🏫🎓BIC University 🎓🏫

[danielledanielle]

Welcome everyone to BICU Thread!  The only university that's pretty much accept all, serve all. (That's right, there's a 100 percent acceptance rate. )

  

WHAT IS BICU?

• Compounding of various threads (coming soon) to address some beauty basics and further highlight the 🤌🏽🤌🏽 of the BIC.
• Discussion/Exploration in the beauty space where members can post/comment on things they feel the have an expertise on, aka mini member masterclasses.  (Updated to say: think of it as TED talk x BIC 🤣)
• School spirit... Feel free to share any fun beauty gifs and pics here repping BIC  

 miss ya @JeffreyBD 

For a mini masterclass, posting styles suggested are:

• Essay
• Q&A
• Step by step, how to (think like a wikiHow)
• Photo journal
• Listicle
• Dealer's choice (a blend of the above...hey, if you want to teach an all gif lesson, go for it)

The goal is to have a well of personalized info that can be drawn from whenever.  Following social media can be helpful, but it's also nice to have real person tips and tricks.

[danielledanielle]

Face mapping!

I've really enjoyed doing this over the summer.

Here's some base observations

1. Look in the mirror 
2. Take a selfie
3. Mark your shadows and areas to highlight 
4. Underpaint

I also like these images I've gotten for Pinterest 

Face Mapping with blush

Not sure of the original, but contouring by face shape 

Smashbox guide 

[itsfi]

I took a break from trying my hand at nose contouring - I’m being a little fussy about shades but I’m sure I can make something work with the bronzers and contour products in my stash. I just have to spend some time looking for something I like and also a brush. If / when I do, I'll post a brush and product combo to the Perfectly Paired: Share your favorite beauty tool & product pairings thread.

But, I have been spending more time contouring my jawline and while I’m still playing with different contour products, I’ve found THE ONE as far as brushes go for contouring my jawline.  

The shape of the MAC 171 S just lends itself so nicely to dragging and blending the contour product along my jawline for that snatched!!! look, as well as for subtler, more natural contour.

I’ve been gravitating towards cream contour and mainly sticks though I have found success with a shade in the MUFE palette. Will post swatches another day. 

Here's what I've found over the last couple of months to work for me as far as jawline contouring goes on my round face:

• Starting point: underside of jawline. To find my starting point, I think if I were to draw an imaginary line from the outer corners of my mouth to the underside of my jawline. 
• From there, I take the contour product along the underside of my jawline, following the general shape of my jawline outwards, towards my ear lobes, but I stop about 1/2" - 1" from my ear lobes. (See Notes) 
• Then I blend, blend, blend …
• Repeat as necessary. 

TIP/NOTES:

• I’ve seen tutorials where the start of the contour line begins directly below the earlobes or even slightly behind it (near your hair line). This approach will give a much more snatched / defined contoured look. 
• I stop my contour line before my ear lobe as a personal preference - I’ll blend the line of outward so that some color will be deposited below and behind my earlobe but it will be softer and more subtle. Less of a snatched look. This is just a personal preference. 
• For me, taking a selfie has been a better way to see what my contouring efforts look like (vs looking in mirrors).

SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Contour Brush #78 

MAC 171S

Sonia Kashuk No. 179

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick Amber 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Contour Stick 

DIOR Forever Skin Cream Contour Sculpting Face Stick 

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand 

Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus

Catrice Magic Shaper Contour & Glow Stick

MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer® (excellent for underpainting)

[danielledanielle]

I love your thought process.  And.. .Oooh, that thread calls to me.. That might be the thread I "live in" @itsfi , that's a low-key obsession, product to tool matching... The forever hunt.  Love it.

I love amber for lighter times and remember when it was released.  That Mac brush btw 👀

I think I mildly fractured my nose last summer.. which at best is superficial and mildly detectable, so no worries..I have a little nose bump that I sometimes contour underneath.  So, in a sense, I fracture my nose contour, maybe play with various thickness of contour lines?  I think you asked if I like HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm Contour Stick Silhouette better than Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick Truffle which I meant to answer, but probably for distracted, my bad .. They are equivocal since they have different purposes.

Truffle: warmer, mine is old so drier and harder to blend out, BUT, great in cheek area with various products and easy to use for inner eye corner. 

Silhouette: very balmy, cooler, blends out much easier but requires going back to layer.. Which is why I think I went through it so quickly .

They both can be use precision wise, the HL is narrow and the Fenty, I just slant it, and it'll flatten out on a side.

[itsfi]

Oh my gosh, move on in to that thread, girl!! 😃 I'd love to learn about what tool-product combo's your loving or trying out @danielledanielle!

