Monday Musings on The New Frontier of Fake
Happy Monday Ladies. It may sound strange, but I get a great sense of accomplishment from working my way through my ironing pile. I watched random YouTube videos, and generally zoned out. What I noticed, is that this pile had more colorful items than ever before and I’m not sure if I like it. I have no problem styling bright, colorful outfits in a try-on, but comitting to them long term is a different story.
As promised, here’s a snap of what I wore yesterday. I worked from home, did a ton of laundry, ironed for several hours, then we walked to a local restaurant for dinner. As you know, I usually wear neutrals so this shirt was a stretch for me. The waittress immediatly complimented me on it, and proceeded to tell me that she only wears neutrals, which I found rather funny.
She’s Not Real
I ran into a profile on Instagram a few weeks ago that stopped me mid-scroll. This woman, claiming to be 63, looked spectacular (more like 50) and was sharing her reinvention story. She’d survived a midlife divorce, conquered her low energy, lost weight, smoothed out her skin, and completely turned her life around by “making the right choices.” She even made a video with her daughter talking about the pure joy of being a grandmother.
It was warm, it was relatable, but the problem is, she isn’t real. She’s entirely AI-generated. The “daughter,” the “grandchildren,” the mid-life awakening…are all lies, likely cooked up by some 22-year-old tech bro who knows how to manipulate an algorithm. And of course, she was selling something.
The wildest part was I noticed several women I know were following her. Did they know she wasn’t real? I’m guessing not. Meta has stated that they require AI to be labeled, but they’re not enforcing the rule, so it’s becoming like the wild, wild west out there.
The first AI woman I spotted several months ago now has millions of followers. She’s styled to look like an impossibly perfect, fabulously wealthy older woman, dispensing pearls of wisdom like, “Darling, a woman doesn’t let anyone tell her how she should think.” And “Darling, a wise woman knows…” With over a few million followers, her bio is now selling a book!
You have to appreciate the absolute irony of a digital puppet telling real women how to think, all while selling a book on confidence. Buy the book, and you too can look and behave just like her! Except you can’t, because she’s made of pixels.
We’re being flooded with these AI personas engineered to prey on our confidence. They use deeply human psychological triggers because those are the exact stories that build instant trust. It bypasses our natural skepticism because we want to believe that kind of reinvention is possible.
But it’s a double-edged sword of deceit.
On one side, older women are being sold a load of absolute bull. We’re being told we can achieve a level of physical perfection that does not exist in nature. On the other side, younger women are being fed a terrifying narrative about aging. They’re being shown these hyper-glossy digital avatars as the only acceptable way to grow older, reinforcing the lie that wrinkles and life experience are things to be feared and erased.
It’s funny, but we used to worry about airbrushing in magazines. Now, the entire person is an illusion.
The technology has gotten so good that a video is no longer glitchy when a hand moves or a person walks so it’s getting harder to spot.
The beauty and wellness industries have always played on women’s insecurities to get us to spend money, but creating entire fake women to do it? That is a whole new level of low.
We like to think we’re smarter than that. And right now, maybe we are. But as this technology improves, and it will, rapidly…the line between real and AI is going to vanish completely.
Readers Questions
If you have questions of your own you can pop them in the comments or hit reply to the email of this post.
Q – Can you tell me what eyeliner you use?
A – This one is simple, I began using this Stila Waterproof Liquid Liner Pen. It’s like a felt-tip pen that I started using about 6 years ago and haven’t found a better one. I use Alloy, which is a soft gray, and I also have it in Intense Labradorite, which I use when I want a smokier eye. I’ve tried soft pencils more times than I can count, but no matter how soft they claim to be, they drag on the loose skin along my lashline. Here are a few other brands:
Q – Please help a silver haired /salt and pepper lady with brown eyes discover a shade of brown that works.
A – Color analysis is iffy at best in a virtual situation, and even in person, the accuracy of your results depends on the system they use and the competence of the person analyzing you. I would suggest you start by determining if you have a warm or cool undertone. Then you may find it helpful to discover your personal contrast level. Finally, try on many shades of brown, snap selfies, and study them to see which ones drain energy from your face and which ones make you look most vibrant.
Q – I have a question about slip shorts. I have a long summer dress that is thin fabric. I do not want my legs to show through when it’s sunny. Are slip shorts good for that, or do I wear a traditional half-slip?
A – Since slip shorts conform to your legs, the shape of your legs will show through the sheer dress fabric. I recommend a slip.
