Songes (2006)
by Annick Goutal

As others have mentioned, there’s something unoriginal about this composition – it reminds me of various fragrances all at once. Still, it would have been a pleasant vanilla based scent if the frangipani note wasn’t so dominant – so much that I found the entire composition quite off-putting.

I tried AG Songes for the first time today and instantly fell in love with it. The shop assistant who sold it told me that Songes was created to capture the scent of the island Mauritius where Annick Goutal and her husband had spent their honeymoon. It reportedly took her five years to develop it. I don't know whether this story is true or not, but I believe it for one reason: I spent my best vacation ever on Mauritius' neighbour island La Réunion and I treasure my memories of the many different scents of it: frangipani, vanilla, ylang-ylang, mimosa, cryptomeria, geranium, coconut, vetiver and spices, to name a few. AG Songes is the time of my life in a pretty bottle and I find its name (it means 'dreams') more than appropriate.

On my skin, this beautiful flower scent starts out with a daring but pleasing ylang-ylang, jasmine and pepper. Although ylang-ylang and jasmine have never been my favourite floral scents, they are irresistibly wrapped into a bouquet of other florals. Later, the frangipani and non-sweet vanilla enter the stage, accompanied by a little vetiver and different balsamic notes. I always wanted a frangipani scent and here it is. Songes actually has the scent of fresh frangipani blossoms in it and displays an elegant mix of the ingredients mentioned by other thumbs-up reviewers.

I cannot, by any means, detect a rubber smell in this masterpiece. It doesn't only smell great on my skin, but also on my alpaca/silk/mohair coat. Here in Vienna, we had some wet snow today and this smell brought sun and sophistication into the cinnamon, vanilla and rum pre-Christmas atmosphere. A lady who entered the perfume shop while I was trying Songes immediately wanted to try it, too, and by the time I left the shop she was torn between buying it at once or making her husband buy it for her as a Christmas gift.

This is the first Goutal (aside from Eau de Hadrien) that receives a thumbs up from me. It's not really my cup of tea - as Annick's creations usually are not - but Songes is bare and beautiful! A blend of ylang-ylang, jasmine, vanilla and frangipane - without any extra added sweeteners! Having recently tested Chantacaille's Frangipane, I was ready for this one. First off, ylang-ylang is not a note I've ever enjoyed BUT in Songes I not only clearly smell it, I also like it! Weird, but true. The presentation of jasmine here is better than her 'jasmine' fragrance - go figure! The jasmine here is authentic, restrained, and married very well with the other components of this blend. The frangipane note is the slightest of all, and imparts a rich, dream like quality. Nicely paired with vanilla. I do detect that "rubber tire" element referred to by previous reviewers. For me though, it is more like a note of carnation paired with a non-sweet vanilla that gives that odd illusion...all in all I'm pleased, and will drain my sample vial completely dry. As for a full bottle purchase; we'll see.

I love Songes despite all the bad reviews. It smells like a perfectly blended bouquet of jasmine and gardenia with something slightly spicy thrown in.When I wear Songes it makes me want to but on a beautiful sundress and have lunch at an outdoor cafe with my friends.

Ah, Songes, this is a fragrance which I bought without testing on my skin first, much to my regret. I gave it a fair try but just couldn't get along with the frangipani which for me is so strong in Songes that I could barely detect any other notes. In the end I swapped it for Bellodgia which is much more pleasing to my nose. A beautiful fragrance for lovers of frangipani but not for me.

A masterpiece in the sky of floral bouquets, an immense, balanced and iridescent cathedral of sweet and charming flowers and woods. The name perfectly suits the fragrance; a dream starting with jasmine smiling notes, ending on a long flower-vanilla soft carpet. Perfect, long-lasting melody. One of the fragrances that sometimes make me dream to change place and time (and sex).