Would love to hear from folks about what's working for them, but completely understand that may not be everyone's thing. At the very least, it'll be a space where I can catalog what I'm currently liking and get feedback from others on either what I'm using or recommendations for what they've tried and liked with that particular brush or product. And for others to be able to use it as a resource too would be awesome. I'm also hoping it will serve as a reminder of what I already have and in that regard, help to curb any knee jerk reaction to pick up another << name a tool or product, any tool or product 😂 >>

Yes, the forever hunt ... I mean, it's often a really fun hunt because there's a lot of really nice brushes out there! 😆 Ahhhh, this MAC 171S is quite good! Made this month's monthly faves. Hoping it's part of the MAC stock that makes its way to Sephora later this year. 

I didn't think I'd be so finicky about my nose contouring shade but undertones are really becoming a sticking point for me of late, lol. I like the VBB contour stylo in that it's thin (even though there's not a lot of product) but the shade I was using was too warm, too goldeny-orange and too ... nope, not for my nose. 😅 I have the next shade, a darker, more cool toned hue that I'll try next, along with maybe the MUFE palette, Sephora Collection contour stick, and/or Dior contour stick. Going to pair them with the rephr spatula prototype and/or an eye blending brush. If none of those work out, I'll sift through my collection of Kbeauty or Jbeauty contour products. I've got options, which is great; I just need to carve out some time to practice and play. 

[Titian06]

Thanks for this info, @danielledanielle !  I might give the selfie a try out of curiosity. 🤗

[danielledanielle]

@Titian06 , @CynthieLu It's pretty fun, I dug into my phone because I've been meaning to do this and used the highlight option to map.

 

Underpainting 

End result

(If you don't want to post your face, feel free to keep the selfie to yourself, you can see if there are any face charts similar to you and post these instead) 👇🏽

https://stock adobe com/search?k=makeup+face+chart

Just add '.' where there are spaces

[Titian06]

@danielledanielle @CynthieLu - I finally took a pic this morning.  Trying to find an online pic was impossible.  None matched where my hi- and lo-lights are.  My loan highlight is a big blob right in the middle of my huge forehead.  My shadows are right below my cheekbones, which is where I wear my blush.  I should mention I have a square face.  This may explain why when I wear my bronzer as blush, it always looks so good. 🤔

[danielledanielle]

@Titian06 , interesting!  You may have the hexagon face shape actually (or oblong?), and that makes perfect sense.  

I think I'm oblong? But, also somehow oval? Am I....Obvlong...Heh.  I sometimes use a white powder in the center to highlight my forehead and it works.  Even if you don't have a lot of shadows, face mapping is just as much as about highlighting as it is shadows.

[CynthieLu]

Thank for the visuals @danielledanielle it's very helpful. 🙏 I haven't attempted it yet but it's on my to do list to try. 

[CynthieLu]

Ooooh this is interesting @danielledanielle. You've been experimenting with this? I think I'm going to give it a try. I like the idea of using a selfie to help do the mapping. That's a good idea! 💡

[danielledanielle]

Ooop, the master has beaten me to this 🤣

Danessa Masterclasses on the way, sign up on the direct site.  You have to register/full out a form, but it's free!  

There's also a class this Sunday, not sure if spots are still available.

❌ Posting to The Danessa Myricks Beauty Thread 

 

[itsfi]

FLATLAY SKILLSHOP 101  

MODULE 3: Arrangement & Editing ~ February 3 - 16

• Beware of ... Glare, reflection, and photobombing your own shot with your thumb, foot, etc.

It happens. We've all taken photos where there's a glare or reflection. Or, one or more body parts ends up in the frame. Sometimes we catch them, sometimes we don't. Not all of these need to be edited - sometimes the glare, reflection or photobomb adds something to the photo. On occasion though, you may be able to crop or edit out the thumb, foot, etc. that accidently finds its way into your frame. Or, you may need to reshoot the photo to get it the way you want.

One way that I've been able to minimize the occasions where a glare, reflection or photobomb can happen is to take a test shot and see if any of those elements are present. When I first started taking photos on BIC, I would set up my layout, take a photo, and then look at it to see if there were any elements that I didn't like or want in my frame. I'd also take a look to see if there was anything out of range or that didn't suit my eye or my preference for how I wanted the shot to look. I would then reset the layout or I'd keep the layout but shoot from a different angle or position. I'd repeat the process of looking at and assessing the photo. It seems onerous. It was. But, that's how I personally undertook my flatlays in the very beginning. I took photos in the same spot and over time, with enough shots, I generally got an idea for what I was working with regarding angles, reflections, shadows, etc. at a certain time of day and how I needed to get the photo(s) I wanted or found acceptable. 

