Sigourney Nuñez, a nail artist based in Los Angeles, recalls one time a brand she was working with presented her with a project brief “just covered with AI-generated photos.” She says it took her by surprise, but ultimately, “I was relieved they were still hiring an artist to create the work, even though they used AI as a tool to mock it up.”
Both Miles and Nuñez say that this type of inspiration creates unrealistic expectations for what a human nail artist can do, but that they’re typically able to bring the client back down to earth after some additional collaboration. Nuñez says she tries to explain that “the inspo pic is just a launchpad” for ideas. “I am not a photo copy machine,” she says. “I am an artist.”
“I am not a photo copy machine. I am an artist.”
Although she’s successfully worked with clients who bring in AI-generated images to align on a manicure concept they both love, Miles says she’s uneasy about the psychological, environmental, and copyright implications of the technology. “I personally love using my brain for creative tasks, but those who aren’t naturally inclined to flex that muscle have now replaced trying with a machine,” she says. “I’m broadly concerned about the atrophy of imagination.”
For Haircuts and Color
Carly Zanoni, a San Diego-based colorist who frequently shares tips with other pros on how to work from clients’ inspo photos, doesn’t mind an AI-generated image. “I love when clients bring inspiration because it gives me insight into the overall vibe they’re going for,” she says. “Is it bright? Soft? High contrast? Lived-in? AI images can communicate that really well.” Sara Briscoe, a colorist in Queensland, Australia, agrees—to a point. “Any visual reference helps, because verbal communication is tough for some people,” she says. “But it stops being useful when the image is so AI that there’s no real texture. The gloss, density and tone are all fake and unachievable.”
