Agonist Say Yes Review (Fabrice Pellegrin) + What The World Needs Now Draw

 

photo via Agonist ©

Niclas and Christine Lydeen, founders of the Award winning Swedish perfume house Agonist, describe their latest creation Agonist Say Yes as  "…a celebration of the art of Saying Yes to life… Say Yes is a scent that triggers positive change… embraces you with energy to feel brave, have trust and share joy and happiness." Can one perfume do all of that? I have to Say Yes – absolutely! Containing less alcohol than most fragrances on the market and a high concentration of the finest raw materials, Agonist Say Yes is a unisex scent that delivers its message of beauty and power via an extraordinary juxtaposition of gourmand, floral and woody notes.

Island Sunset photo by Gail©

Imagine a tropical island vacation. You are lounging on the lanai at sunset, sharing a delicately sweet and weightless hazelnut dessert with someone you love.  A fresh breeze, scented with the perfumes of blossoms and flowering trees, rustles the table linens, soothing your skin and renewing your spirit. Agonist Say Yes brings this scenario to life.

Hazelnut torte and plumeria photo collage by Gail Gross©️

The first taste of Say Yes is an irresistible pairing of hazelnut and dried fig. Hints of cream and the mild nutty aroma of freshly toasted hazelnuts balance the dark sugar and the woody, slightly waxen taste of dried fig. This initial gourmand encounter is kept fresh with a nuance of green, mouthwatering bergamot. 

Plumeria Pools by Kim Mcdonald©️

After about five minutes I begin to sense the spirit of the islands, the honeyed, ethereal breath of frangipani (Plumeria) caressing my skin. The Heart of Agonist Say Yes is an exquisite zephyr composed of impressions of soft muted jasmine and suggestions of smooth vanilla supporting the ever so subtle, airy white-flower aromas of golden frangipani. This is the unmistakable scent of tropical island air, the perfume of leis and love spells. The floral magic lingers for hours, all the while supported by the equally magical and spiritual effects of a Cambodian style oud accord, Mysore-type sandalwood and the perfect compliment of resinous, balsamic amber.

Collage of  Say Yes with flowers © Gail

The word "agonist" is defined, in reference to biochemistry, as "a substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor". Agonist Say Yes, housed in the beautiful clean lines of glass bottles by Åsa Jungnelius and the Kosta Boda Glassworks, encourages a specific response that the world so desperately needs right now, a pronounced feeling of happiness and a scented message of peace, love and joy. "Our Swedish values of transparency, collaboration and equality always push us to explore new ways of adding beauty and power to the world." – Niclas and Christine Lydeen, Agonist Parfums. Notes:  Bergamot, hazelnut, dried fig, jasmine, frangipani, vanilla, oud, amber and sandalwood.

Disclaimer:  I would like to thank Intertrade Europe for my sample of Agonist Say Yes.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Thanks to the generosity of Intertrade Europe and Agonist Parfums, we have one bottle/ $195 for one registered reader in the USA. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Agonist Say Yes, based on Gail’s review. You can also tell us about one special place that brings you joy, happiness and peace.  Draw closes 11/9/2018

Say Yes is available at Fumerie Parfumerie  in Portland and online at fumerie.com where you can also buy a sample for $6

Follow us on Instagram: @cafleurebon, @azarsmith7 and @agonistparfums

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

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36 comments

  • middleagedandmixed says:

    Gail had me at toasted hazelnuts & dried figs. Kyoto always brings me happiness and peace. Cheers from Washington state.

  • Nancy Austin says:

    Gail’s review reminds me of Tahiti, the hazelnuts near Yahats, and the exotic rose rich garden on Kutchi Ziba. One of the most amazing fragrances that I’ve ever worn was a frangipani perfume. I’ve never found anything like it again! Would love to enjoy this offering … I say YES, please!

  • Alen says:

    Great review. Fig, frangipani and oud must be a winner. I like everything about this one, the bottle, the name of the perfume, also the house name sounds super cool “Antagonist”. Thanks for the nice draw, US.

  • Maya says:

    Gail had me at “tropical island”. The tropics always make me happy. Rum helps too. 😉
    I have been curious about Agonist for a while now but have not gotten around to trying any. Say Yes is a great name and the perfume sounds wonderful for someone like me who likes fragrant reminders of warm, sunny, and happy places. For me, plumeria is THE smell of tropical islands. I love it. USA.

