It’s no longer about the salon — it’s about the stylist.
These days, the evolution of AI is truly impressive.
Texts, images, videos — anyone can easily create them for free, and the quality is getting so good that it’s hard to tell what’s real.
It’s convenient, and even kind of magical.
But in the beauty industry, I feel that it’s also creating some complex challenges.
Take hairstyle photos, for example.
In the past, salons would actually cut, color, or perm a model’s hair and then photograph it for use in ads. Finding a model, doing the styling, photographing, editing — it was a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process.
But now, you can create hairstyle images with AI.
In just a few minutes, and for free.
And what happens as a result is that
images of styles that the stylist didn’t actually do are being posted on websites and social media as if they were original creations.
From the customer’s perspective, they think, “Wow, I love this style!” and make a booking.
But when they arrive at the salon, the result can be completely different.
Some of these people actually come to me for help afterward.
“The finished look was nothing like the photo.”
“I was shocked by how unskilled the stylist was.”
“They didn’t understand what I wanted at all.”
This kind of “false advertising” has actually existed even before AI became popular.
Back then, it wasn’t AI — salons would buy and sell hairstyle photo materials among themselves.
If a salon didn’t have time to do a photoshoot, they’d buy photos from another salon to use in their ads.
Now, AI has made that even easier and more widespread.
Of course, not every salon does this — but it’s definitely happening.
And what I want to emphasize most is this:
The salon is just a space. What really matters is the people inside.
Even within the same salon, each stylist is completely different in their skills, taste, values, and approach.
Some are great with color, others with cuts, others love perms.
Some are gentle and patient, others are fun to talk to, and some work quietly and with focus.
Hairdressing is a job where human connection and compatibility really matter.
I’ve worked in many famous salons in Tokyo and London.
And what I strongly felt was this — the era of “it’s a famous salon, so it must be good” is over.
Now, it’s about “which individual are you trusting your hair to?”
At large chain salons, you’ll often see AI images or templated styles.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right for each unique client.
That’s why I believe we need to start focusing on individuals.
We’re entering a time where we choose people — not just salons.
And it’s not just in the beauty industry.
When buying a car, visiting a doctor, going to a restaurant…
We’re living in an era where choosing the right person matters more than the brand or company.
Now that life has become so convenient, what’s most important is the ability to recognize what’s real.
AI, services, relaxation — they’re all great.
But without real skill and trustworthy people behind them, it’s just packaging.
That’s why I want to continue facing each client with sincerity, one by one.
And if this blog was even slightly helpful to you, I’m truly glad.