There are lots of great things still available at the Nsale and while I am not going to beat this sale to death, I wanted to share some new collections I’ve made.
Here are some great sweater jackets, which I find comfy and wearable in the fall. I refreshed and update this collection of Trench Coats and I ordered this one. I also added more wide-leg jeans to this collection, because we’re going to be seeing lots of them this fall.
Let’s chat about these AI profiles? Have you noticed them popping up in your feeds, your search results, or in advertisements? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Wow, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I see comments here and there like ‘this is AI’ and it always catches me off guard. But entire accounts and fake people. My goodness. It makes you question everything. Oof.
It’s the worst part of IG!
Terrific post! I’ve seen these feeds. Thank you for calling them out.
I don’t think I have seen any AI ads but who knows? It’s funny to hear the answers to questions you ask AI though.
I watched a woman showing off mothers then I noticed a copyright circle with an I in the center and next to it an AI. What does that mean? And why isn’t YouTube catching these if we can’t find them? I’m going to a YouTube meeting and I will ask.
Ler me know what you find out, Sandra! There are so many YouTube AI channels it must be impacting real creators.
WOW! AI can be quite difficult to differentiate from reality. I have not seen that particular “person” and I’m not interested. I’m a perfectionist but I know I will never be perfect. I’m human … very human.
Same here
I appreciate reading about your AI experience, along with the comments from your readers! It’s just so amazing that this is going on and the potential is so scary. For me, my experience was looking at these fabulous older women shown with their haircuts. I was so depressed until I realized I was not looking at reality, and I’ve noticed that some people are beginning to comment “bot” on the postings.
One other thing I’ll mention because I think it is funny, you mentioned doing laundry yesterday and the outfit you wore. I’m doing laundry today and I’m wearing a periwinkle blue gauze shirt from j crew factory and black cargo pants, which are not my typical colors either!
I always leave an AI comment hoping people will see it.
Unfortunately, I’ve pretty much stopped looking at Instagram unless I filter for my favorites. At least I know the children in the photos are my nieces and nephews, and they haven’t been altered … they really do grow up that quickly! Thanks for the reminder to be wary. (My wife almost entered some personal info into the wrong website the other day because she didn’t pay attention to the first link that popped up when she searched for a bank website.) Also, I find myself coming to blogs … reminder those old-fashioned ways of communicating? LOL! … because I trust these more than Instagram.
Oh those pop up’s are dangerous’ I’ve had to catch myself several times. I’m glad she spotted it early enough.
AI influencers telling us how to dress/think/behave are scary enough.
And what’s even more worrisome is the AI generated “news” that is infuencing people – especially considering that so many get their “news” from questionable online sources, not traditional media outlets. While one might think that a lot of this is coming from Russia, it turns out that American right-wing influencers are also using “fake” news on social media. Here in Canada, they are using AI social media to persuade Albertans that our country is broken (ummm…no, it’s not) and to vote for separation in the referendum this fall.
Great point! We have a lot of that in the US too.
I also enjoy ironing! I find it relaxing and get a real sense of accomplishment when done!
Now ..AI promoting sites for perfect older women. YIKES. I’ve not subscribed to any. The whole idea is just awful. I’m sticking to you and your posts!
I seriously hate Ai. I’ve already had a few experiences when I’ve called companies (apartment leasing, internet service) and went through a long conversation with the “Rep” only to find I had wasted my time with Ai. I needed help yesterday changing a reservation and these companies do NOT want to talk to you anymore. I love technology like my computer and it has many helpful uses, but I’m baffled by this need to have something artificial replacing humans. It’s all about saving money. I feel sorry for the younger generations; this is going to reach some kind of tipping point with them. Maybe they will adapt and aren’t concerned? Companies are shameless and greedy and people just don’t believe that they will go as far as possible to replace people. They will force it on to us, just like self checkout which has become the norm. No human if they can get away with it. Sorry, but that is my rant, LOL.
No need to apologize! It’s very frustrating.
I read this today and felt a sense of Déjà vu. I just had a conversation about the old time “truth in advertising “ concept. Guess that one disappeared first.
It’s not only the AI “people”, the influencers on the vlogs authoritatively state something and it becomes gospel. I’d say 90% of my feed is fake. Then there’s the discount that starts at 50% and after you’ve ignored the offer for a week, miraculously they can offer a subscription price with 90% off.
It boils me up !
