Digital Beauty Boost: Maybelline Sponsored AI Makeup Filters Arrive on Microsoft Teams

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1:03disagree with me on where I'm going on this. You don't have to listen to the second half of the podcast or you can listen to a different podcast. I record three a day, so go find another one. But without further ado, let's jump into the news on this story. So essentially the headline here is the fact that Microsoft has partnered with a makeup company called MaybeLine and they are essentially creating a new AI powered, you know, quote unquote beauty feature that's designed to quote make people's lives a little easier so now microsoft isn't the first tech company to start something like this we have you know precedent we have other um ai virtual makeup filters that have already been uh produced so similar to this one is going to be similar essentially to the appearance altering effects we see from social media platforms like tiktok's bold glamour feature so coming to microsoft teams this is all going to be done by the cosmetic giant of course MaybeLine.

2:01So the MaybeLine beauty app will provide Teams users with 12 unique looks at launch with the options to select from various blurring effects and digital makeup color options. Each look is going to provide a breakdown of the real world MaybeLine products, right? So MaybeLine is literally trying to get people to try different products or shades or whatever that they have in reality. And I think the idea, you know, being able to replicate their shades with this filter is so that users can create and test what their makeup would actually look like on their face. So companies, I think, often try these, you know, virtual try on experiences to promote the real world products.

2:41But I think, you know, a corporate workplace software is a very strange place to, for Maybelline, right, for a brand partnership, in my opinion, and for Maybelline to, you know, encourage users to get out their their wallets and explore different makeup looks it it's kind of uh it strikes me as strange but maybe not for everyone uh so a screen grab taken from microsoft teams uh shows the new maybe line makeup fillers on that we're going to show up on the right side of the app for people to try on the technology behind this is actually coming from a company called modiface which is an augmented reality company specializing in the beauty industry So this tech powerhouse brought by Maybelline's parent company, L 'Oreal, was actually purchased back in 2018.

3:31And it provides the AI power to essentially power this venture. So the virtual makeup fillers are already a big hit with beauty brands like Sephora and Estee Lauder. And now it seems that Microsoft is kind of getting a taste for this. So to really ensure a wider, quote unquote, appeal, the filters were developed in tandem with Janine Davis Institute, which is a nonprofit that essentially is trying to be more inclusive and have diversity in the media. And the aim was to craft a virtual makeup that is suitable for a broad and diverse population. You know, I think this makes a lot of sense. There's all sorts of makeup that is specifically catered to different demographs, different races that obviously have different skin tones and need different tones of makeup and whatnot.

4:17So it makes sense that they pulled them in to make sure it was applicable for a wide range of people. trisha ayagari who is a global brand president of maybe line new york she said that the company's uh quote whether you are working in person or virtually feeling good about yourself can help you put your best foot forward that's why we partnered with microsoft teams to develop virtual makeup looks now even on the busiest day you can put makeup on with just a click so if you want to go and find this click on beauty enterprise users should check under the video effects tab in Microsoft Teams. So starting today, Teams enterprise customers worldwide can actually find these filters under the video effects tab.

4:58I think there was a reporter recently from TechCrunch that reached out to Microsoft to confirm whether the filters will also be made available for free team users. And I don't believe they will be, but they may change their mind on that. So it seems a bit out of place, in my opinion, to see these kind of quote-unquote beauty filters taking center stage on professional communications app like Teams. I think the trend isn't completely without precedent though Zoom has dabbled with eyebrow and lipstick fillers but I think the line between you know personal and professional life has kind of been blurring in recent years especially with a lot of people working from home and I think the introduction of maybe lines feature in Teams is kind of the next step for a lot of people in in this process So I think the new move doesn't really come without criticism.

5:47A lot of people argue that these fillers, which have, you know, essentially this is an AI that is altering to quote unquote improve your appearance. A lot of people are arguing, you know, this is setting unrealistic body image expectations that can be damaging to mental health. These filters become increasingly advanced and less detectable like TikTok's bold glamour effect. And, you know, this people are arguing that this may affect self-esteem issues. so the demand for these beauty filters persist in work-related apps regardless of the criticism i think with more options and customization the maybe line beauty app in teams is probably going to be a popular one that is very used especially if it's going to make you look better in front of all your colleagues as you think so my opinion on this whole thing is that it's very ridiculous I think it's a borderline unfair that I can roll out of bed, walk down to my computer, take a high-profile meeting in the morning, and not have to do anything.

6:51And my wife, for example, feels like when she has to go and do a meeting with an executive or someone else, she's got to go and spend a long time getting ready for that. Now, I know I may be one of the few that rolls out of bed and goes and takes a meeting. But, and many men may go and spend a long time preparing and doing their hair and everything else or whatever, but I still think this is pretty ridiculous. I think ingraining face-altering software into something like Microsoft Teams to essentially alter our appearances is ridiculous. I think it's an unhealthy trend. I think instead it would probably be better if we just normalized not wearing makeup.

7:35That's my personal opinion. I think obviously you have companies like Sephora that are making a fortune selling it. So that will never happen. There's billion dollar advertising campaigns pretty much exploiting, in my opinion, the insecurities of mostly women to buy all of their products and make them billions of dollars a year. So when there's a billion dollar incentive, I don't think that that is ever going to change. But personally, I think, yeah, I mean, if it was up to me, my opinion is that the solution isn't embedding AI makeup filters or AI facial changers into these different apps. The solution is just normalizing not needing it and that you don't have to have makeup to be a productive member of a corporation and what you look like doesn't really matter.

8:21The only thing that matters is what you're able to produce and what you're able to add to the team. So that's my personal opinion. I'm sure most women and most men disagree with me so that's fine but overall I don't think this is a great move on the AI front, but it's going to be really popular. So it's going to happen regardless. It's already happening on TikTok. It's already happening on most social platforms. And I'm sure this is something that contributes to the overall feeling of anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues that women face. And I guess for me, that's kind of where I'm coming from on my concern with this.

8:57So that's, you know, has my opinion on the topic. I'm sure most people to disagree but anyways um it is an interesting technology it is coming down the line regardless of whether you agree with it or you disagree with it like me um it's coming so i think it's going to be an interesting one to follow and see where this goes in the future will someday we all just be on a video conference call like i believe mark zuckerberg has embedded in some of his ar software we're all like a dragon or an elf or random character who knows only uh only time will tell but uh that's all for today