There is one primary reason the "as though if..." is used (quite a lot by myself too): TimingUnless one has those eyebrow raising emotes quickslotted, it's sometimes not possible to do it in a timely fashion, which just makes them "huh?" as they are sent when the conversation already has by far proceeded.Adding the "as..." is to clarify that one's character did it "at that time" and not "now... later".
"raises an eyebrow as if to say that he is not happy with you because you did x" cut the emote back to "raises an eyebrow angrily"
But... *she smiles brightly as she steps through the door to the candy store, looking around with eyes wide open as though she had not seen candy for ages* tends to be even more interesting in my opinion! While one could of course have cut it down, leaving the "as though she had not seen candy for ages" out to be left for rolls, I personally find the "unnecessary rolls" a little bit flow breaking.
I generally try to aim it so it becomes descriptive in a way that I think most others would think how it was!Like... the candy store emote... If someone answered to that: *He laughs heartily when watching her.* Do you want me to buy you some of it?The answer from that could as well be: *She glances back at him with a puzzled expression.* Buy... what...? Oh!! *She laughs a laugh mirroring his own laugh.* That's great! I collect price tags! *With her fingers drumming on her forehead, she murmurs.* Although... I'm not sure you can buy the price tags themselves...
I know that's not your intention.