Reviews of Relax (1990)
by Davidoff

This stuff is completely vile and horribly dated. It will always be remembered as my first disastrous blind buy (influenced by all the praise it once received around here).

One perfume experience I'd rather forget.

[Original submission date: 05 July 2008]

It certainly shares a similarities to Zino, there is no doubt about that. It`s mainly that patchouli note (playing with some other notes) which is extremely similar in these two. It`s easy for me to bet my life on that they have same perfumer(s), too.
So if you have smelled Zino, and then wonder, "hmm....how that oh-so-hard-to-get Relax might smell...", then I suggest you to imagine this : Cut off the bergamot burst opening from Zino, take that animalic charachter of Zino a bit down by grinding the patchouli a tad rounder and reducing the amount of indoles, and then add a healthy amount of sweet, warm and a bit smoky benzoin to it.

Relax is a good, long lasting fragrance. It is still lightyears away from the magic of Zino, though.

Davidoff Relax, you are an odd creature. I find you comforting yet I cannot take you outside. You are a loud, obnoxious fougere. When you are around you have to tell everyone around you who you are. You are relentless and obscene and you smell like you've been drinking. Relax, big guy and douse yourself with some mint to cool your nerves. Ahhh no not with a mohjito... ah well.

This was chosen for me as a gift by my then companion during my year abroad in 1990-91. He had Cool Water, which was, at the time, wonderful (first I'd encountered it), because it hadn't "arrived" in the States yet, and, not yet being ubiquitous, was tremendously sexy for a guy in his 20s. So he chose Relax for me.

Now, to Relax. Yuck. The drydown is too powdery for me. It has a complexity that doesn't feel well integrated, but overdone. The powderiness has a cloying quality that makes it almost unbearable in warm weather. The patchouli/amber feels too rich and aromatic and sweet.

The astringent ingredients don't seem to keep this one clean. The sweeter and spicier notes dominate in the blend, and could really use that offset to keep it clean. That lack of cleanliness makes me only yearn for the craft of the much-maligned Cool Water even more (but one can't wear the same as one's companion). alas, I had to wait until the year was up to ditch this one.

To quote Frankie Goes To Hollywood: "Relax! Don't do it!"

This scrubber is very sweet, floral, and fruity on top, Relax at first smells like a tropical vacation. Then again, maybe its just the fluid’s Caribbean green color. Or the name. The tropical drink accord is soon joined by a generous helping of powder, plus some very soapy lavender and plenty of syrupy immortelle.

By the time it settles into its heart, Relax has grown into a powdery gourmand, backed by a bitter soap accord and some very musty wood. I guess I could call it well blended, since it’s hard for me to pick out individual notes. My impression is that it’s supposed to be a nice fluffy pillow of a scent, but to me it’s just flat, dull, and cloyingly sweet. The olfactory texture is the equivalent of milk-of-magnesia, and like the medicine it has a metallic chemical edge that’s just plain unpleasant. I think I actually like this less than Cool Water.

Wow, the last guy to review this hit the nail on the head...sophisticated Brut. I also agree with the second guy, there is a note that i can only imagine is the spearmint, that is really offputting, but this is one of those scents that you start smelling something warm and candylike and you go "wow what is that...hey its me".

This fragrance comes off as sophisticated take on Brute by Fabrege'. Relax is a very nice and comforting fragrance for the mature gentlemen. There is a strange note that's noticeable and kinda off putting in the beginning, but after an hour or two this fragrance really begins to work it's relaxing magic! Must try if you're over 38 years of age.

Velvety smooth both in texture and aroma—the opening of Relax is what the conglomerate accord should be: Greens, citrus, and herbs (with patchouli, leather, and tonka from below) combined in a discreet, rich, and suave opening. I think the mint / lavender makes the accord extra special in aroma, and the tarragon, lavender, and tonka (or vanilla) combination is one of the secrets having opening accord seem so velvety. It’s a wonderful rich and full beginning. The greens and herbs of the opening carry the fragrance to a muted, softened floral / conifer combination in the mid notes—again intricately supported by the tamed sweet accords from the base. The mid notes have more character and less beauty than the opening and have better longevity and a broader platform on which to operate and because of the light woods—patchouli and vetiver. To my nose the light woods predominate in the mid notes and, next, the florals take precedence over a very discreet cedar note. The middle also supplies a touch of leather and a touch of cloves. The patchouli and leather provide the transition to the base where they combine with the moss as a counterpoint to the sweets. The mossy, leathery, slightly sweet drydown is rich, luscious, and long lasting. Relax is excellent…No! …Superb!… and I can understand why it has such a distinguished and loyal fan club.