AI worries me. It scares me. Social media isn’t the fun and helpful tool it used to be…at least not for me. Important topic, glad you brought it up. While I’m aware, I don’t feel I really understand AI and the implications, effects, etc.
That said….i love ironing and a freshly ironed white shirt? Bliss!
Thx for this post, Jennifer.
Thanks Linda
I work in a school and received a call today indicating we’ve had some “incidents” that needed reporting….I asked “am I speaking with a human?” The phone disconnected….the other person in the office thought it was a funny question….I thought it was a smart question.
It was a very smart question!
Great piece about AI generated posts. Can you give us some tips on how to spot them?
Thanks
They’re getting harder to spot. Enlarge the screen and watch the eyes in the video. They tend to jump a bit. Arms can be jerky. The best “tell” is by watching a few. The face changes ever so slightly. Of course, once you’ve watched that many, the algorithm will decide to send you more because it thinks you like the content. I block them after figuring it out.
Love your words on the ever burgeoning AI crap. Thank you, Jennifer!
More and more we have to be careful about our internet reading, and it’s quite dismaying to discover so much AI content. My regular “news” feed seems to have way too many human interest stories that are just some made up amalgam, or those fake product endorsements. But, these AI influencers are nothing if not cost-effective advertising, and are always on line and on brand.
Jennifer, you look great in the purple shirt ! That’s a keeper.
Jennifer I appreciate your post today because I spend more time trying to figure out what is AI and what’s real. It concerns me a lot and I am not opposed to technology at all. But how it’s being used is scary. Thanks for Sharing.
Jennnifer—every time you wear colour (raspberry, red, this strong lavender) it makes me smile because you look so alive, energized and pretty. Get used to it. Colour makes you younger and healthier-looking now, especially since your hair and complexion have changed.
And AI will never have that inner glow you have. If something is too perfect, it usually is too good to be true.
You’re right. If it appears perfect, it’s probably fake.
Thanks, Jennifer, for highlighting rain coats in the Nordstrom sale. I am in need of one and found it! Have a great week!
I do think that all AI generated content should have a disclosure label. AI is often damaging and manipulative; and there is so much of it now. I rely on a concept called “the uncanny valley” – AI that is very close to looking and sounding human feels creepy. I have paid more attention to this creepiness factor to filter out AI from what I am viewing. On the topic of aging, I am the same age as Madonna. While watching her in the FIFA final halftime show, I felt sad for her – so desperate not to look her age. She looked very uncomfortable in her own skin. I remember a phrase from awhile ago about “aging unapologetically”. I am trying to follow that philosophy.
I most enjoy following you because you are real and honest with your followers! Thank you for being you!
Just googled you to make sure you’re not AI. I figured with the pictures you posted of your skin and nose issues, you had to be real. The google search seemed to confirm that you are. The problem with AI is that sometimes you ask a question that you know the answer to, and it gives you the wrong answer. Nonetheless, too many of us trust everything we read and see. Thanks for a very timely warning/caution/reminder about who and what to trust.
I’m real but an AI model could easily duplicate me and you’d have a hard time figuring it out. It’s funny you mention me, because for the first time ever, the alternative text for my picture includes “real woman”.
Thank you for bringing the AI info to our attention. I too had noticed a lot of rubbish out there on the internet. Always wanting to sell us products!
Most of us can tell fake from fiction however all reminders are much appreciated. I especially dislike fake medical information. It’s cruelty disturbing.
There’s a lot of that medical misinformation. Most people can not spot the AI. It’s getting that good.
Yikes that is so alarming and freaky Jennifer! I’ve seen the “darling” woman and had no idea. You’re other example sounds so horrible. It is the Wild West it there! Thanks for sounding the bell.
One more question about the Quince skirt. Did you order a petite?
No I didn’t but I like my maxis long.
Thank you, ordering it now.
That is very disturbing, AI generated influencers. And that so many people are following. What made you know it was fake, just the “too good to be true” aspect of this perfect person’s life, or something else? Thanks
If you watch the videos very closely, over and over, the face and eyes changed subtly.
I find your blog to be the most real and the most helpful!
Thanks Linda. I’m sure real ☺️
I’ve had my eye on that linen skirt from Quince. I’ll be anxious to see how you wear it.
AI is out of control and scary! You were able to tell that you were watching AI but I worry about impressionable teens and those who are struggling with aging buying into this fantasy. Are there any controls put on what they can say? Are they required to say AI generated? I usually look for that but don’t know if it must be listed as AI. I guess buyer beware.