Another approach is to layout your products and set up your shot and then take as many photos as you can. The idea here is that with so many photos taken, you'll have more options to choose from. You'll also have more photos to look through but if you have the time and patience - and attention to detail - this can work out well. 

• Arranging Your Flat Lay / Framing Your Shot 

This is where playing around with different arrangements and practicing different layouts over time can be helpful - for both learning different options for how to frame your shot and find your style. There are a few general approaches to arrange your photos:

1.  Linear - the items in your flat lay are placed in straight lines, arranged parallel or perpendicular to one another. This creates a very neat and organized look. 
2. Random - for this arrangement, there's usually one product that will serve as the focal point of your photo and is typically placed front and center of the frame to stand out. Everything else - other product(s) and prop are then placed randomly around that product. You'll edit that randomness to create a more cohesive "random" looking shot. 
3. Reflecting Real Life or In Practice / Use - the core of this set up is to arrange your products how they would be used or how you might expect to find them in real life. An example of this is have your makeup compact and/or lipstick coming out of your purse or various pieces of makeup coming out of your cosmetics bag.

Other concepts to consider or think about as you set up your flat lays (or as you try different arrangements) to see what suits your eye and as you work on developing a style that is unique to you, include:

1. Balance: Items are placed in such a way as to create a symmetrical look and feel to the entire shot/frame. 
2. Rule of Thirds: Your frame is divided horizontally and vertically into thirds. The technique is well described with examples from some fabulous BIC members here --> A Year of Beauty- Photography Challenge-... - Beauty Insider Community
3. Negative Space: Not every empty space in your flat lay needs to be filled up. You can create a beautifully artistic shot with keeping empty space in your frame empty.
4. Layering / Stacking Products or Layering Products & Props: This can be d`one or practical as well as artistic reasons. They're also not mutually exclusive - layering products and prop for practical purposes (e.g., to keep a product in place / from rolling off the table or to minimize glare, reflection or photobombing) can create a very aesthetically appealing photo.

• Putting It All Together

Lighting, angle, props, background, arrangement, editing.  It's time to put it all together. 

ASSIGNMENTS:

📚  Assignment No. 1:

Try at least one, if not all three, of the different approaches to arranging your flat lay. Linear - Random - Reflecting Real Life

📚  Assignment No. 2: 

Try at least one (or all 4) of the additional concepts for arranging your flat lay shot. Balance - Rule of Thirds - Negative Space - Layering / Stacking Products & Props.

📚  Assignment No. 3: 

Put together a frame that incorporates all of the Modules and your personal style.

Examples for Assignment Nos. 1 & 2 will be posted shortly, as a reply to this post.

[itsfi]

Module 3 Examples (for Assignment Nos. 1 & 2)

Linear Layouts:

Spoiler

And, linear with a twist:

Random:

Spoiler

In Real Life:

Spoiler

In Real Life + Linear
In Real Life + Random

Other:

Spoiler

Random with layered / staggered pieces (Patrick Ta Cheek Duo over MAC Luxe Lucky palette)

Rule of Thirds

These photos ⬇️ are more included because I'm very happy that Rhode is making its way to Sephora. 😉🙌 @danielledanielle @ather @peculiarzmakeup 
Random
Rhode layout cropped

[danielledanielle]

Sorry Professor @itsfi , I'm very late, but I think my work is at least passing

Random/stacked

Random ..I also have a rule of third for this that won't post 😔

In Real life 🤷🏽‍♀️, the cap is off

Linear - liked it so much this was a haul photo, too

In Real Life... These are all washed and ready to go, thought the flat lay version was interesting

Spoiler

Head on

Random

IRL, another practice made haul photo

Linear -ish

[itsfi]

More than passing @danielledanielle! 🎓 You have no need to apologize whatsoever. Oh, that random/stacked Pat McGrath shot is beautiful. Fab idea to share a photo of the makeup brushes and brush stand from over head and head on. I 100% agree - love that linear brush haul photo! 😍  Ahh, rule of thirds. I do try my hand at that from time to time still.

I really appreciate you putting yourself (and your photos) out there, in addition to taking part in the skillshops. It took me a lot more time than I anticipated to put the "lessons" together (though I suppose I could have been less detailed 🤔). It's been a lot of fun to see your photos, in the hauls thread and here, and to see your style evolve. Motivating and encouraging, too, to see how you try different things. 👍

Question(s) for you - 

1.  What was your favorite photo you took during the skillshops? What made it your favorite?

2.  Which skillshop topic would you want to focus more time on?

You're totally ready to do your own flatlay on the fly photo shoot. 📸

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi, thanks to you.  This was fun.  I think just having your thought process + step by steps/recommendations is amazing and will serve as a guide always.