I just got this about a week ago, and I can see what LushLife means by the cough syrup, with spices and vanilla mixed in, but that smell fades after about an hour and then ...WOW it's amazing. You don't need many sprays to give off good sillage with Relax. Everyone should get this for their own collection, you won't be dissapointed...

Something about it just smelled so much like cough medicine I couldnt get over it. I waited all evening to get this stuff off me but, in this case unfortunately, this one has some serious lasting power!
From the topnotes to the basenotes, I just couldnt bring myself to enjoy this one. It gave me a serious headache. Imagine spices in cough syrup, with creamy vanilla. No thanks.

If I was told I had to pick one fragrance to use for the rest of my life, it would be an easy choice for me, Relax by Davidoff.

To my nose, it smells like a fresher, more minty-benzoiny, less complex version of Zino...a Zino "Summer version". Its definitely not a "classic" as many others may lead you to believe...I wont be hunting down overpriced bottles of this on Ebay anytime soon, especially when considering that Zino is a better fragrance overall. Still, with good longevity and decent sillage, it would be interesting to try both Zino and Relax, and then make the decision as to which one is more suitable for you.

If you have Zino, you have a pretty good idea of what Relax is like. Imagine the basic thrust of Zino, only better. A little thicker, a little richer, maybe a little sweeter (but not too sweet). It's kind of loud and strong, so if you're a skin-scent person, this one's not for you. I get florals, a sweet tobacco note, and some woods on top of the benzoin/vanilla base that the other reviewers have mentioned. A five-star scent in my book.

Damn. I thought this was my little secret. I discovered this cologne completely by accident about ten years ago in a Beverly Hills shop called Duty Free Perfumes (I believe). I still remember my knees literally buckling when I first smelled it (so much so that the guy next to me decided to try it too). I use it very sparingly, and keep it in my dresser drawer away from light and heat, and so far it's held up quite well. I still chuckle every time I see a display of Cool Water, a Davidoff scent that in IMHO can't hold a candle to Relax. I really hope they do decide to bring it back. I never saw any advertising for it in the States, so I'm not surprised that it didn't sell well, and I'm sure if Davidoff threw their weight behind it as much as they have the Cool Water ad campaigns it would be a best-seller. (But then I wouldn't have my own private scent...hmmm.)

Simply stunning. An olfatory experience unlike no other. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

I thought the opening rather reminiscent of Caron Pour Un Homme. But then you go off on a different journey altogether. Down sweet, rich, light paths of whipped cream and pillowy clouds of flowers and soft spices. It is never cloying, just fantasy-land-relaxing. A Wizard of Oz among fragrances? Or a Magical Mystery Tour?

This scent lives up to its name. Slightly aquatic, almost herbal spicy notes, marine freshness with a darker, woody-ambery touch towards the end. Even if i'm not a fan of Davidoff, I definately appreciate and enjoy this one.

Without a doubt one of my favorite orientals. An entrancing melange of amber and benzoin notes with a boozey edge. Don't let those top notes fool you - this one is rich and deep and the emerald green bottle and apt name couldn't be more spot on! Like nothing else on the market, imagine Zino with a more oriental vanillic edge.

According to Davidoff the triangle should read as follows: Top: Bergamot, Woods and Flowers; Heart: Geranium, Jasmine, Rosemary and Clove; Base: Balsamic, Vetiver, Patchouli, Amber

According to Coty Europe, Relax (75 ml exclusively) will be relaunched (at least in Germany) in November 2004.

Woweee zoweeeee! This is an amazing fragrance. It's so incredibly smoooooooth! Why on earth did Davidoff ever stop selling this in the States. It's amazing stuff. I have no idea why, but for some reason when I smell this fragrance I think of marshmallows. Light, fluffy sweet marshmallows. Long lasting also. If you can get this hard to find jewel, immediately snag it. You will not be let down. 10/10

A firm favourite of mine for the last ten years. Rich, almost surreal yet decidedly masculine. Addictive and intoxicating. I always have to refrain from taking a sniff at my own wrist when I wear this.. A real gem that is getting harder to come by.

The good news is, Relax is the BEST scent I've found in the last twenty years. The bad news...it's no longer sold in regular stores in the US. It IS available at Davidoff Stores, and in Europe. This is the smoothest, warmest, cleanest scent I've ever experienced. It's rich yet never overpowering and it even makes you FEEL good, just wearing it. This is a winner guys. If you can find a sample somewhere, try it. I discovered it on this site and it's a great discovery. Enjoy.