Make it Pop #01 - Fixing plastic skin in AI images

After months of experimenting with different AI models, one thing has become clear, AI-generated faces still struggle with realism. Even the best image models tend to produce skin that looks too smooth, too flawless, and a little too perfect.

But when you look at real life, even the recent Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, you’ll see that beauty has texture. Every model, no matter how stunning, has pores, subtle lines, and imperfections. That’s what makes them human, and believable.

In AI creative work, that realism matters.

When your generated image looks plasticky, it doesn’t just affect your visuals, it impacts how the story feels. And if you use that image as a base for video generation, that same lack of realism carries through every frame ‼️

Here’s how to create more authentic results:

1. Prompt for texture and imperfection

Get specific about human details:

“Visible pores on nose/cheeks, soft oil sheen on forehead; faint healing pimple on left cheek; micro-hairs along jawline.”

2. Enhance when needed

Even with strong prompts, some models still miss micro-details. That’s where skin enhancers come in.

My go-to is Enhancor.ai, it adds depth and lifelike texture while preserving tone.

Other great options include:

• Magnific.ai: adds natural sharpness and fine detail

• Topaz Face Enhancer: ideal for improving low-res portraits

• Pykaso Skin Enhancer: best for subtle, natural finishes

• xAI has rolled out Grok Imagine v0.9, its upgraded AI video model that’s now free for everyone to use.

• Microsoft announced MAI-Image-1, first image generation model developed entirely in-house, debuting in the top 10 text-to-image models on LMArena.

• Pinterest added new tools that let users limit how much AI-generated content they see on the platform.

• Figma is partnering with Google to embed Gemini AI model directly into the design platform, allowing creators to generate and edit images using text prompts.

• Spotify partnering with music companies: Spotify has announced it is teaming up with Sony, Universal and Warner music groups to develop “responsible” artificial intelligence products that respect artists’ copyright.

• Google launched Veo 3.1 you can now achieve greater creative control with “Ingredients to video” and “First frame & last frame” features (guide link)

🏆 AI creator competitions worth joining

If you’ve got a video or concept brewing, these competitions are open right now, and they’re giving real prizes + visibility to your creative AI work

Thanks for reading.

If this newsletter sparked an idea, share it with a friend who’s building with AI, and hit reply to tell me what you’re experimenting with this week.

Stay curious,

Khulan