to screw up one's face; to frown or wrinkle one's brow (usually used as 顔をしかめる).
彼は味を見て顔をしかめた。
He tasted it and made a face.
母は請求書の金額を見て眉をしかめた。
My mother frowned when she saw the bill amount.
痛みで彼女は一瞬顔をしかめたが、すぐに笑った。
She winced in pain for a moment, then smiled soon after.