AI is changing everything, from the way we write emails to how we plan weddings. And while it can be a helpful tool in the right context, it’s starting to creep into spaces where it’s setting people up for unrealistic beauty standards.
Lately, I’ve noticed a growing trend: brides sending over inspiration boards filled with images that aren’t even real. These are AI-generated images of “brides” with flawless makeup, perfect lighting, and not a single pore or hair out of place. And while they might look dreamy on the surface, they’re setting a standard that no real human could ever be expected to meet.
Let’s be clear: real people have skin texture. They have freckles, laugh lines, under-eye circles, and uniqueness that makes their beauty their own. The danger of these AI generated looks is that they create a completely artificial benchmark, one that even the most skilled makeup artist with the best products in the world cannot replicate. Because it’s not real.
Pinterest, once the holy grail of wedding inspiration, is now flooded with these kinds of images. And it’s getting harder and harder to tell what’s real and what’s not. As a result, clients are coming in with expectations rooted in fantasy rather than reality, and makeup artists are being asked to recreate faces that don’t actually exist.
So, what can you do instead?
- Look for real-life examples. Seek out galleries and portfolios from actual weddings, styled shoots, or real makeup artists’ social media pages. Look at your make up artist socials and tagged work to get a feel of what real wedding day make up looks like.
- Take care of your skin– Achieving that flawless wedding day look starts months before the wedding. Talk to your dermatologist on a strategy to get your skin in tip top shape.
- Trust your artist. Bring photos that reflect your vibe, but understand everyone has their own unique features.
How to spot an AI photo? Click on the photo and see if it says modified by AI
1. Too Perfect Skin
- Pores? Gone. Fine lines? Nowhere.
- AI often smooths skin to the point where it looks more like plastic or airbrushed art than real skin.
- Highlighter glowing like a light bulb
2. Weird Eyes & Hands
- AI still struggles with symmetry. Watch for:
- Eyes that are slightly different sizes or have weird reflections
- Hands with too many fingers, bent in odd ways, or blurred edges
3. Toothy Clues
- AI often overdoes teeth: too white, too many, or shaped strangely.
- Smiles may look slightly “off” or too perfect
4. Strange Backgrounds
- Look closely at mirrors, jewelry, or fabric folds. AI struggles with reflections and realistic draping.
