What AI Taught Me About Real Beauty
My Journey Down the AI Rabbit Hole
What happens when a beauty editor trades the director's chair for the spotlight in an AI-driven photoshoot? I decided to find out by testing Glam AI, one of the most talked-about image generators online. The results were a surreal parade of digital me's: dripping in diamonds, lounging on yachts, and wrapped in fur. The initial rush was undeniable, but it was immediately followed by a creeping sense of an identity crisis.
A Digital Identity Crisis
This experience became an emotional rollercoaster, swinging from the thrill of fantasy to the anxiety of body image. It forced me to confront the big questions this technology poses for the beauty industry. We also asked our audience to weigh in, and their varied responses showed just how conflicted we all are about AI's expanding influence on our perception of beauty.
The Problem with Programmed Perfection
Seeing these idealized versions of myself brought up some uncomfortable thoughts. Why does the AI seem to have only one definition of beauty? It smoothed away my wrinkles and freckles, straightened my smile, and erased any softness. Where were all the perfectly imperfect human parts?
The Artistry AI Can't Replicate
Here's the reality check. I’ve spent a large part of my career working alongside incredible creative teams. I know the painstaking hours, the 6 a.m. call times, the constant lighting tweaks, and the genuine connection required to capture a single, perfect shot. I've seen hairstylists use leaf blowers for that windswept effect and celebrated the beauty of a freckled face that looks like a real, elevated version of itself. That kind of magic can't be generated from a simple text prompt.
Embracing the Imperfect
Unless you give it explicit instructions to do otherwise, the AI defaults to a predictable standard: chiseled jaws, slender waists, and perfectly symmetrical faces. It eliminates anything it deems "off." But so often, the magic is in the "off." That's where authentic, breathtaking beauty truly resides.
