Relax by Davidoff

Davidoff Relax from 1990 draws on 80s roots but kicks off with that Cool Water freshness: woodsy ferns, mentholated and comforting notes that hit you straight away. It’s dry and sparkling, with potted-plant garden touches, very similar to classic ferns like Brut or even the vibe of Aqua Velva. Yes, barbershop vibes, clean green explosions and refreshing scents that men have felt since they were young after shaving. But it doesn’t end there: the base features vanilla, amber and aromatic woods, so besides the fern, it’s a substantial oriental. The feeling is like putting Aqua Velva on your face and then Old Spice, or harking back to Man Dandy. The blend is original; it surely inspired Francis Kurdjian for Le Male years later, keeping the idea but ditching the 80s style and adding sweet musks. Projection and longevity are very good. It’s like an aftershave that lasts as long as you want, leaving you embraced by pleasant, masculine, crisp and formal sensations. As an oriental, it’s not as imposing as Zino; as a fern, it’s not quite as explosive as Cool Water. Perhaps being in that niche, on the fringes of fashion, caused it to fade and disappear. To me, it seems original, essential and a must-have landmark for any collector of discontinued fragrances.

Look, I’m not entirely sure anymore, but it had a sweet touch (my forte) mixed with something fresh, seductive, and even a little poisonous. It suited me perfectly when I was a young lad. I tried it in a small bottle and then changed quite a bit until I settled for Davidoff’s Zino, which I found more mature and elegant, yet this scent was unique and I had never heard anything like it. Ideal for going out, impressing, and surprising; it seems it would last on a stranger for quite a while. I’d be surprised to smell it on someone again; I haven’t crossed paths with it in ages. If you try it, give it time, it develops considerably. Back to my ruthless and precise descriptors: scents are not just science, they are gateways to pleasures and memories. Nothing beats them to remind you of life’s ‘Hammer’ moments, and those are unique. Cheers, guys.