Not sure which haircut will suit you? You can upload a clear photo to ChatGPT, paste one prompt, and get a few hairstyle suggestions with a preview image of each. It won't replace a good barber, but it gives you something to show them and helps you rule out styles you'd regret.
What you need
A ChatGPT account. OpenAI says ChatGPT Images works on all tiers, including free, and you can upload a photo and describe the changes you want (OpenAI Help).
One clear front-facing photo: good daylight, face straight to the camera, hair pulled back from the forehead if possible, no sunglasses or cap.
Optional: a side-profile photo, which helps with fades and volume on top.
Step by step
Open ChatGPT and upload your photo.
Paste the main prompt below. Fill in the parts in square brackets.
You are an experienced hairstylist. Look at the photo I've uploaded.
1. Describe my face shape (oval, round, square, heart, oblong or diamond), forehead, jawline and hairline in 3 short lines. If you're not sure, say so.
2. Describe my current hair: length, texture (straight, wavy, curly) and thickness, as far as you can tell from the photo.
3. Suggest 4 haircuts that would suit me. For each one give: the name, why it works for my face, how much daily styling it needs, and what to tell the barber in one sentence.
4. Then generate one image: a 2x2 grid showing me with each of the 4 haircuts, labelled 1 to 4.
Rules for the image: keep my face, skin tone, eyes, beard, age and expression exactly the same. Only change the hair. Keep the hair realistic for my hair texture and density.
My details: [male / female / prefer not to say], hair texture [straight / wavy / curly], I want [low maintenance / something trendy / office-friendly], and I can or can't grow it longer: [yes / no].Look at the four previews. Pick the one you like, then ask for a closer view:
Show haircut [number] on my photo as a single front-view image and a side-view image. Keep my face exactly the same. Then write a short note I can show my barber: length on top, sides and back in inches or clipper guard numbers, and how to style it at home.Want something specific? Try this:
Show me with [curtain bangs / a low taper fade / a textured crop / a long layered cut / a bob]. Keep my face exactly the same and only change the hair. Then tell me honestly if it suits my face shape and why.Take the note and the image to your barber or stylist and ask what they think will work with your actual hair.
Good to know
It's a preview, not a promise. Face shape from one photo is an estimate. Camera angle, lens and lighting change how your face looks. Your real hair texture, density, cowlicks and hairline matter a lot, and a photo can't show all of that.
AI can change your face. Sometimes the preview slightly alters your features. If it does, reply "keep my face exactly as in the original photo" and generate again.
Thin or receding hair: AI previews often add volume you may not have. Ask the barber what is realistic.
Privacy: your face is personal data. Only upload your own photo, or one you have permission for. You can stop your chats being used to train models in Settings > Data controls (OpenAI Help), and you can delete the chat afterwards.
Sharing: if you post the preview images, mention that they're AI-generated.
Limits: free accounts get fewer image generations than paid plans, so you may need to wait between tries.
Sources
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