Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 – New Perfume Review + Yin and Yang Draw

Digital art by Mariana Palova, Musetouch Visual Arts Magazine

In Taoist philosophy, the concept of Yin and Yang is one of simultaneous contrast and integration, of complementarity and opposition, represented by dark and light, moon and sun, concept and thing. As Histoires de Parfums describes it: “every element in the universe has its own opposite: feminine-masculine, day-night, fire-water, natural-synthetic…Yin & Yang are two complementary forces that are interdependent on one another. They are two aspects of the same reality.”

Histoires de Parfums Gerald Ghislain

And indeed, This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5, the newest iterations of Creative Director Gerald Ghislain’s “This is Not a Blue Bottle” series, each represent a distinctively different style and use of ingredients.  Not only do the two fragrances contrast with each other, they have an internal yin and yang. Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 are made up of little contradictions, notes that merge and part before jutting up against each other and receding in ripples.

Yin Yang by Cristina Mirzakhanian©

On the blank leaf glued to the inner back cover I drew the double curve within the circle, and blacked the yin half of the symbol, then pushed it back to my companion.’Do you know that sign?’ He looked at it a long time with a strange look, but he said, ‘No.’ ‘It’s found on Earth, and on Hain-Davenant, and on Chiffewar. It is yin and yang. Light is the left hand of darkness… how did it go? Light, dark. Fear, courage. Cold, warmth. Female, male. It is yourself, Therem. Both and one. A shadow on snow.’” Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness

Private Moon installation by Leonid Tishkov©

With its dreamy, purple-grey lushness,1.4 is perfumer Sylvie Jourdet’s rendering of yin, which is composed of 100 percent natural ingredients. This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 is fruit just at the tipping point of over-ripeness mulled with sweet spice and soaked in resins. Jourdet brilliantly captures the coolness of yin in the opening. That anisic, rain-soaked smell that lavender has on a spring morning, with hints of soil and pine, breathes out of the bottle. At the same time, a strange combination of notes, as unsettlingly lovely as a minor key can be. Cardamom, with its charcoal-wood sweetness, curls around the lavender and softens it into a charcoal smudginess.

The Tide by Seraph-Eden Carr©

Then come the ripe fruit smells; the sleepy syrup of davana, with its overripe tree fruit, and fleshy ylang. Pairing the chilly, spruce-tree aroma of lavender with the banana-butter sweetness of ylang is inspired. As This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 warms on the skin, the resins surface like oil paint on water, and yin begins to beckon to yang. Sweet and savory notes play off each other, while the cool of the lavender brushes up against the hint of sweat brought by labdanum. The damp leaf of patchouli and cool crushed lavender, the smells of plants grown under a shy sun, juxtapose and merge with the warm spice and richness of the resins, creating an internal ebb and flow of cool-warm, masculine-feminine, earthly and lunar. Notes: Davana, lavender, cardamom, ylang-ylang, tonka bean, benzoin, labdanum, patchouli and opoponax.

Olafur Eliassons The Weather Project, Tate Gallery, 2003©

If you smell Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.5, as soon as 1.4 finishes her trajectory, it is as momentarily startling as listening to Philip Glass right after Ravel. After the earthiness of 1.4, there is starkness in the absence of familiar, notes. 1.5 an oblique contrast; a perfume created entirely of synthetic molecules, hinting at ideas of nature rather than nature itself. This is the embodiment of Yang, with its unflinching brightness. In the hands of perfumer Luca Maffei, This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.5 is a fragrance of waking, newness, contradiction; the glare of sun on a cold winter landscape.

Photo by Txema Yeste for Numero, Feb 2014©

Aldehydes spark the opening like a match against flint: an abrupt, brilliant flare that is held in place by some quick-arriving lemon-petit grain citrus. Ambroxan, a bold, vetiver-like molecule, can get high-handed with other notes, but here is balanced by mineral notes that enter in alongside it. The effect of This is Not a Blue Bottle1.5 at this point is dichotomous: the aldehydes continue their glinting sunlight chorus, while the conjoining aromas of mineral, ozonic notes and ambroxan, suggest water over stone. Maffei cleverly brings the contrast of heat and chill in a mirror-image reverse of 1.4, the cool notes emerging gradually after the intense radiance of the opening. Notes: aldehydes, citruses, ozonic notes, ambroxan, musk T, karismal super, floral fantasy, ambroxan and mineral notes.

