Not a Hair Out of Place in These Optical Illusions

by Janine Boylan on April 1, 2013

Publicis Communications Schweiz AG, Zurich for L’Oréal Suisse (Switzerland), Garnier Fructis
Photographer: Billy & Hells

Clever Ads That Make You Look Twice

This time it’s your turn to have an Oh, I see moment!

What do you see in these photos?

Hint: Never take anything at face value.

Publicis Communications Schweiz AG, Zurich for L’Oréal Suisse (Switzerland), Garnier Fructis
Photographer: Billy & Hells

Don’t tear your hair out!

Publicis Communications Schweiz AG, Zurich for L’Oréal Suisse (Switzerland), Garnier Fructis
Photographer: Billy & Hells

Did you say, “Oh, I see“?

This clever ad campaign by Publicis for L’Oréal Switzerland for Garnier, Fructis relies on a simple optical illusion: a woman with beautiful flowing hair is positioned perfectly in front of each burly man to look as if her hair is his beard. To add to the illusion, the man hooks his finger in one of her pockets or her belt as if it is his own. The point of the ad is that the shampoo product is good for both men and women.

But they also serve as a reminder that everything deserves some careful thought.

The first time I saw these images, I was scrolling quickly through a series of posts. I didn’t see the optical trick at all on the first one. The second one made me pause. By the third one, I realized the trick and stopped to re-examine all three again.

It reminded me to slow down and really look at things rather than quickly glance and move on.

This is an important reminder in our fast-paced electronic world—especially on April Fool’s Day when tricks can pop up in the least-expected places!

For other imaginative pictures, see Giuseppe Mastromatteo’s Indepensense.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.