Meta states that AI must be labeled but they’re not enforcing it so few accounts are complying. I also worry about young people. And old people. And all of us.
I really dislike that fake stuff too. All of a sudden on FB you see all these women talking about how much their children dislike them, have chosen to completely abandon their parents and have a no contact policy. I felt so bad reading about that. Hearing those stores. How sad it must be. And then I noticed I was getting invites to join a group of women to discuss the above. All for $1000 if I act fast. Ridiculous.
That’s awful!!!
Back in the 1970s when I took my first marketing class the professor used a case study featuring one of the big cosmetics companies. I don’t remember which company it was, maybe Revlon or Estée Lauder. The lesson to be learned was that they didn’t sell “makeup;” they sold “hope.” The AI generated women of 2026 are just “hope2.2” with new wrinkle-free faces, flat tummies and bionic hips. But it’s the same message: women must maintain physical perfection, and they can if they use xyz products. I fell for it then; these days I try to have a sense of humor about it.
Pope Leo has an enlightening encyclical regarding AI and how it can never replace human relationships and the inherent dignity of all persons.
So true, but it’s duping everyday.
AI is kind of terrifying when used to create fake people and events. It certainly has beneficial uses but the examples you pointed out are just plain creepy. Thanks for broaching the subject. It’s an important one.
I have noticed AI You Tube channels. I even watched a couple of videos before I found out it was AI. I fear they will push out real people and I don’t like it one bit. They need to be labeled as such.
There are a ton of AI You Tube channels
and they’re very successful. They will put many creatives out of business.
I haven’t seen any of these puppet ladies yet but now I want to be on the lookout for a couple. This is very creepy and yet funny but I feel bad for the women who are taken in by this. On another topic, I’m trying the Stila eyeliner because I’ve been having the same issue you mentioned with a pencil. Looking forward to trying it. Thanks!
There are lots of versions, this just happens to be my favorite.
I’m sure these “fakies” are on my Instagram feed, but I’m not savvy enough to spot them. Social media really isn’t as fun/helpful as it used to be!
I wear a lot of neutrals, too–especially navy. But I also own that purple cotton gauze shirt. I’m guaranteed to get at least one compliment every time I wear it! People definitely do notice color, and I have to admit that I feel good wearing it.
I try to be aware of the accounts and videos that I watch. But I agree that it’s getting harder to weed out the AI creations. I’m determined to stick with the accounts like yours that I know for certain are real!
I am very, very concerned about these AI generated profiles. How can we check to see who is real or not? We need education to spot fakes and to report them. We are all so vulnerable especially in these times of uncertainty and anxiety. People are looking for ways to reduce anxiety but therapy is out of reach for so many. People then go on instagram to look for answers. The algorithms then send you all sorts of information. It is so scary.
I’ve reported many accounts but Meta does not care.
As you said, we’ve gotten to the point where these AI-generated “people” are impossible to distinguish from the real thing. I’m fascinated by dentistry and follow a few dentists on YouTube, only to recently discover one of my favorites was actually fake. And I never would have known if one of the commenters hadn’t noted how real they seemed. Wow. Lesson learned?
That’s a rude awakening. A dentist? Wow.
Great musings on AI. It is beyond scary at this point. I question everything now. But the scariest part for me is that so many people are so gullible.
That’s what scares me too. But the technology is getting so good it’s almost impossible to tell.
I also find the AI generated influencers alarming. I earned a microcredential in AI and believe it is good for certain tasks but certainly not replacing human beings in these contexts. It doesn’t need to solve a problem that does not exist. There are lots of good human influencers out there.
So far I can tell it’s AI, so I don’t click. If I do click by accident , I comment “ AI” . Maybe real posters need to add a sign on their pics saying “REAL “.
It’s getting that way!
Yesterday, at someone’s suggestion, I watched a 45 -minute (or so) video in which Bill Gates discussed a cure for Alzheimer’s disease This is a medication that is natural, and that clears cadmium (to which the video attributes Alzheimer’s) out of the brain, thereby removing Alzheimer’s, not just preventing it. It is very convincing and you can buy the product. The only problem is, Bill Gates isn’t saying this. Steve Martin is interviewed talking about how he reversed his incipient Alzheimer’s. But it isn’t Steve Martin, it is AI. It is all AI. Anyone who watches these videos should say that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and check further.
My husband watched a video of Elon Musk selling a cure for tinnitus except it wasn’t Elon. Many are being duped by these.
