Yeah, that too...

Several years ago while shopping at the Pentagon City Mall, some coworkers and I walked into a skin care and makeup store, Aura Science.  The store caught my eye because the design and layout of the store looked more like an Apple store but with skin care products instead of computers.  Hanging back thinking that Aura Science's target market was GenX females I watched as the ladies in the store talked to my coworkers about their T-Zones and what type of products would be good for them.

I was looking out across the atrium when a very attractive Afro-American chick approached me and said, "our products are for men too," with a reassuring smile.  What the hell, give it to me.

She took me over to the Aura Science computer, a retro-styled kiosk complete with touch screen.  After answering a couple of questions, the computer calculated that based on my responses, I was a type two.  Next, the saleslady took me over to the Type Two section which had an array of cleansers, lotions, etc. in nicely styled red packages.  In a way, she was less of a salesperson and more like a museum guide showing me the products, explaining the concept of each and at the end of her presentation, she just sort of walked away.

The ladies that were with me started bagging samples so my saleslady did the same.  She hooked me up with foaming cleanser, prep liquid, lotion, eye treat and lip balm.  I put them in my Cole Haan bag and we left.

Later on that night, I was getting ready for bed when I noticed my face was a little dry so I decided I would use the samples that I received that day.  Fishing them out of the Cole Haan bag I remembered what the saleslady said about the lotion, use the cleanser and the prep first.  It's important.

I used the foaming cleanser and I noticed immediately how great my face felt.  Next the liquid prep, then the lotion and off to bed.  The next morning, I felt rested and noticed how great my face looked.  I used the products again that morning and by afternoon, I wanted to get back to the hotel and apply it again!  It made me feel great and as a skeptic, I was completely shocked at how well the products were working.

The samples lasted about two weeks and since I made routine trips to the DC area, I planned to stock up on Aura Science Type Two.  I bought all of the phase products including the Recoup which contained caffeine that was supposed to give you that extra boost after a long night while firming up your victim-of-fun face.  I used the products religiously and they became the subject of many conversations as I turned into a Aura Science evangelist.  Anyone that would listen, I was telling about how good they were.

"You look great," someone would say.

"Well, that is because I am using a new skin care product I found, Aura Science."  I was not just hooked like I was on crank, now I was a pusher too.

After about a year of using the products, one day I found myself getting low on cleanser and decided that on my next trip to DC, I would need to get stocked up again.  I took the subway from Dupont Circle to the mall and made a bee-line for the Aura Science store, even by-passing Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan and the Apple store.  As I rounded the corner I saw the boarded up store, closed.  I almost panicked.  I looked at the items posted on the facade thinking they would contain instructions on where the store had relocated but it was an advertisement on what would be coming to that location.

I must have looked lost because the girl in the store next door called out to me.  "They closed two weeks ago, no warning, just closed.  My friend said Victoria's Secret bought them out.  She still hasn't got her final paycheck from them," she said.  I thanked her and left.

Three months later I got a post card from Aura Science stating that their products could now be found at select Victoria's Secret Beauty stores.  Relieved, I visited the VSB store while again in DC and stocked up.  Later, I found out that my local VSB was now carrying the products and I could not tell you how happy I was.  I told everyone that that they could now buy the products locally.  I had all my friends using it, even Raygo got on board.  Suddenly, the bottom fell out.

I went into the VSB one day to find that all of the phases were gone except phase three.  I asked the salesgirl where the rest of the Aura Science was.  She confidently told me that they were only selling phase three now.  She must have seen the look on my face and followed up with some crap about how tests had been done and VSB found that everyone benefited from phase three just as well as the other phases.

"Then why the computer to calculate a phase to make sure the right product benefited my skin type?"  A blank stare told me she knew nothing more hoping her fake C-cup would rescue her as she leaned over and told me about the new VS scent for men.

Why the computer?  Why the four phases?  I liked my phase two foam cleanser!  The cleanser in phase three wasn't the same as two.  So again, I made a pilgrimage to DC hoping to find the products I had grown to depend on.

Last weekend, the final blow came when Raygo needed some facial cleanser.  We went to VSB and all of the Aura Science phases were gone.  Only a few out-of-phase products remained and a cleanser was not one of them.  Nor was Quench, the lip balm my lips have grown to depend on. 

I've googled trying to find answers.  First, why would Limited/VS buy Aura Science if the products were not selling?  Articles suggested that VS wanted to get into the makeup and facial arena and bought them based on their concepts.  Second, would it be bizarre to consider that they bought the product just to squash it?  These products worked, I can testify to that.