Don’t tell your reader about your character’s appearance all at once. Sprinkle it throughout the story, like this…

Comparisons

Mom’s eyes were blue, like mine.

My green hair almost disappeared in the grassy field.

I was the complete opposite of my sister, who was {describe sister here}

Outside Observations

My boyfriend smiled and said, “How could I resist? You know I have a thing for black hair.”

“That swimsuit was made for bustier girls than you,” my friend told me.

“You should smile more often,” Mom said. “Sometimes I forget you inherited my dimples.”

General Observations

As a first generation Chinese immigrant, I stuck out like a sore thumb among the Wonder Bread kids of the suburbs.

Taming my stubble was like playing a losing game of Whack-a-Mole, but I had to look presentable for the gala.

My nose is long and pointy - perfect for sticking into other people’s business. 

The satchel thumped uncomfortably against my bony hip.

Other

I braided my long, blond hair nervously.

My face was too concave for the sunglasses; they quickly slipped to the tip of my nose.

It was no problem for me to reach the items on the top shelf.