  • CuriousG says:

    I have heard a lot about agonist perfumes but didn’t know they were from Sweden
    Sounds really beautiful, sandalwood hazelnut oud and frangipani
    I find joy in warm sunny places

  • fazalcheema says:

    Agonist Say Yes is an interesting name. The perfume would be creative to wear when winning a date or making a romantic proposal. The notes and style fits with the name as gourmand notes are now in vogue and being embraced by both sides. The addition of woody elements makes this seem unisex. I think NYC brings me joy and happiness as it is my most favorite place on earth. I am in US.

  • doowtnehpets says:

    The note breakdown sounds fantastic, I like the description “a juxtaposition of gourmand, floral and woody notes” in Gail’s review. The place that brings me joy, peace and happiness is home with my family, enjoying the day together. Nothing more special.

  • Teresa says:

    What the world needs now is positivity and what is more positive than ‘Say(ing) Yes’! What a surprise that this perfume house is from Sweden. After reading Gail’s review , I like the idea of less alcohol and precious raw ingredients…..her enthusiasm for this scent has piqued my interest and I would love to try it. Sitting in a comfy rocker with one of my grandchildren brings me immense joy and happiness. I am in the US.

  • tooka81 says:

    The way I am feeling right now, Gail’s reveiw of Say Yes sounds like a island dream vacay come true in a bottle, a fragrance that brings joy, and lightness, makes you feel like your enjoying a sweet desset overlooking the sea is a win for me, I would love to win this fragrance! I live in the US

  • RobertNicolasB says:

    The Plumeria Pools painting reminds me of a Gauguin and the time he spent in Tahiti; the notes fit perfectly with such a tropical paradise. It’s almost the perfect time of the year to be transported to such a joyful place!!!

  • Steve A says:

    I like a lot from this house, Arctic Jade being the fave. Because of the interesting note list and that’s from Agonist I would quite like this. US

  • Zibbyz says:

    This just sounds lovely, and I love hazelnuts, and mixed with the other notes, just fabulous. One special place… Well, it could be any library or nice book shop, it’s the smell of the books, and I can be anywhere and it feels like home. Or being near water, next to a lake or steam, or a beach, can be relaxing and restoring for me. Thank you for the draw!

  • Harbinger says:

    “the ethereal breath of frangipani caressing my skin”…..yes, I’ll take that!
    Great review. Special place that brings me peace would be on my couch curled up with a good book. USA. thanks for the draw!!!

  • doveskylark says:

    These days, I will take anything I can to feel brave, trust, joy, and happiness. I thank Agonist for creating something with such a tall order. New York City brings me joy, happiness, and (maybe surprisingly) peace.
    I live in the USA.

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    A caribbean beach always brings me joy and peace. Great review as usual It appeals the notes and the bottle. Id love to try this one. Miami Florida Thanks

  • roxhas1cat says:

    The pictures reminded me of my last trip to Kauai, but my desserts there were with macadamia, not hazelnut. I do love hazelnuts and fig, so this sounds like a winner!! I don’t like too much white floral, so with it leaning gourmand, I think I could wear it. I love the meaning of the word “agonist”. I love Agonist bottles because I don’t have to look up the notes elsewhere!! My favorite from this line is Isis. A place I feel at peace is the Jemez trail in Northern New Mexico, outside of Los Alamos. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • audesko1 says:

    Say Yes! Great name and great article. The story is so beautifully written that you are on vacation just reading it. I have not tried any of Agonist scents. I would like to. I live in the US.

  • Valentine Girl says:

    Plumeria is my favorite flower, fig is one of my favorite notes in fragrance & hazelnut is my favorite nut to eat, so I love the thought of all three together in one perfume. The picture of the hazelnut torte decorated with the fresh plumeria flowers is stunning! I find happiness whenever water is nearby & this perfume reminds me of a week I spent on the Thai island of Koh Pha-Ngan. I have not tried anything from this perfume house, but I Say Yes to this one being my first. USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    I like the idea of vacationing through my fragrance. I definitely like the concept of Say Yes. Positive energy! I enjoy being with family in a cottage by the ocean. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Jake smith says:

    You had me at hazelnut and fig! This sounds to die for I love a good gourmand. The description was just spectacular and the idea of vacationing through sent is very appealing to me. I haven’t heard of agonist but I’m definitely going to look out for them and try to get some samples because this sounds marvelous. One thing that brings me peace is sitting by the lake in our town early in the morning when no one is around just quiet, peaceful, and the view is amazing. Keep up the good work! I am in the USA in AZ.

