hollywood glam waves — Image: Sylvia Stahl photography

Picture this: a beaming bride-to-be, clutching her phone, excitedly showing me a photo of her dream wedding makeup. Little did she know that the image was AI-generated. As a beauty business owner specializing in hair and makeup, this encounter reminded me of the power of technology in shaping our beauty ideals. It also made me reflect on my own journey in the world of beauty, where I've come to understand the importance of managing expectations and celebrating authenticity.

In an age where technology has made remarkable strides, the line between what is real and what is artificial is becoming increasingly blurred. From AI-generated images to perfectly photoshopped models, it's essential to address the impact of these altered representations on our perceptions of beauty and self-image. I recently had a bride show me an AI-generated photo for her wedding makeup, a testament to the advancements in artificial intelligence and how easily these images can deceive us. It's time for people to manage their expectations and recognize that achieving the flawless looks we see on Pinterest is often unrealistic and unattainable.

The Allure of Social Media:

AI Generated Photo, not a real person
(Image Credit unknown)

As we scroll through social media platforms like Pinterest, we are bombarded with images of seemingly perfect individuals with flawless skin, impeccable features, and stunning hair. However, it's crucial to remember that these images are often heavily altered through retouching, filters, and AI enhancements. These looks are not achievable without significant investments of time, money, and sometimes even surgical procedures. Most of these pictures are heavily altered, leaving little room for reality. We believe in your authentic and natural beauty.

The Limitations of Makeup:

Makeup is an incredible tool that can enhance one's natural beauty and boost confidence. However, it is essential to understand its limitations. Despite its amazing abilities, makeup cannot erase wrinkles, change the fundamental size, and shape of your facial features, or completely alter your face shape. Makeup is not a magical wand that can erase all imperfections. Instead, it's a tool to enhance our unique features and highlight our best qualities. I've learned to work with my clients, focusing on what makes them special, rather than trying to mold them into someone else's image.

Hair Styling Realities:

Much like makeup, hair styling has its limitations. I've encountered clients who longed for voluminous, cascading hair like the ones they admired on Pinterest and popular animated movies. But just like with makeup, it's essential to set realistic expectations. While we can style hair beautifully, we can't make it grow beyond its natural length (without the help of extensions*) or alter its texture completely. Embracing the natural beauty of everyone’s hair is a principle we hold dear.

Guiding My Clients to Real Beauty:

Over time, I've learned that guiding my clients toward their perfect look involves more than just replicating a Pinterest photo. It's about understanding their unique characteristics, such as their skin tone, eye color, hair type, and even their age. Taking these factors into account helps me design a makeup and hairstyling plan that complements their features, making them feel like the best version of themselves.

Discovering the Real Inspiration:

I've come to value the importance of authentic inspiration. Instead of relying solely on the filtered world of Pinterest, I encourage my clients to explore a company's website and social media platforms. These authentic sources often showcase real individuals, untouched by heavy editing, giving a truer representation of the artists' work.

Best Practices for Finding Your Perfect Look: Finding inspiration for your wedding or any special occasion is essential, but it's crucial to set realistic expectations. Here are some best practices to help you find style examples that suit you:

Find Similarities: Look for images of people who share similar characteristics with you, such as skin tone, eye color, hair color, and hair type. This will give you a more accurate representation of how the look might translate on you.
Consider Age: Look for individuals in the same age range as you. Age can significantly impact how makeup and hairstyles appear on different people.
Check Authentic Sources: Instead of relying solely on Pinterest, explore company websites and social media platforms where they feature real, unaltered individuals. This will give you a more authentic perspective on their work.
Preparation is Key: Plan ahead and take good care of your skin and hair leading up to the event. Consult your makeup artist and hairstylist for recommended treatments and products to ensure your skin and hair are in the best possible shape.

The Price of Beauty

In my journey, I've encountered clients who dream of looking like their favorite celebrities. It's understandable; after all, they exude glamour and grace. However, I always remind my clients that achieving such looks often comes with significant investments of time, energy, and money.

Embracing Your Unique Magic:

I've developed two mantras that guide my work. The first, "Beauty isn't cheap and can't be bought at the drugstore," reminds my clients that achieving certain looks requires dedication and investment. The second, "Makeup isn't magic, but it can make you feel magical," celebrates the transformative power of makeup in enhancing confidence and self-esteem.

In Closing

My journey in the beauty industry has taught me valuable lessons about embracing real beauty. It's about managing expectations, working with the unique features of each individual, and finding inspiration that celebrates authenticity. As I continue this beautiful journey, I hope to guide my clients in discovering their own unique magic, where makeup and hairstyling become tools that empower them to shine as their genuine selves, radiating confidence and joy on their special day and beyond.

*Alea Beauty offers HaloCouture Extensions for both rental or purchase. Ask about our custom color match and fitting appointments.

Braided wedding hairstyles — Image: Sierra Dyer Co.

About Alea Beauty

Alea Beauty is a luxury hair, makeup, and airbrush spray tanning service that specializes in styling for weddings, lifestyle, and special events. We believe in an authentic, effortless, and inclusive approach to beauty, and our talented team of professional hair and makeup artists strive to continuously create custom looks that best complement our clients’ natural beauty.

About The Founder

Carla Welechuk Kowski has been in the beauty industry for over 20 years, working as a beauty educator for Chanel, a celebrity personal travel artist, a corporate and personal stylist for Microsoft, and the senior lead artist and general manager for Salon Maison in Seattle, Washington, and in Orange County, California. She’s also served in various other scopes of the wedding industry, including as a wedding and event designer in the early 2000s. In 2018, Carla founded Alea Beauty LLC to offer a more personal and specialized beauty service. Since establishing new roots in Ohio, Alea Beauty has expanded to three more locations across the U.S., in California, Arizona and Massachusetts. She added Glow by Alea Beauty, a spray tanning service, in 2021. In 2022 Carla launched Kowski Creative LLC, a creative coaching and women's entrepreneur mentorship program to help empower fellow business owners and future Creative-preneurs.

Image information:
Organizer: @aleabeauty.co, @leighannpachecobeauty
Host: @call_of_julie
Photographers: @sierradyerco @sylviastahlphoto
Hair & makeup: @aleabeauty.co, @leighannpachecobeauty, @rachel.justine
Model: @krrgardner
Gown: @shopgildedsocial
Menswear: @c.stefano.custom.tailoring
Flowers: @sunnycaligirl