Kiss 05, photo by Andy Barter©

Both Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 reflect and embrace each other in subtle ways. The floral, spiced fecundity of 1.4 suggests scents of things warmed and ripened under the sun. With its contrasting solar, mineral and sea notes, 1.5 alludes to the tides, drawing their motion from the moon. And it is fascinating to layer them. Spray 1.4 on top of 1.5, and the fruit note sharpens with citrus and becomes less roundly feminine, the cardamom asserting itself in tandem with ambroxan, sweetness muted. Reverse the order, and 1.5 becomes an angular fruity-spice scent, spikes of citrus and aldehyde piercing the sweetness and, unexpectedly, heightening the labdanum, becoming more female. Taken separately, each perfume holds a looking glass to the other, but is complete by itself. But together they unite their contrasting elements into something harmoniously lovely. They become an olfactory embodiment of yin and yang.

Disclaimer: Perfume samples of Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 generously provided by the Company. Opinions are my own.

Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

 Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5

Thanks to the generosity of Gerald Ghislain and Histoires de Parfums, we have a 15 ml bottle set of Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 for one registered reader in the U.S., EU or Canada. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appealed to you about Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 based on Lauryn’s reviews,  and where you live. They are designed to mix together or stand-alone…what would you do? Draw ends 3.11.2018.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our RSS blog feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

70 − 62 =

33 comments

  • Those bottles look really cool and the notes sounds interesting, especially the sea/ozonic and ambroxan. I would love to try them so this is a great chance, thanks for the draw, i live in the EU.

  • fazalcheema says:

    This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.4 and 1.5 perfumes are full of contrast, paying homage to the yin-yang concept in Taoist philosophy. The bottles also reflect the yin-yang inspiration. There are fruity, floral, and aldehydic elements and the fragrances can be worn alone or layered with each other. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in US

  • Fascinating to pair a natural with an entirely synthetic fragrance. 1.4’s notes are right up my alley, but curious about 1.5. Thanks for a great draw. I am in the US.

  • I like the idea of the 2 bottles and the House of Histoire de Parfums.
    This will be interesting to play around with and blend. Thank you for this report and giveaway. Hope to try
    California

  • NiceVULady says:

    I sort of had this sense of weaving back and forth is the review, almost like a palm frond moving gently in the wind. I would probably start by sampling each one individually and then putting the two together. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Amy Maloney says:

    I especially liked Lauryn’s use of the metaphor of painting to describe 1.4 and comparing the startling change when smelling 1.5 as if listening to “Philip Glass after Ravel…” great descriptions! I’m sure I’d tend to layer the two together, as layering scents is something I tend to do anyway. Thanks for the draw, I live in the U.S.

  • what i like is that they contradict each other. i would definitely mix them as i like complex fragrances as opposed to linear scents.U.S.A.

  • This is an interesting concept. I like the idea that you can layer them in different order and at different proportions to get a different result each time. I’d surely love to experiment! Thanks for the draw! I live in France.

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    I love the yin and yang concept and I would definitely experiment in layering these should I be so fortunate to win. I reside in the United States. Thank you for the draw!

  • Esther Bausch says:

    I’m mix them together because Ying can’t live without Yang.
    Very intriguing this concept.
    Thanks for the draw! I live in the Netherlands

  • I realy enjoyed this review..interesting story about This is Not a Bleu Bottle perfume creation’s concept..Great idea about Ying and Yang!
    I will not mix this perfume.
    USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Very interesting. The notes are interesting, the banana butter seems piques my curiosity. I am not big on “fragrance combining”, I prefer to leave it to a master artist to create a masterpiece on it’s own. I think possible this could be a good his/hers fragrance to compliment. My hubby rarely wears fragrance because he doesn’t want to clash with what I have going on. My favorite of this line is Moulin Rouge, wore it last night. Thanks for the chance. US.

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    The concept of cool/warm customized mixing at the discretion of the user is appealing. I own a Fred Segal 10-pc blending kit and I love enhancing my mood by having control over my personal scent aura. I would first try each Blue Bottle separately to get a feel for each’s notes and relative intensities, then combine with this knowledge. I live in the US and thank you for the draw.

  • very interesting to know about history of creation this perfume- good idea, but not new!!! Mostly I like this part: “The damp leaf of patchouli and cool crushed lavender, the smells of plants grown under a shy sun, juxtapose and merge with the warm spice and richness of the resins..”
    I tested This is NOT a Blue Bottle and I like it.
    If Lauryn recommend I will layer this two perfumes)
    USA

  • Mr_Sillage says:

    Wow, thank you Lauryn for such a great article on this amazing house’s new releases! They sound great on their own ACS i can’t imagine the incredible scent that make when combined! The notes in TINABB 1.4 ARE REALLY APPEALING to me and sound so wonderfully blended ACS the synthetic composition of TINABB 1.5 are HIGHLY INTRIGUING! I LOVE HOW LAURYN said the fragrances “reflect and embrace” each other. Sounds DELIGHTFUL! THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I LIVE IN THE UNITED States

  • I love the whole concept of yin and yang. I have a room that has the decor of it that is asian-inspired.

