Microsoft is introducing a virtual makeup option for Teams users with a little help from Maybelline New York.
The Maybelline Beauty app for Microsoft Teams was developed in collaboration with the Geena Davis Institute and is powered using AI provided by Modiface. The end result is access to 12 unique looks for users, who can tweak their digital makeup colors and blur effects before entering (or during) a virtual meeting.
Modiface is owned by Maybelline's parent company L'Oreal and has been developing augmented reality technology for the beauty industry for nearly 15 years. Understandably, the focus has been on nail, hair, and makeup virtual try-on, and the company's technology can track faces with a high level of accuracy especially around the lips and eyes.
Modiface's AI identifies more than 70 points on each user's face in order to create a virtual map that can then be used for the application of digital filters. The Maybelline app takes advantage of this to realistically apply the different looks.
Initially, the Maybelline app will be available in preview mode and rolled out slowly for Microsoft Teams enterprise customers. The 12 unique looks will be available at launch, but the options should increase once the app comes out of preview.
Those users with access to the makeup app can access it before a meeting by navigating to Join meeting > Video Effect > More Video Effects and then scrolling down to select "Maybelline" under the "Filters" category. The available looks should then appear. If you're already in the meeting and want to apply some makeup, simply click More > Video Effects to access the same "Maybelline" section of options.
Back in February, Microsoft rolled out Teams Premium which offered a range of AI-powered meeting features for $10 per user per month. Then in May, Teams users gained the ability to attend meetings as a 3D avatar. Microsoft also redesigned Teams this year to run faster while also using less memory.
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