It was as easy as 1-2-3. I refer, of course, to the so-called Clinique “computer”. Launched in 1968, the computer was actually a plastic diagnostic tool with a sliding bar — like a beauty abacus — that sat on shiny white counters in department stores and swiped to reveal a personalised solution for your every skincare need. Every skincare need, that is, as long as it was one of four: normal, oily, dry or (more radical at that time when there really weren’t any other options) combination.
一切就像是數1、2、3那樣簡單。我指的當然是倩碧“皮膚分析器”(Clinique computer)。1968年推出的這款皮膚分析器實際上是一臺帶滑桿的塑料診斷儀,看起來就像一個美妝算盤,擺放在百貨商場潔白光亮的柜臺上。劃一下,就可以針對你的每一個護膚需求,顯示出一個定制方案。每一個護膚需求,確切地說,只要屬于以下四種膚質之一:中性、油性、干性或(在那個年代更具創新性,因為當時真的沒有其他任何選擇)混合性。