Here it is!  BIC has a weird thing with some of my photos that are still from GIFs, even if it's the size limit.  I tried seeing if I could upload it to the gallery and voila! It does ... So I screenshot'ed my own photo 😂🤷🏽‍♀️

This is my favorite.  I think more lighting and lighting exposures would be helpful.

[itsfi]

@danielledanielle, that's kind of you to say; thank you. 

That's a very artistic shot. 😍 Completely understand how it's a favorite. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo I love this lesson! What’s your favourite layout? 

I really like the in real life layout! It is so refreshing! And it’s nice to see how people have their products in their house. Gives me a sense of who they are! I love it! 😍 

[itsfi]

Awwww, thank you @ather! I look through these frames and there are a host of things that it brings back (like what I did with setting up the shot or where it took place) and I also look at it with an eye of editing the photos or if I could, rearranging them just so. 😆 I do appreciate the memories looking back at these photos has brought back and I also appreciate seeing how I set up certain shots and thinking through how I would modify them now, and why. I wasn't going do these flatlay skillshops but those two things I've gotten from it personally, along with a few other takeaways, have been lovely. 

I wholeheartedly agree - I do enjoy seeing in real life layouts, with or without editing. That's not to say I don't appreciate and enjoy more staged photos, because there are some that I absolutely am floored and inspired by - whether they're doing it as part of their livelihood or just because. There's a few folks, outside of BIC and in it, whose photo aesthetic and their eye for capturing a look, are just so beautiful. Some are editorial, some have a sense of calm to them, some action packed or with movement (in a still frame, no less). Each though has their own look and feel and you see it.  A couple I've seen them do their thing live, either in a video or in person, and it's incredible. 

But I got sideways of your ask; sorry about that. I like the in real life shot of the foundations - a lot of things just came together for that shot to happen - it's one of those shots where I couldn't have staged it to look this way even if I tried. I was just sitting at the end of my bed and took the shot just to see if the lightin was good. I like the Rule of Thirds shot because it took me a lot of time and a lot of test shots to even understand the rule and I had much help from two very patient friends here. I also like it because if I look at it a certain way, the lighting in the  back makes it look like there's some movement (but there's not). I like the general layout of the background and side pieces in the in real life + random shot becuase it is how a part of my table looked but my brain is telling me "you need to edit this, this, and that; move this here and then shoot it." Ha! But I can recall what was going through my mind when I did take the shot. Ahhh, all these lessons learned just looking through these now. 

[itsfi]

FLATLAY SKILLSHOP 101 

MODULE 2: Background & Props - January 20 - February 2

This is probably the module that may garner the most interest. I get it, it's more fun and glamorous. If lighting and angles are the foundation and structure, background and props are the interior design part of building a house. 

• Using What You Already Have On Hand - Background and props can be found among the things you already have in your home. I find those to be some of the best things to use, as it's unique to you (versus copying what someone else has or has used). It also provides a glimpse of your own, individual style, and personality and that's always fun. Those are some of the things that my eyes often gravitate towards.

• Keeping It Simple vs Being Extra - Sometimes less is more. Other times, more is more. One thing to keep in mind with either approach is the proportion of the props to your products. 

ASSIGNMENTS

📚  Assignment #1 - Focus on Background. Lay out your products on one or two backgrounds. Remember to try the shots from different angles as well as head on and overhead. If possible, try taking photos with the background with different lighting - natural and artificial. Post a photo of the same products on at least two different backgrounds - the photos can be either a flatlay or head on set up, your choice. 

📚  Assignment #2 - Focus on Props. Pick out your props.

• 2a - Take a flatlay shot with your products and prop(s). Make adjustments for lighting and angles, if and as necessary.
• 2b - Take a head on photo with your products and prop(s).  Adjust for lighting and angles, if and as necessary.

📚  Assignment #3 - Putting it together - Background and Props. If you'd like, you can change out any or all of the components used thus far - products, background and props. You don't have to use the the same products, background or props as you did for Assignment #1 or Assigment #2. However, the same products, background and props should be used for both Assigngments #s 3a and 3b

• 3a - Arrange everything together in a flatlay
• 3b - Arrange everything together in a head on shot.

I'll include examples of for these assigments in a reply to this post shortly. 

Questions after completing Module 2:

1.  With respect to Assignment #3, what did you like about each shot (3a and 3b)?

2.  With respect to Assignment #3, what, if anything, would you change or do / set up differently for the photos for parts 3a and 3b. NOTE: If you're pleased with your photo, it's absolutely fine to say, "Nothing" or "I wouldn't change or do anything different."