What Stylist want you to know about AI and Hair
How ai technology effects your hair inspo photos.
"Okay, real talk about inspo pics and AI — we need to chat."
So you come in with that awesomePinterest board or a saved TikTok of this stunning hairstyle, and your stylist is like... "Okay but... let’s unpack this a little."
Because here’s the deal — a lot of the inspo photos floating around lately? They’re not always real. Like, literally. Some are fully AI-generated or just so filtered and edited that they’re giving us hair dreams that aren’t even possible in real life.
So here’s what your stylist is really thinking:
1. “This is gorgeous... but hair doesn’t do that.”
AI and editing apps can make hair look unrealistically full, glossy, and gravity-defying. Like, it’s giving “magical fairy from a shampoo ad,” but in the real world, even with all the product and technique, hair just doesn’t behave like that.
2. “I can totally give you this vibe—but let’s make it work for your hair.”
Your texture, length, color history, and even how much time you want to spend styling in the morning — it all matters. Stylists love inspo photos, but they’re trying to tailor that look to what’s actually going to work and last on you.
3. “Be honest with me about filters.”
If you used an AI app to test out a hair color or style on yourself — that’s totally fine! Just let your stylist know. It helps us figure out how close we can get to that look in real life (and whether it’s a one-step thing or like... a six-month journey).
4. “I want you to love your hair—but I’m not a magician or a CGI artist.”
Stylists aren’t being negative when they suggest tweaks to your inspo — they just don’t want you to leave disappointed when your hair doesn’t look like a digitally-perfect, extension-filled, AI-enhanced goddess on your Pinterest board.
So what can you do?
Bring multiple inspo pics showing different angles and lighting
Look for styles on people with similar hair texture and color
Be open to a stylist saying, “We can do this, but here’s what it’ll take”
And if you're ever unsure, just ask:
“Okay, what about this look is realistic for me — and what’s the AI/fantasy part?”