Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein

A really good perfume; I’ve received many compliments, especially from women. As I live in a tropical country, I use it sparingly and only on cold nights, because in the heat or during the day it doesn’t suit me. It smells wonderfully spiced and its performance for an EDT is surprisingly good. It projects without being annoying. Scent 8/10, Longevity 10/10, Sillage and Projection 8.5/10, Price 8/10.

Obsession doesn’t smell old at all. I presume it has been reformulated as some comment on its potency, but the version I have has moderate projection and longevity. With citrus in the opening and an oriental character, it results in being sweet and sensual, with cinnamon, vanilla and amber dominating the dry down, giving it a slightly animalic musky touch. At some point the spices remind me of Chanel Egoiste, but they are very different. It is a beautiful oriental, easy to wear; with this version I don’t see why a young person couldn’t use it, it remains wearable. Of course, it is for cold climates. The price-to-quality ratio is good.

I had the chance to buy this little gem online, blind, as it’s unavailable anywhere in Uruguay, and I don’t regret a single cent. It’s sweet and romantic, perhaps a bit cloying, but remember it’s vintage and still lives up to its 1986 era. I recommend using it, but maybe more for autumn and winter, as it can be a little overpowering.

The perfect counterpart to Obsession (the female version, as it were). They are very similar, and I believe that was the intention. ‘For Men’ is more musky, with evident cinnamon, a citrus opening, and a touch of lavender that marks (artificially) the gender… but fortunately, nowadays both are unisex. They are oriental fragrances designed for Western urbanites of the 80s, and that appeals to me. ‘For Men’ complements a confident, strong gentleman, the kind who doesn’t spend 45 minutes in the gym nor gets offended by trifles. Projection and longevity are quite good, though a bit flat compared to years past. The price is unbeatable, so if you can try it, it’s worth it without a doubt.

I think it must be the myrrh. When I first smelled it, it felt very familiar until I came to Fragrantica and voilà!: it reminds me of Dior’s Eau Sauvage (EDT, Parfum, etc.). It must be the myrrh. My summary is that this Obsession is an Eau Sauvage (whichever flanker you like) but without the citrus part of the Dior versions.

Be warned, this fragrance is brutal! It has that eighties-nineties vibe that is utterly captivating. The projection is beastly, and although it’s a cologne, it outperforms many luxury perfumes. Nothing like today’s offerings; it’s different and special. Two sprays on the arm and it’s immediately present, lasting all day. Ideal for winter, or if used in summer, just one or two sprays. The opening is distinct, then it stabilises and settles like a cinnamon cookie, yet not sweet, more woody. I agree with Fragrantica: these are scents from the past, and for me, it’s a gem to collect.

I bought it on offer because it had a different scent. The issue is that, while it doesn’t smell like syrup like Joop, it has the same problem: the strong incense note at the beginning reminds you of an eighties grandmother. Two hours later, once the incense fades, it leaves a bearable sweet spice. As an EDT, it lasts long and projects, especially on clothes, where it clings for several days. Suitable for any time of day except summer. If you don’t like the incense note, I wouldn’t recommend it.

I’m 30. The first time I used it, I didn’t know how strong it was. I applied it at 6 am (3 sprays) and everything was normal, but by 10 am, when I was driving to another job and the sun came out, I nearly threw it away. A very annoying and dizzying aroma; the other person in the car said nothing, but I noticed they rolled down the window. It seemed like the same smell as my grandmother’s perfumes. I stopped using it for several months, and one day in cold weather I used it (5 applications), and oh, it smells so much better. Very sweet but with a clean scent and that of expensive perfumes. The trail and longevity are surprising: people five metres away gave compliments, projecting for over five hours, then dropping to another three before settling close to the skin (almost like a perfume). I love that vanilla note with a slight kick after five hours. At six hours, a girl who passed by a metre away said, ‘hey, you smell great’. In short, it’s a perfume that should only be used in cold climates; nothing in the heat because it causes repulsion and discomfort to others. Moreover, the aroma changes completely. If you’re young and live by others’ criticism, wanting to please and obey them, it’s not for you, as it’s an aroma that could be considered for older people (especially if used in the heat). But as time passes, it takes on a very rich and different scent.

Excellent performance, longevity, and trail. Smells like another era, the late eighties and early nineties, but sophisticated. For cold days, not advisable in other temperatures. Cinnamon, amber…

I remember trying it for the first time at 16 (I’m 22 now) and the first thing I said was that it ‘smelled like a gentleman’. Now I understand why, it’s from ’86! Haha!

Starting with the name, which fascinates me, this is a warm, spiced bomb straight from the 80s. You have to hunt for it these days in perfumeries; here in Albacete, it’s only available at Primor, tucked away on the bottom shelf of the bargain section. If you like potent scents that evoke another era without being cloyingly sweet like pastries, don’t hesitate to try it if you haven’t yet.

Pleasant memories with this great fragrance. In this magnificent world of scents, anecdotes link you to the fragrance you like. Once, at night, I was walking down a street and a group of girls was passing by. As I walked past, one girl said, ‘Wow, but that smells delicious, who is that?’ She followed me and literally asked what I was wearing, and the conversation flowed. So, the fragrance, if you wish, opened the possibility of meeting girls, making a good impression, which is the plus that fragrances give and one of the things men hope for: to impact women.

A delightful fragrance; I use it day and night in every occasion and it’s a marvel. I am old school with my favourite scents.

I really like this perfume. Very economical and it delivers in every sense. Some people rate it as an older adult scent. To me, it’s a marvel. If you have a low budget and don’t want to spend more than 20 dollars on a perfume, this is the one. I see it more suited to autumn, winter, and spring climates.

Smells exactly like Liz Taylor’s Passion for Men.