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Why couples start looking alike over time

By Musa Adekunle

10 February 2025   |   1:03 pm

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Love is not just about being together; it can actually make two people look alike. Many couples who have been together for a long time start to resemble each other, and scientists have come up with several reasons to explain this. At first, it might seem strange. After all, people don’t choose their partners based…

Love is not just about being together; it can actually make two people look alike.

Many couples who have been together for a long time start to resemble each other, and scientists have come up with several reasons to explain this.

At first, it might seem strange. After all, people don’t choose their partners based on appearance alone. But as couples spend more time together, they begin to adopt the same habits, facial expressions, and even some physical features.

This doesn’t happen to everyone, but in many relationships, it occurs naturally. So why do couples start looking alike?

1. They copy each other’s facial expressions
One major reason couples start to resemble each other is that they unconsciously mimic each other’s facial expressions.

When your partner laughs, you laugh. When they frown, you frown. Over time, these repeated expressions can lead to similar wrinkles, facial lines, and muscle movement, making couples look alike.

Scientists call this emotional mirroring. It’s a sign of a deep emotional connection. The closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to adopt their expressions.

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2. They have similar eating habits
The kind of food people eat affects their body shape, skin, and overall appearance.

Couples tend to influence each other’s eating habits. Whether it’s healthy meals or fast food, they often end up eating similar diets, which can lead to similar physical changes.

If they both eat nutritious meals, they may develop glowing skin and fit bodies. But if they frequently eat junk food, they might gain weight together or develop similar body shapes.

3. They share the same lifestyle
When two people live together for years, they experience the same weather, stress, and daily routines.

If they go through stressful situations, it may show on both their faces in the form of wrinkles or tired eyes. If they live a relaxed life, they might both maintain a youthful look.

Simply put, life shapes people, and when two people share the same experiences, they tend to be shaped in similar ways.

4. Their personalities influence their appearance
Personality plays a huge role in how someone looks.

People who smile a lot often have bright, lively expressions, while those who are serious or moody may develop a more intense or calm look.

Over time, couples influence each other’s personalities. A cheerful partner can make the other smile more, while a quiet person might encourage a calmer expression. These personality-driven expressions gradually shape their faces, making them look alike.

5. They copy each other’s fashion style
Couples don’t just influence each other’s looks through emotions and habits—they also pick up on each other’s style.
From similar hairstyles to matching outfits, many couples unknowingly adopt each other’s fashion choices. Some even wear the same type of glasses, accessories, or shoes, making them look even more alike.

This is even more common for couples who have lived together for many years, as they naturally start to like the same things and dress alike.

While not all couples end up looking alike, science has shown that love has the power to shape people’s appearance.
From facial expressions to diet, lifestyle, personality, and fashion choices, couples influence each other in ways they don’t even realise.

So, if someone tells you that you and your partner are starting to look alike, just know it’s not magic. It’s love at work.