Skin and Complexion

Complexion is the natural appearance and color of the skin, especially of the face.

For example, “Mary has a soft, creamy complexion.”

Wrinkled( covered with lines or loose folds of skin; often associated with age,)      Freckled( sprinkled or covered with light brown spots),     Ruddy( skin that has a reddish tint; may have the appearance of sunburn),   Sallow( skin that has a yellowish tint; may be associated with illness),       Tanned( skin with a warm, golden-brown tint),           Rosy or fresh-faced( pink-cheeked, fair complexion that glows with a hint of pink)

Other skin-related adjectives: pale, fair, spotless, silky, smooth, creamy, dewy(moist), baby-soft, peaches-and-cream, glowing, paper-thin or translucent (as with a very old person), sunburned, peeling, rough, callused(a tough area of skin), weathered, weatherbeaten, craggy(rugged and uneven, rocklike), leathery(texture and appearance of leather), mottled(discoloration), dry, brown, dark

Eyes

TIP: Pay attention to the eyes, as they often reveal much about a person.

Shape, size, and appearance: large, small, almond-shaped, round, squinty, hollow, crinkly(κατσαρός), bulging, heavy-lidded, hooded, deep-set, close-set,tear-filled

Eye color: black, brown, hazel, green, blue, violet, gray, amber

Eye expressions: piercing, mesmerizing, sad, sorrowful, haunted, gentle, sympathetic, warm, compassionate, expressive, bright, twinkling, lively, dancing, laughing, shifty, sly, distrusting, sleepy

Other: brown-eyed boy, bright-eyed sister, wide-eyed child, gold-flecked eyes(χρυσό στίγμα)

Mouth and Lips

Lip shape and size: thin, full, pouting(sulky, protruding lips), rosebud (baby’s lips, often), pursed (puckered up, as when concentrating)

Mouth expressions: laugh, smile, beam(έχω χαμόγελο μέχρι τα αυτιά), grin, frown, grimace(με γκρίματσα), scowl(βλοσυρός ύφος), sneer(χλεύη), curl, pout

Adjectives describing the mouth or mouth expressions: toothy, toothless, gap-toothed, kind, sweet, dimpled, relaxed, firm, serious, cruel, snarling

Hair

Hair color: black, brunette, brown, chestnut-brown, blond, honey-blond, golden-blond, ash-blond, fair, cornsilk, auburn, red, strawberry-blond, gray, silver, white, salt-and-pepper

Texture or appearance: wispy, fuzzy, wavy, curly, kinky, frizzy, wild, untamed, unmanageable, straight, spiky, stiff, buzzed, shaved, parted, neatly-combed, tamed, cascading, long, short, cropped, dull, shiny

Hair styles: braids, ponytail, pigtails, bun, messy bun, twist, bob, ringlets, flip, cornrows(ράστα), extensions, bangs, buzz, layered, feathered, chopped, gelled, spiked, slicked down

Lots of hair: thick, full, lustrous, bushy, coarse, wiry, stiff

Little hair: thin, scraggly, fine, baby-fine, downy, wispy, limp, flat, balding, bald, bald spot, receding (=gradual loss of hair at the front of the head)

Treated hair: permed, dyed, bleached, highlighted, weaved, streaked, colored

Facial Hair

Hair: beard, goatee, mustache, soul patch, sideburns

Beard growth: stubble, fuzz, peach fuzz, bristles, five o’clock shadow (describes new beard growth that’s shadowy in appearance. It’s usually more noticeable late in the day on the jaw, chin, or cheek area, but some men purposely grow five o’clock shadows.)

Adjectives: bearded, bushy, stubbly, bristly, scratchy, unshaven, shaggy, whiskered, beardless, clean-shaven, smooth, trimmed, neatly-trimmed, pencil-thin

Body 

TIP: Choose strong verbs and adjectives.

Build: small, slim, slight, thin, lean, willowy, skinny, angular, bony, fine-boned, chunky, chubby, large, portly, plump, round, stout, pudgy, full-figured, ample, broad-shouldered, burly, solid, muscular

Posture: stand, sit, slouch, flop, lean, recline, rest, stretch, sprawl, curl up, roost, squirm, arch, slump, stoop, bend, hunch, scoot, walk, run, race, jog

Clothing

Fabric: denim, twill, wool, cashmere, cotton, linen, seersucker, gingham, lace, chiffon, tulle, velvet, velveteen, fleece, flannel, tweed, polyester, jersey, corduroy, spandex, leather

Bottoms: jeans, skinny jeans, cargo pants, flat-front pants, pleated pants, slacks, trousers, overalls, sweatpants, crop pants, capris, skirt, shorts, board shorts

Tops: sport shirt, dress shirt, polo shirt, button-down shirt, tank top, blouse, tunic, long-sleeve, short-sleeve, sleeveless, collared, T-shirt, V-neck, scoop-neck, turtleneck, sweatshirt, hoodie, pullover, sweater, cardigan, sweater set

Other clothing: dress, gown, frock, uniform, coveralls, costume, pajamas, bathrobe, robe, vest, jacket, blazer, coat, apron

Footwear: socks, stockings, shoes, slippers, sandals, flip-flops, loafers, heels, pumps, boots, ankle boots, riding boots, slouch boots, athletic shoes, sneakers, tennis shoes, gym shoes, runners

Accessories: mittens, gloves, hat, cap, head wrap, bandana, scarf, muffler, necklace, choker, bracelet, ring, earrings, cuffs, cufflinks, purse, clutch, bag, tote, sunglasses, eyeglasses, glasses

Adjectives (appearance): stylish, natty, smart, chic, classy, elegant, polished, draped, flowing, sheer, casual, relaxed, carefree, starched, crisp, sharp, dressy, lacy, shiny, shimmering, sparkling, glittery, sloppy, torn, ripped, tattered, disheveled, slovenly, tacky, unkempt, faded, scratchy, worn, frayed, nubby, rough, smooth, pliable, warm, soft, quilted, knit

Adjectives (patterns): striped, solid, plaid, checked, floral print, geometric print

[Sentence Starters Describing Clothes (Encourage your students to write more maturely by using strong sentence openings.)

Smartly dressed in (name of garment), the woman …

Casually attired in (name of garment), Chloe …

Simply clad in (name of garment), Mark …

Uncle Max sported a (name of garment) …

Wearing a (name of garment), the detective …]