SJ Establishment salon has SA’s first PIIQ smart-mirror to chose the perfect hairstyle

Can’t decide on that new look? An Adelaide salon has a new smart-mirror that allows clients to match their facial features to similar celebrities — and choose the ideal hairstyle.

Hairdresser and salon owner Sam James, right, with third-year apprentice Melissa Williams, trying out the new PIIQ smart-mirror. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

• Adelaide’s 50 top hairdressers, voted by you

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what’s the best hairstyle of all?

Prospect hairdresser Sam James’ SJ Establishment is the first South Australian salon to offer its clients the services of a magic mirror.

Known as the PIIQ, the large smart-mirror with an LED display determines a client’s face shape by using advanced facial recognition technology to analyse 120 measurements.

It then shows the client images of celebrities who have similar facial features — from a 2400-strong database with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss and Claire Danes — to help them choose a hairstyle.

But it’s not all magic. The hairdresser operates the mirror though a tablet, entering information about the client’s personal style and lifestyle and their hair’s texture and condition.

After the haircut, the mirror then uses a 360-degree camera with in-built beauty lighting to photograph the client’s new look from all angles.

With the photos stored for future reference, the PIIQ even offers advice on suitable take-home products.

The PIIQ smart-mirror measures clients’ faces with advanced facial recognition technology. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Ms James, who was recently awarded the SA/TAS Hairdresser of the Year Award at the Hair Expo Awards in Sydney for the second year in a row, said the mirror technology was proving popular with her salon’s clients and staff.

“It’s definitely a wow factor for clients and it helps our stylists give a great consultation every time because clients can visualise shapes and styles,” she said.

“The celebrity images aren’t edited like they might be on Instagram, they’re photographs from the red carpet, for example.

“Clients are saying ‘How cool is this’ and asking how it works and if I can make them look like Kate Moss.”

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Originally published as SJ Establishment salon has SA’s first PIIQ smart-mirror to chose the perfect hairstyle