This lesson practises 32 C2 collocations on Fashion, Beauty & Appearance. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
chair a committee
The editor was asked to chair a committee judging emerging designers.
fine lines
The serum claims to soften fine lines around the eyes.
broad shoulders
The jacket was cut to balance the model's broad shoulders.
trace of an accent
The model spoke with a trace of an accent from her hometown.
natural highlights
Her stylist used subtle natural highlights to brighten dark hair.
put in an appearance
The actor agreed to put in an appearance at the designer's charity show.
broad accent
Her broad accent was part of the charm in the perfume commercial.
face trial
The retailer may face trial for selling counterfeit handbags.
lengthy delays
The launch suffered lengthy delays after fabric shipments were held at customs.
put a stop to
The brand hired investigators to put a stop to counterfeit sales of the new collection.
keep up with trends
It is difficult to keep up with trends when styles change every week.
set a trend
The stylist's recycled-denim jacket helped set a trend for the season.
back in fashion
Wide-leg trousers are back in fashion in this season’s collection.
face a grilling
The designer had to face a grilling from buyers over the delayed collection.
booming voice
The announcer introduced each designer in a booming voice.
auburn hair
The editor chose a model with auburn hair for the autumn campaign.
face a hike
Shoppers will face a hike in prices if cotton costs continue to rise.
full lips
The model's full lips were emphasised by a muted lipstick.
fashion victim
She was called a fashion victim because she bought every trend immediately.
stunning range
The boutique displayed a stunning range of handmade accessories.
enhance natural features
The stylist used light makeup to enhance the model’s natural features.
designer label
The bag carried a designer label known for minimalist leatherwork.
talk nonsense
The influencer may talk nonsense about skincare, but the dermatologist gives evidence-based advice.
flurry of snow
A flurry of snow forced the outdoor fashion shoot indoors.
clear up confusion
The stylist called a meeting to clear up confusion about the dress code.
hugely popular look
The new collection created a hugely popular look among younger customers.
exclusive beauty salon
The celebrity booked an appointment at an exclusive beauty salon before the awards ceremony.
dull thud
A dull thud echoed backstage when a rack of clothes fell.
glossy magazine
The glossy magazine devoted its cover to sustainable beauty.
face a problem
The brand could face a problem if its sizing chart remains inaccurate.
blond hair
The wig was made from soft blond hair that caught the studio lights.
luxury cream
The dermatologist recommended a luxury cream for dry winter skin.