    I really like the quote “Light, dark. Fear, courage. Cold, warmth. Female, male. It is yourself, Therem. Both and one. A shadow on snow.”

    Both scents sound interesting, particularly 1.4 because I love patchouli. But I’d definitely layer them to have the florals from 1.5 intermingle with the patchouli and lavender in 1.4.
    I live in the US.

  • fleurdelys says:

    I love the concept of contrasts. We all need contrast and integration at the same time like in the Taoist philosophy. I would certainly mix them in different quantities and at different stages. This launch is very creative and deserves appreciation.
    Thank you for the draw.
    I’m from the EU.

  • It is such a rare occurence to come across natural perfume by classicaly trained perfumers, I usually don’t pass a chance to try them. Artisan, six scents and now histoires. I love many of their releases so I really have high expectations from 1.4. (not trying to undermine 1.5)
    The idea of two contrasting fragrances that can be layered is also somewhat appealing but it doesn’t excite me by itself.

    EU resident here

  • What appeals to me about these? What doesn’t! All natural perfumes, designed by the same company that made 1826. Even the shade of blue they chose is a delight to me. I think I might wear both at once.maybe not 50-50 mix. I live in Canada, and thank you for this opportunity

  • Thank you so much for all the comments. These perfumes really do work in a reflexive, almost responsive way together. I hope you all get the chance to try them together.

  • I would most definitely try mixing them but as a Jo Malone fan I’ve found I like wearing single scents more often than blending them. I have always been fascinated by yin and yang principles in everyday life and am intrigued to see them used in perfumery. I am in the U.S.

  • doveskylark says:

    Lauryn’s review made me feel the creative power of Gerard Ghislain’s creations. I love the whole idea of yin and yang. And anything with cardamom appeals to me. I certainly would mix 1.4 and 1.5. I love experimenting by combining different fragrances. I live in the USA.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    I would blend or layer both perfumes in different parts. I love experimenting and layering perfumes. The results can be surprising. The idea of natural and syntethic perfumes blended together excites me.
    Thank you for bringing us beautiful reviews.
    I live in the EU.

  • Author Le Guin’s works have been much in the news lately, and on a whim a few weeks ago I borrowed a copy of The Left Hand of Darkness from my city’s library. Reaching the end of the story a few days ago left me feeling thoughtful and also bereft. The story is stark and brutal and yet it is about love and longing as well. Genly’s words to Therem are as breathtaking to read here as they were when I read them in the novel.

    1.4’s lavender plus ylang-ylang and 1.5’s ambroxan with mineral notes bring to mind opposites that enrich one another rather than cancel each other out. Soft moss growing on a boulder. Frost on a dark windowpane. The brief bloom of flowers in the desert. I would wear them together. And the bottles’ designs are marvelous. I am in the US. Thank you to Gerard, Lauryn, and CaFleureBon for the enticing review, artwork, and generous draw.

  • This is such a wonderful way of reviewing two very different perfume I guess I would never expect natural from HdP and thst appeals to me. I love Luca Maffei so maybe I lean towards the little blue bottle 1.5 but I would enjoy both
    Thank you from USA

  • Thanks for great review Lauryn. I love some of these amazing photos in article especially the glowing moon on the ground. Great concept the yin n yang combo and how the fragrances are different the order you layer them.I love layering fragrances already you can get some mind blowing results when the right two come together thats why im so intrigued to try this fragrance combo out so for sure i’d mix them 🙂 Bottles are really pretty also.

    Thanks for review and giveaway .

    Canada

  • Lovely review Lauryn especially the part where you metaphor the finishing of 1.4 to 1.5 experience as:
    “If you smell Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.5, as soon as 1.4 finishes her trajectory, it is as momentarily startling as listening to Philip Glass right after Ravel.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    After the earthiness of 1.4, there is starkness in the absence of familiar, notes. 1.5 an oblique contrast; a perfume created entirely of synthetic molecules, hinting at ideas of nature rather than nature itself”
    Loved the metaphor and use of music to describe the two scents.
    I would really love to experience both so I would definitely mix them. Amazing both review and artistic pictures of yin and yang.
    I live in EU. Thank you for this draw!

  • Great review! I find the concept of synthetic vs. natural and then the layering of the two interesting. I’m not the type to layer but I’d certainly try it with these.
    Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US.