How High Would You Go?

For years I've been intimidated by the Korean skincare line AmorePacific. At a glance, it seemed made for a very particular sort of lady—a lady with a name like Babe or Ina, whose skin doesn't need anything other than, say, a commissioned portrait, because good skin has been her lot ever since her shipping-tycoon grandfather married her swan-necked, alabaster-complexioned grandmother. Let's be honest: The line is pricey, $500-for-a-face-serum pricey. Unfairly, I never went further than occasional back-of-the-hand tests, where all my suspicions seemed to be confirmed—I mean, the smell of it! The creams smell of wealth—literally smell too good to be effective!

OK: I was wrong. I'm just going to say it again, to make sure it really sinks in: I was WRONG. A few months ago, I finally tried the Moisture Bound Vitalizing Cream, the twice-a-week powder exfoliating/scrubby peel thing—and then the $500 Time Response Renewal Serum. When I say I've never had clearer, glowier, better skin, it is a BIG understatement. Best skin ever. Seriously. I started pushing my skin to the limits (What if I only slept four hours? What if I forget to wash my face at night?)—but no, there is no derailing of the best skin ever.

... Last week, I ran out. Already there's an undeniable difference. My question to you, and I really am curious: If you know for a proven fact that a product will give you the best skin of your life, how much are you willing to pay for it?

—Cristina Mueller, senior beauty editor