11 times a day, amounting to 243,309 over the course of their lifetime.

The research of 2,000 adults also found two-thirds of respondents use their facial expressions to reflect their mood.

As well as smiling, adults frown seven times a day and pout four times – amounting to 154,833 frowns over a lifetime and 88,476 pouts.

“The research proved how often people enjoy smiling and the difference it can make to both self-confidence and overall moods,” said Charlotte Knight, Founder and CEO of Ciaté London.

“Particularly at times like this it’s important to stay self-confident, emotionally aware and see the positives in everyday moments by sharing smiles.”

More than a third believe they have smiled more with age and 30 percent of the nation are most likely to keep their lips closed when doing so, while the same percentage will show teeth.

More than three in five of those polled have had their smile complimented on, despite 55 percent having felt conscious of theirs at some point.

It also emerged that in order to boost their confidence, 20 percent have worn makeup, 25 percent have changed their hairstyle and 15 percent have put on bright colored clothing.

Similarly, 31 percent of women said lipstick helps them feel more confident, while 35 percent feel the same way about mascara and 32 percent get a boost from wearing perfume.

Light pink lipstick was revealed as the most confidence-inducing shade, followed by red and nude.

More than a fifth couldn’t imagine leaving the house without wearing lipstick, while 23 percent wouldn’t do so without wearing foundation.

“What better way to celebrate the influence and revolutionary power that Smileys have had on our lives than dropping a new range of icons, created in partnership with the originators of the concept,” Charlotte Knight added.

“These new icons feature lashes and lipstick as part of our mood-boosting new beauty line with SmileyWorld, which is also landing in Sephora.”

The research revealed good news (52 percent), hearing a joke (40 percent) and being with family (41 percent) were the top things that trigger Americans to beam.

Further smile-inducing moments included getting a compliment from a stranger (36 percent), payday (30 percent) and eating a nice meal (32 percent).

In recent months during the pandemic, 49 percent believe it’s been important to find things to smile about in order to stay positive.

Similarly, 37 percent of those polled via OnePoll want to find more things to beam about following lockdown and a third vow to have more of a positive outlook in the future.

And 56 percent also said seeing someone else look happy improves their mood and in recent months 31 percent have made more of an effort to smile at others.