Relax Davidoff 1990 Eau de Toilette

I first came across Relax at the end of the 90s. It was in the bathroom in our shared flat for 2 people. My flatmate had received it as a gift from his girlfriend. He rarely used it. Once in a while to go out or something.

At that time, I didn't have much money and therefore only ever wore one perfume. Back then, I think it was 'What about Adam' by Joop. Very green/fresh with the great tomato leaf.

That was the time when the oversweet Joop Hommes and Mugler Amens were still doing the rounds. I was a bit suspicious and brutal back then. Including the iconic 'Le Male', which I never liked because of its linear hairspray note (whatever that means :-).

That's how I ended up eating the neglected green bottle.

Ok. The bottle had the classic Davidoff shape. Just in green. So good - so boring. But what's with the little fluting devil on the back? Mysterious.

The first time I tested it, I found it old-fashioned and exuberant. I didn't like it.

After a long time, I sprayed it on again rather unmotivated.

And then suddenly this green powdery warmth appeared under this classic AS top note. So delicious, attractive, warm and enveloping. So it had docked and I loved it.

As soon as Aftershave Cloud of the Head recedes, which is only slightly perplexing because of the mint, the gate opens to the garden where this devil aka faun aka forest spirit lets his flute play. There is this wonderfully warm, powdery heliotrope/woodruff note that makes Relax so cuddly. This then fades after hours into a beautiful, warm vanilla/tonka base. The ace has long since taken its leave.

At some point, the bottle was empty. I mentally parked it in the sidings and started to addict Escada 'Casual Friday'.

Every now and then I saw another bottle in a Douglas, but didn't buy it because I thought: later..

And then suddenly it was no longer available. Sadness and anger about missed buying opportunities set in.
Who hasn't experienced this:-]

But miracles do happen and in the mid-2000s there was a new edition in 75ml and without Faun on the bottle. I treated myself to at least 2 bottles of my beloved Relax back then. And as quickly as it was back, it disappeared from the scene again.

I still have just under 20ml of it in a 30ml vintage bottle. It has lost none of its magic. And 2 or 3 times a year I go for a walk in this wonderful little forest of my fragrance past...

Together with 'Zino' and 'CoolWater', the Davidoff circle is complete. For me, the best 3 Davidoffs and 3 of the best perfumes of all time...