I spent a full week testing AI tools that promise a better face, better hair, and better photos. Sounds bold, right? I wanted small wins, not a whole new person. I wanted help that I could live with day to day. And you know what? Some of it worked. Some of it felt… weird.
For another seven-day play-by-play that compares notes with my own, you can peek at this diary-style breakdown of a similar experiment here.
Here’s my take as someone who actually tried this stuff on my own face, in my own home, with my own slightly crooked smile.
If you’d rather see how these tools hold up over a much longer stretch, this 90-day field report on Looksmaxxing.org is a great reality check worth skimming.
So, what is this “looksmaxxing” thing?
It’s a fancy way to say, “Let’s improve how we look.” The AI part means apps scan your face and make smart guesses. They tell you what could help. Hair. Brows. Skin. Even glasses shape. Some tools change your photo. Some tools give simple advice.
It can be fun. It can also mess with your head, if you’re not careful.
If you want a grounded take on grooming that doesn’t rely on algorithms, the folks at Sharpman share plain-spoken guides that feel like a friend talking.
And if you’re curious about the whole PSL-score rabbit hole in particular, this tester’s candid story lays it all out right here.
What I used, for real
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QOVES face assessment: I paid for a report. It marked things on my face with lines and terms. Midface length. Brow height. Nasolabial folds. It felt very clinical. A bit cold. But it gave ideas I could try right away, like thicker brows and softer bangs.
If you’re debating whether it’s worth the price, a comprehensive review of the QOVES facial assessment tool breaks down every feature alongside real user experiences. -
YouCam Makeup: I used this to test makeup. I tried a soft brown liner, peach blush, and a rosy lip. I saved a photo and matched the look at Target. The bronzer was too warm for my skin, but the peach blush was a win. It looked fresh on Zoom.
For a deeper look at its virtual try-on tech and wider user feedback, see this in-depth analysis of the YouCam Makeup app. -
HairstyleAI: I uploaded a set of selfies. Then it made lots of fake haircuts on my face. A chin-length bob with a slight wave looked great. The full buzzcut looked like a helmet. I took the bob photo to my stylist, Alex, at a small shop in Austin. We trimmed my ends, added a shallow bend, and kept a side part. It looked like me, just cleaner.
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TroveSkin: This helped me track acne and texture. It flagged oil in my T-zone and dull skin. It nudged me toward 2.5% benzoyl peroxide for spots and a 5% niacinamide serum. I checked with my derm before I changed anything. After three weeks, my forehead calmed down. Not perfect. Better.
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Warby Parker try-on: I tested glasses from my couch. The app liked thin gold frames for my round cheeks. I liked them too. I ordered a home try-on kit. The pair called “Esme” sat well and kept my face open.
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Remini: It sharpened my selfies for profile pics. Nice for photos, but it’s not real skin. Good to know, but not a fix.
If those crisper photos inspire you to amp up your flirting game, this practical rundown on keeping sexting conversations fresh and respectful lays out consent cues, ice-breakers, and creative prompts that help you carry the same confidence from your images into your chats.
And if those refreshed shots make you curious about meeting someone new in person—say, around Purdue’s backyard—you can scout the best spots and apps through this guide to West Lafayette hookups that highlights top venues, time-saving match tips, and safety pointers tailored to that college-town scene. -
TikTok “Bold Glamour” filter: Just for kicks. It made my face look glossy and sharp. It also erased my little nose bump. Cool for a second. Then a bit sad. I closed the app and took a walk.
There’s a whole niche trend around “edging” routines that supposedly give you that same sharpened look in real life; one writer’s unfiltered verdict lives here.
What actually made a difference
Here’s the thing: the biggest wins were small and boring.
- A trim and a soft wave around my cheeks.
- Fuller brows with a brow pen.
- A gentle cleanser, a light serum, and sunscreen every morning.
- Eight hours of sleep. Water. Mouth tape? No, thanks.
I also reminded myself that changes pulling double health duty—like lowering blood pressure—count even more, a balance struck in this HTN-focused looksmaxxing story. - Better lighting for photos. Face a window. That’s it.
One fun trick the AI pushed that I liked: a shorter bang. Not blunt. Just a light sweep. It made my forehead look smaller and my eyes look awake. I felt cute at school pick-up. That counts.
What I didn’t like
- Uploading my face over and over felt icky at times. Privacy matters. I set accounts to private and deleted extra photos.
- Hard upsells. “Pay more for a perfect plan.” No thanks.
- Harsh words in one report made me feel picked apart. Nose angle. Eye canthal tilt. It was a lot.
- Some edits looked fake. I don’t want to chase a jawline that only exists on a phone.
- It’s a rabbit hole. I lost time. My laundry stared at me, and I stared back.
Also, a quick note if you’re young: this stuff can twist how you see yourself. If an app makes you feel bad, pause. Talk to someone who cares about you in real life.
Real-life examples you can copy
- The brow boost: I used a thin pen and made small hair strokes only at the tail. My face looked more “lifted.” Took two minutes.
Need a step-by-step visual? This eyebrow-only experiment breaks it down with photos in this guide. - The haircut test: I brought the HairstyleAI bob render to my stylist. We kept the length under my chin and added a soft bend with a 1.25" iron. I sprayed a little heat protectant. Done.
- The makeup tweak: Peach cream blush high on the cheek. Then a tiny dot of balm on the tops of my cheeks. Glowy, not greasy.
- Skin care: CeraVe foaming cleanser at night, The Ordinary niacinamide in the morning, a simple SPF 50. I skipped strong stuff near my mouth corners. Less peeling.
- Glasses: Thin, light frames that don’t cut across my cheeks. They stop smudges and let my face show.
None of that is flashy. But it held up in bad gym lights and in the car line.
Tips so you stay sane
- Set a small goal. “Look more awake,” not “be a new person.”
- Pick two tools. Not ten.
- Use daylight when you take photos. Face a window.
- Treat AI as a mirror with extra ideas. Not a judge.
- Check skin plans with a real pro if you have acne, redness, or any pain.
- Keep your original photos. Don’t lose track of your real face.
If you’re tempted to chase a higher “PSL” score, read this no-fluff walk-through of how the process actually feels before you dive in right here.
Quick pros and cons
Pros
- Easy ideas you can test fast
- Cheap trials save money on random buys
- Great for hair and glasses planning
- Fun, when you keep it light
Cons
- Privacy worries with face uploads
- Pushy upsells and paid reports
- Unreal edits can mess with self-esteem
- Time sink if you chase “perfect”
Who this is for
- Folks who like trying new looks, but want low risk.
- Brides, grads, job seekers who need a