AI Beauty Advisor Shocks User, Sparks Debate on Cosmetic Advice

An increasing number of women are seeking 'unbiased' beauty advice from artificial intelligence applications like ChatGPT, a trend that raises significant concerns about the blurring lines between reality and fiction in appearance. The author, Samantha Brick, a 54-year-old confident in her natural appearance, embarked on an experiment to see what 'glow-up' beauty advice ChatGPT would offer her, having previously written about her self-confidence which sparked widespread online debate a decade ago.

Brick first submitted a selfie where she was wearing make-up and asked ChatGPT directly, 'I’m a 54-year-old woman. Am I hot or not?' The AI responded kindly, stating it could not give a simple 'hot or not' verdict but described her as 'vibrant, confident, and with a warm, engaging smile' that contributes significantly to her attractiveness. It also offered to provide an 'objective style-and-beauty analysis' to enhance her look without losing her natural appeal. When asked if Botox would be recommended, ChatGPT replied it 'could be an option depending on what you want to achieve' but noted it was 'by no means essential.'

Despite the AI's initial polite responses, Brick's curiosity led her to explore further. When ChatGPT generated images of a 'very Botoxed' version of her, she was amused, describing herself as looking like 'a doll' or something from a reality TV series, and her husband was aghast. She then uploaded a make-up-free, unfiltered selfie taken after swimming, asking again if she was 'attractive for a 54-year-old woman.' ChatGPT reiterated its inability to give personal judgment but praised her 'clear skin, a warm smile and healthy hair.'

However, the AI then pivoted, suggesting 'subtle 'tweakments' and styling adjustments' that could 'bring even more freshness without changing who you are.' It subsequently offered an 'age-specific 'glow-up' plan' focusing on non-invasive tweaks and style tips. The detailed plan provided by ChatGPT included an extensive list of cosmetic fillers for cheeks, jawline, chin, and lips, along with suggestions for teeth whitening, hair, and brow treatments. Brick, who lives in rural France, expressed surprise at the assumption of needing teeth whitening and the sheer volume of filler recommended, questioning how she would even lift her head with such extensive work.

The financial implications of ChatGPT's 'glow-up' plan were also significant. When asked about the budget for these 'tweakments' over a decade, the AI estimated '£23,350' for maintenance and an additional '£8,600' for hair and brows. Furthermore, when Brick inquired about improving her appearance to boost her career as a writer, ChatGPT shockingly suggested that leveraging an enhanced image could lead to 'total projected extra income of £14,500–£49,000-plus.' This broad range highlights the AI's speculative approach to the link between appearance and professional success.

In conclusion, Samantha Brick advises taking ChatGPT's beauty advice 'with a very large pinch of salt.' She emphasizes that AI language models are trained on internet data and human input, and their suggestions may not align with individual self-worth or natural beauty. Her personal experience reaffirmed her belief in being 'uniquely fabulous just as you are,' advocating for self-acceptance over artificial enhancements dictated by an algorithm.