3 minute read
Is AI the future of the beauty industry?
Katie Godfrey discusses how embracing artificial intelligence could keep you a step ahead.
Let’s be real, AI sounds terrifying to most people in the beauty industry and I get it. When we think of artificial intelligence, we think of robots taking over jobs or some techy world that has nothing to do with lashes, skin treatments or salon life.
But the truth is, AI is already here and it’s not just for big corporations or tech bros. It’s for us, too. It’s for beauty and hair pros, salon owners, educators and anyone who wants to run a smarter business and get their time back. Recently, I had a really honest chat with Amy Lewis, owner of the Mooeys Group, about how AI is actually helping beauty business owners like us and where it could take us if we’re open to it.
Think you’re not using AI? If you’re using Canva’s Magic Write, Instagram auto-captions or even Siri, you already are. And when Amy and I were chatting, we realised that a lot of hair and beauty pros are using AI here and there, but they just don’t know it’s AI.
So instead of fearing it, it’s about learning how to use it to help you, especially with the stuff that drains your time and energy.
AI isn’t here to replace you, it’s here to help you show up more. Creating content, for example, can feel like a full-time job. We’re talking captions, blogs, emails, video scripts... it’s endless. But with tools like ChatGPT, you can speed it up big time.
Amy and I both use it to help us get ideas flowing, write quicker and show up more consistently, but here’s the thing: it’s still your voice, your message. AI is just the assistant.
Think of it like hiring a virtual content buddy that doesn’t sleep. Handy, right?
As salon owners, we wear all the hats: stylist, receptionist, marketing manager, cleaner, therapist… the list goes on. AI can’t take away the human touch (and we don’t want it to), but it can help with the admin, the emails, the automated responses and the reminders that zap your energy.
Even something like an AI chatbot on your website or social media that answers FAQs or helps people book in, can save you hours every week.
What we need to be careful of
We also spoke about the darker side of AI, like using it to write everything for you and ending up sounding like a robot. Don’t do that. Clients want you, not a chat bot version of you.
And let’s not even get started on those AI-generated “before and after” pictures people are using to fake results. That’s a hard no.
It’s about using AI with intention
Amy and I both agree that AI isn’t a shortcut to success. You still have to know your business, your client, your brand voice. But used right, AI is like having an extra team member you don’t have to train or pay and who never calls in sick. Start small: let it help with content ideas, captions, blog outlines or writing your policies. Then build from there.
You don’t need to be techy to get started. You just need to be curious. The beauty industry is changing fast and those of us who adapt are the ones who’ll stay ahead. So don’t bury your head in the sand, AI isn’t going anywhere.
Katie Godfrey is a business strategist and founder of KG Business Mentor, helping salon owners, clinics and training academies grow their business, increase revenue and build more freedom. Katie’s book Get Off the Tools is available on Amazon.
