Physical Flaws/Quirks to Give Characters
Overgrown or over-tweezed eyebrows
Chapped lips
Crooked teeth
Receding chin or a weak jawline
Roots that haven’t been touched up/dyed
Teeth that are unique and imperfect… Perhaps they pan out far inward or outward. Maybe they’re small or large or have gaps. Maybe they’re yellow! Yellow teeth are natural and not necessarily an indicator of poor hygiene–normalize giving good characters yellow teeth instead of just villains or shady characters
Pimples or skin bumps. Maybe they aren’t very red or distinct but still there. Pimples on the chin, sides of face, forehead, etc.
Short or straight or blonde eyelashes on women (considered “undesirable”, long and dark lashes are desired)
Purple eyebags
Reddish eyes from sleep deprivation
Eyewear: give more characters glasses or contacts and don’t make it a huge deal that they have them
Thin lips. Skin-colored lips.
Leg/Arm hair on women
FRECKLES. (and not just as a way to characterize a “quirky” character). Freckled people often have them on our arms too.
Unique noses(hooked, upturned, long, crooked, etc). Describe ethnic noses characters may have and normalize not giving every character that is considered pretty a straight, tiny nose.
Greasy hair. Greasy scalp when they haven’t washed their hair in a few days
One dimple only (lol me). Or uneven dimples
Crow’s feet, smile lines
Small chin
Visible veins (old characters especially!)
If they go on a quest or adventure and don’t have sufficient access to hygiene products, describe the effects of that (ex: lack of deodorant, no shower, girls having leg hair, no toothbrush, etc). This will help make it feel real, unlike other stories where teenage characters go on adventures and look/smell perfect the entire time