$425 Saffron Serum… Yes, saffron is a thing for your skin!

Saffron is without a doubt one of the most valuable and expensive spices in the world. It's not uncommon to spend up to four (even five!) figures on price tags for just a pound of crocuses. This is because the thread-like guns, which are three per flower, are separated by hand, one by one. When you imagine a highly prized spice, you can conjure up images of rich, savory stews and Middle Eastern-influenced rice dishes. Or perhaps you added it to the oil you pour over meat and vegetables. But face serum? Not so much.

That all changed this week when our friends at Yves Saint Laurent Beauté sent us their prized Or Rouge Serum to try. Formulated with saffron harvested once a year from the heights of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the serum can help reduce the appearance of 11 signs of aging– roughness, loss of elasticity, dullness, decrease in elasticity, wrinkles and fine lines, uneven skin tone, visibility of pores, dark spots, redness, sagging and wrinkles of the smile. Yes, this is not a joke. Serums are known to cost more, and this one, at $425 apiece, is no exception. Before opening the container - note: it's adorned with gold - I thought to myself: what if I fall in love with it? Am I ready to spend money on regular purchases? I weighed the pros and cons in my head. Fast forward 10 minutes: I bit the bullet. I was compelled to see what this saffron-enriched serum had to offer. Needless to say, the story doesn't end here.

The focus of this serum is, of course, the rich concentration of saffron; The serum contains twice the concentration of saffron compared to other products of the prestigious Or Rouge line. The silky texture of the serum is incredibly light and refreshes the skin. I really liked its feel and smell, and I quickly realized that this is really a serum to dream about. As for the really special foods, you're best off tasting them. to the last drop— that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Or Rouge Serum, $ 425