THE HARMONIST
YIN TRANSFORMATION PARFUM

2018

PERFUMER
Guillaume Flavigny

Calypso Orchid
Mandarin
Bulgarian Rose

Almond Milk
Ylang-Ylang
Iris

White Musks
Sandalwood
Benzoin

Describing Yin Transformation is at the same time simple (it smells like Nivea products to me) and hard (how to describe Nivea to someone who hasn’t smelled it?). It’s a fresh, lotion-like fragrance, with a watery and milky texture. It opens with citrus and the softest floral petals imaginable. Freesia gives a cooling effect, but otherwise it’s hard to distinguish any of the notes. Maybe the ylang ylang adds a tropical tinge, but it barely sticks out. Nothing sticks out; this is blended to perfection.

That is, aside from iris. And that’s also where it deviates from the experience with Nivea. I get a healthy dose of iris that dominates the mid section of the wear when smelled up close. There’s some sweetness as well and a fruitiness lingers, though it remains fresh and clean in the drydown.For a scent of this nature the performance is excellent. For reference, I’d say if you like Masque Milano Dolceacqua or even something like Frederic Malle En Passant, give this a try.

Much like Yin and Yang can be seen as contrary and complimentary forces, I can see Yin Transformation being a paradox to some. On one hand it smells extremely good and it’s a nostalgic scent if you grew up around Nivea products, on the other hand it’s a similar scent at about 100x the price of a Nivea cream (they also make a perfume, but I haven’t smelled it). I personally adore this fragrance, although I would rather wear this during a self-care sunday at home, than on social occasions.

Clean doesn’t get much better than Yin Transformation and it’s rare to see it perform so well and be packaged so beautifully, so while pricy, it makes an effort to check all boxes.