Help, I've Fallen in Love With a $750 Face Cream and I Can't Give It Up

By Kelsey Castañon

Updated on 11/10/2018 at 2:35 PM

Courtesy of Amorepacific
Courtesy of Amorepacific
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On a scale from one to Mariah Carey, my fancy meter tracks at a sensible two. I've always preferred to shop for clothes in my roommate's closet (which, in my defense, has incredible steals of free-99) and can count on one hand the amount of times I've splurged on guacamole at Chipotle. In my many years as a beauty editor, I've also learned that "pricey" doesn't always equate to "better" — especially when it comes to skincare.

Still, I'd feel like a Charles Ponzi-level liar if I didn't get this off my chest: I'm in love with a $750 vat of Amorepacific face cream, and I don't know if I can ever let it go.

The Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Crème is an anti-ager that contains a rare (read: $$) part of the green tea tree, of which the brand claims took planting 10,000 trees to find. The proof, though, is in the pudding: within days, it completely changed the texture of my skin — it's never looked brighter, softer, or better without makeup. The formula is so creamy and decadent that smearing it on feels like little baby angels are hugging your face, blessing you with less redness, fewer breakouts, and faded dark spots overnight.

Why such a gift from above has to set you back the same way a Macbook Air might is beyond me, but I'll be guarding my tiny jar from said roommate like Gollum until my prayers of winning the Powerball comes true. Until then, please consider this my formal plea for help.

Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Crème

Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Crème

Better than its luxurious packaging and fancy-pants ingredients history, the Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Crème ($750) just smells good — like the faint whiff that hits you when you walk into a kitchen that's been brewing tea all morning.

Texture

Texture

While the cream is a bit more emollient than your average face cream, a tiny dollop goes a long way and easily spreads across the skin.

Spatula

Spatula

From jade rollers to gua shas, it is clear people are interested in shmancy skincare tools — which is why the fact that this luxe-looking spatula is included with the face cream feels extra special. Use the green end to spread the cream across your face; the gold side works best for your under eye area, cheekbones, and jawline.

Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Crème

Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Crème

The full package, in all its glory. Cue the choir song.

Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Program

Amorepacific Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Program

There is a bright spot for me in all this, however, and it is that I didn't fall in love with the collection's a three-part Prime Reserve Epidynamic Activating Program ($1,200). While it's loaded with a more potent dose of the same ingredients as the cream, separated in three steps, I'll wait until I hit the jackpot before I make that splurge. Obviously, I have the page bookmarked. . .