  • LauraC says:

    A perfume that makes you embrace joy and happiness…how wonderful if that could be true! Here in the US, we may need it sprayed from the sky at all times. Or at least in New England for the next 6 months or so?
    The notes and style of this perfume are not what I would normally look for, but the description makes it sound like I missed out on a lot of good things by not doing so. Especially that frangipani.

  • Onyinye says:

    I love the description “celebration of the art of Saying Yes to life…Say Yes is a scent that triggers positive change… embraces you with energy to feel brave, have trust and share joy and happiness”. It’s amazing that a perfume can do that. I love that it’s unisex and contains less alcohol compared to most perfumes. It’s also floral which appeals to me.
    My home brings me joy, happiness and peace.
    I live in California.

  • Tamra says:

    Gail’s description of the notes and images were very beautiful. I love gourmands, floral, and woody notes and this lovely fragrance has all three. I was intrigued immediately when I heard notes such as hazelnut, bergamot, plumeria, and more. My favorite place is a resort in northern Minnesota where we enjoy the woods, lake, and wildlife.

  • Dosva says:

    Oh my God.. This Lauryn’s beautiful rewiev make me to remember my vacation at the seaside- city Batumi. So beautiful review. Thank you, Gail.
    But I could not see “marine” notes in perfume pyramid.
    I would love to have vacation in Portofino.
    US

  • Scabby says:

    I like how she describes how Say Yes is brought to life in a form of a tropical vacation. I feel so fortunate to live in paradise as well and can some what relate. Thanks for the draw from Hawaii

  • Harlod1557 says:

    Quite a fresh sounding composition to this fragrance. Having desert on a beach really captures it well. I love the message behind the name too. While I’m not a huge fan of gourmand the other notes seem like a nice balance.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    The hazelnut and fig sounds gorgeous. Im almost salivating thinking of it. Those darker notes with the oud seems like such a counterpoint to the lighter tropical notes. Id love to try this.
    Large cities always bring me joy actually. I love the busy nature of it.
    Im in the US. Thanks for the draw

  • Danu Seith Fyr says:

    I adore Agonist so this will be no exception.,I can never refuse their creations.. I am most at peace in old cities and towns, libraries full of old books and galleries full of Art. Thank you for a great adventure into new territory.

  • helenlam says:

    Yum, gourmand and plumeria! I live how it is grounded by the Amber and our…sounds magnificent! I do like large cities and rural settings both so I am wasy to please that way , but a beach vacation is always nice. I live in the USA. Thanks!

  • Diana D says:

    This sounds like my perfect fragrance! I love perfumes with hazelnut notes. It’s such a warm, cozy note. Wooded areas in high altitudes like forests or parks brings me joy and calmness. The smell of leaves and branches is very soothing. And the air is very crisp.
    I live in the USA.

  • jiminy says:

    Well, it’s currently cold and rainy in Texas, so the tropical island feel described in the review would be more than welcome.

    A place that brings me joy would be the kitchen. 🙂

  • Vahagn says:

    I like have a rest by the sea. And I will wear every perfume, which will remind me seam seaside, sun and breeze.
    I think the hazelnut, frangipani, vanilla and sandalwood will bring to this perfume “creamy” notes, which will reamind me heated by the sun skin covered by nice smelling sunscreen cream.
    US

  • Lori Laws says:

    Great review by Gail! She totally had me at toasted hazelnuts, figs, frangipani, and oud. Say Yes sounds likes heaven…something that I want to bathe in daily. The place that brings me joy is Santorini. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • WaltherP99 says:

    “irresistible pairing of hazelnut and dried figHints of cream and the mild nutty aroma of freshly toasted hazelnuts balance the dark sugar and the woody, slightly waxen taste of dried fig. This initial gourmand encounter is kept fresh with a nuance of green, mouthwatering bergamot.”
    As a gourmand lover i have to admit … Gail review was way too much , and i’m drooling right now-no joke! Sound devine …
    My special place that brings me joy is … a zoo.When i’m nervous for whatever reason i go there alone- works wonders for me – calms me down each and every time.
    I do follow both @cafleurebon, @azarsmith7 and @agonistparfums on Instagram.
    Virginia

  • Bubeto_GG says:

    Come on guys – it’s not fair:
    1) I’m on a diet 🙁 Hazelnut desserts i adore…don’t make me open the fridge
    2) It’s pretty cold outside , so no tropical island vacations for me Lol
    Say Yes should be a very happy fragrance – felt like i’m smelling it on my skin.Nice job Gail Gross – congrats.
    My happy place is at home in front of the fireplace with my family.
    Tnx for the generous giveaway
    USA