They are prepared to improve appearances (9)

I believe the answer is:

cosmetics

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'they' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for cosmetics that I've seen before include "which should improve exterior" , "Slap" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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