I used Google's Nano Banana to try a bunch of different hairstyles — and the results blew me away

Getting started...

To try out Gemini Nano-Banana’s hairstyle powers, you’ll need to log in and upload a selfie. To do this, simply click the plus button, attach your photo, and you’re ready to go. From there, type your hairstyle prompt into the chat box and hit the arrow icon to generate your new look.

I'd advise starting a fresh conversation for each hairstyle edit you want to generate. Gemini can sometimes get muddled if you pile multiple prompts into the same chat, so keeping them separate gives the most accurate results.

1. Pink wolf cut

The hot pink wolf cut was easily one of the standout edits for me. For one, it's my favorite color and with the layered waves and curtain bangs, it struck that perfect balance between edgy and effortless.

What impressed me most was how achievable it looked — like something I could actually walk into a salon and ask for, without needing a full-blown makeover. Gemini’s edit gave the color real depth, so the pink looked dimensional rather than flat, and the shape of the cut had just the right amount of movement.

Out of all the styles I tested, this edit did make me pause and think: maybe it’s time to task a risk and give this try this in real life.

2. Platinum blonde and pin-straight

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to swap my curls for that ultra-sleek, platinum blonde vibe. You know, the kind of hair that practically glows under café lighting.

Nano Banana didn’t just deliver, it nailed the look without veering totally into Barbie-doll territory. The strands looked silky, the shade was spot-on, and somehow it did still feel like me staring back.

It’s the total opposite of my natural texture and color, which made the transformation even more fun. For a split second, I was ready to start Googling "best purple shampoos", that’s how convincing it looked.

3. Pixie cut

I was really surprised how much I liked this hairstyle. What stood out in this edit was how Gemini managed to keep the texture of my curls intact, rather than smoothing everything into a generic straight crop.

I’ve never taken the plunge with short hair in real life, so seeing this edit was a genuine surprise as I thought it suited me more than I expected. The cut framed my face neatly without looking too severe, and the soft waves gave it personality.

If the pink wolf cut tempted me to be bold, this one made me wonder whether a short, textured chop might actually be the practical change I didn’t know I wanted.

4. Curly and auburn

The auburn mermaid waves felt like the most achievable look of the bunch, and maybe that’s why I warmed to it so quickly. Gemini deepened my natural curls and added a coppery tone that looked rich but more on the natural side.

The color had warmth and dimension, making it easy to picture what this would look like outside of AI editing magic. Compared to some of the bolder transformations this edit felt almost attainable, like something a stylist could recreate with a bit of dye and a diffuser.

If I wanted a noticeable change without straying too far from my roots (literally), this style made the strongest case.

5. Bouncy blow-out

Trying black hair again felt a little nostalgic. I spent a good chunk of my teenage years with jet-black dye that clung to my strands long after I regretted it. What surprised me here was how much more wearable this edit looked.

The shade sat in a neutral space, not too warm or ashy, which gave it a softer finish than I remember. The blowout styling probably sealed the deal: sleek volume, polished ends and movement I could never achieve while sticking to the curly girl method.

Gemini even kept the little baby hairs around my forehead, which stopped the whole thing from feeling too polished, which I appreciated.

6. The mullet

The mullet was the only edit that didn’t quite land for me. While I liked the soft bronzey color, the cut itself felt less flattering — it shifted the shape of my face in a way that didn’t really work.

The layers looked believable enough, but it lacked the balance that some of the other edits managed so well. To be fair, I wasn’t expecting this one to be a favorite, but it was still interesting to see how Gemini handled a trickier, more niche style.

7. Red mermaid-waves

The red mermaid waves leaned bold from the first glance. Unlike the softer auburn edit, this was a true crimson — glossy, saturated and impossible to mistake for natural. What worked was the depth Gemini added to the color, keeping it multi-tonal so it didn’t look like a flat filter dropped on top.

The styling helped too. The long, loose waves that made the color feel luxe rather than harsh. It’s probably the most high-maintenance look of the lot, but also one of the most striking.

If I wanted a dramatic change with maximum impact, this would be the one to beat.