My husband fell for this one and it cost him $300! He is a physician and should know better. I don’t have the heart to tell him that it is fake. So far my internal warning system has worked for me on these fakes. Skin too smooth, faces too balanced, figures not in nature. Plus, what are they selling?
I tell my husband because I’m trying to teach him to recognize the AI fakes
I have been following quite a while now. I am a few years older, but ‘was’ approximately the same size, shape, etc. But you have lost weight and look really comfortable – and great. Is it too personal to ask how you are doing it? I feel like I’m losing my lifelong battle. …in Omaha.
I’ve lost about 10 pounds by cutting out empty carbs, only drinking wine on very special occasions and eating much smaller proportions. I no longer snack and have been more diligent with my excercise. We don’t buy bread, crackers or pasta anymore. If it’s not in the house, I can’t reach for it.
Instagram has totally crossed over to a plethora of AI generated posts. It’s funny how seeing these ultra slim women who claim to be my age (75) wearing fabulous clothes and flawless skin can work on your brain. I have a friend who wrings her hands over her health and appearance thinking she doesn’t hit the mark and always fearing the worse. I admit I fall for some of the warnings and advice they dispense but my brain keeps telling me to keep the faith and know the natural process of aging can’t be halted. Good conversation, Jennifer!
These AI accounts are playing on women’s insecurities and they do it well.
Speaking of AI, I see a lot of short videos on facebook that look fake. But a lot also look totally real! I don’t know what to believe anymore! It really is disturbing! P.S. I really like your blue shirt! I also wear “my” neutrals which are navy, black and white. And sometimes bright pink for color!
It’s very disturbing!
Yes I have noticed the AI grandma who looks perfect in every way. That was the first clue for me, she is perfect in every way. No real human can be that perfect. I think it’s quite attractive to a lot of people who do not look any deeper than the surface. Her perfection is a big time trigger for women who have been made to feel inadequate on every level. It makes us question ourselves rather than the image of perfection.
My eyeliner for years has been Bobbie Brown retractable gel pencil style in Chocolate truffle. I buy 2-3 at a time. Recently tried a similar MAC in a lighter brown shade and it’s great too. I’m older and my once big blue eyes are smaller, more grey- blue but I find the browns work best so far ( eye shadow too).
Brown is often softer on pale skin
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for this article on AI and targeting older women. I’m about to turn 66 and find myself looking at FB ads on everything from sagging skin to tummy bulge! Obviously, the more I look the more FB floods me with these ads and you don’t know what or who to believe!
I enjoy reading your emails and seeing the outfits you put together as well as your advice on skin products. It’s good to know that there is some honest advice out there!
Yes the algorithm just feeds us more and more
Oh my gosh, I follow that woman who starts every sentence with “Darling”. I had no idea she was an AI fake!! Good grief, it is getting just ridiculous. Thank-you for the heads-up!
Thank you for your astute observations and careful scrutiny of social media. We can be so naive and gullible without realizing it. We need to be vigilant and demonstrate our hard earned wisdom with our younger relatives and friends.
We do! I worry about my grandsons. What can they believe.
I too came across a similar profile and it was fascinating. I was quite taken with the images of the woman with her new partner…..a mix of Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery and other “manly” men! 🙂 I believe AI images should be clearly identified…disturbing that these accounts are marketed to mature woman as reality. Thank you for highlighting this topic.
I love the grey trench!
I haven’t come across that account but I’m sure I will. Once you watch one, the algorithm feeds you many more.
That sapphire looks great on you. I love color, so of course I’d say that – but it’s true.
Thank you for always keeping it real!
Thank you so much for your comments on AI generated manipulation. You have said out loud what has infuriated me for sometime. Is there any way we can rebel and reclaim authenticity?
I believe the AI cat is out of the bag and there’s no putting it back. All we can do is be careful and question everything we see.
Good morning and Thank you for this post. I read you daily and like your common sense approach to being our best – age, flaws, and all.
Please continue to be a voice for reality.
Thankfully I don’t think I have seen them. I follow very few influencers and they are definitely real. Two have written books and had live signings and I actually ate at the same restaurant as a third. But mostly I follow women who are living real lives and are beautiful without obvious plastic surgery. I find the extreme plastic surgery look destabilizing in general, because even in person, it doesn’t look authentic or even fully human sometimes.
Hi, Jennifer – I must be more jaded than most, or it’s the New Yorker in me, but I long ago started believing that everything online was manipulative. Especially as it pertains to women and beauty. Why are we so desperate that we fall for these scams?