Anisha Riggs
Calvin Klein Obsession is a popular fragrance that was launched in 1985 for women and 1986 for men. The female version of the perfume is perceived as fairly unisex, while the male version has a clearer masculine delineation. However, both fragrances are considered by some to be unisex. The scent of Obsession has been described as spicy, oriental, woody, musky, and sweet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unisex | Yes |
| Brand | Calvin Klein |
| Launch year | 1985 (women's fragrance), 1986 (men's fragrance) |
| Top notes | Cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, grapefruit, basil, lemon, peach, green notes, orange blossom |
| Middle notes | Myrhh, nutmeg, carnation, Brazilian rosewood, pine tree, sage, jasmine, red berries |
| Base notes | Amber, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, vetiver, civet, incense, oakmoss, spices, cedar, rose |
| Variants | Eau de parfum, eau de toilette |
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What You'll Learn
- Obsession by Calvin Klein is a unisex fragrance
- Obsession for Men was launched in 1986, a year after the female version
- The female version is perceived as unisex, while the male version is more masculine
- Obsession has top notes of cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot and grapefruit
- Obsession's formula and scent have been altered since its original release
Obsession by Calvin Klein is a unisex fragrance
While the fragrance is marketed as having distinct versions for men and women, some reviewers argue that both are unisex. One reviewer describes the women's version as having a masculine edge and the men's version as having a clearer masculine delineation. Another reviewer describes the fragrance as having a "unisex opium den kind of attractiveness."
Obsession is considered a classic fragrance, with some describing it as "a masterpiece" and "a forever love." However, others have criticized it as being too strong or too spicy. The formula and scent of Obsession have also changed over time, with some noting that it is now lighter and more feminine than the original formulation.
Obsession by Calvin Klein continues to be a popular fragrance, known for its unique blend of spicy and oriental notes, appealing to both men and women.
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Obsession for Men was launched in 1986, a year after the female version
Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein is an oriental woody fragrance for men. It was launched in 1986, a year after the female version of the perfume was released in 1985. The fragrance was created by perfumer Bob Slattery, with the bottle designed by Pierre Dinand. The bottle has a rounded, minimalist appearance, a brown, gold-ringed cap, a large letter namesake with an oversized "O", and a glass container that showcases the honey-gold liquid inside.
The top notes of Obsession for Men include cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit. These initial scents create a fresh citrus explosion that is balanced by the floral sharpness of lavender and the nuttiness of coriander, all underscored by the warmth of cinnamon. The middle notes reveal a complex blend of myrrh, nutmeg, carnation, Brazilian rosewood, pine tree, sage, jasmine, and red berries. The base notes, which are particularly prominent in the dry-down stage, showcase a powdery vanilla, amber, and deep musk that soften the previous floral notes. The finish is warm and inviting.
Obsession for Men has stood the test of time, remaining a popular fragrance decades after its launch. Its lasting power is impressive, with a longevity of 8-18 hours, and its sillage or projection is strong, ensuring it gets noticed. The fragrance has a rich, intense, and exotic character, making it a timeless classic that can be dressed up or down. While primarily designed for men, some consider Obsession for Men to be fairly unisex, with a masculine edge that can be uniquely sexy on a guy.
The female version of Obsession, also created by Calvin Klein, debuted in 1985. It was designed to deviate from the typical flowery, sweet, and understated scents of the time, aiming for something more direct, provocative, and sensuous. This fragrance also has notable longevity and is often described as a classic, with many appreciating its versatility as a base for layering with other fragrances.
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The female version is perceived as unisex, while the male version is more masculine
Calvin Klein's Obsession is a popular fragrance that was launched in two versions: one for men and one for women. The female version was launched in 1985, and the male version was launched a year later, in 1986.
While the female version of Obsession is perceived as fairly unisex, the male version is considered more masculine. This perception may be due to the scent combination of each version. The female version initially smells like tangy dry amber, oudh, and cinnamon, with no sweetness. However, after some time, it develops into a more feminine scent, with notes of powdery rose, soft orange flowers, and white chocolate. On the other hand, the male version has a fresh citrus explosion at the top with notes of tangerine, grapefruit, lime, and bergamot, which are harmonized with the floral sharpness of lavender and spiced notes of coriander and warm cinnamon.
The female version of Obsession has been described as having a unisex opium den kind of attractiveness, and some people even associate it with a bold, mature woman. It is also considered a good base for layering with other fragrances to add depth. The male version, on the other hand, is described as having a strong, masculine edge, with some people noting that it is too spicy and warm for their taste.
The perception of the female version as unisex may also be influenced by the fact that the original formulation of the fragrance has been altered over time. Some people seek out the "vintage" version of Obsession, which is highly sought-after and expensive, as it is believed to be miles better than the current formulation.
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![Obsession - Type For Women Perfume Body Oil Fragrance [Roll-On - Light Gold - 1 oz.] - ID#23102](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pvufvvQdL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Obsession - Type For Women Perfume Body Oil Fragrance [Roll-On - Light Gold - 1/3 oz.] - ID#36369](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71LsODEBL1L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Obsession has top notes of cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot and grapefruit
Obsession by Calvin Klein is a fragrance that was launched in two versions: one for men and one for women. The former was launched in 1986, a year after the female version. The men's fragrance has been described as having top notes of cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit.
The top notes of a fragrance are often characterised by being sharp and attention-grabbing. The combination of cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit creates a bold and zesty opening for the men's Obsession fragrance. The citrus notes of mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit provide a fresh and tangy explosion, while the cinnamon, lavender, and coriander add depth and warmth.
The top notes of the women's fragrance have been described as having a "harshness" to them, with coriander being a prominent note. However, the top notes of this fragrance are not specified in the sources provided.
Both fragrances have been described as having a unisex appeal. The men's fragrance, with its bold and spicy top notes, has been described as having a "unisex opium den kind of attractiveness". The women's fragrance has been recommended for layering with other fragrances to fill in its gaps and make good use of its harshness, creating a unique and unisex scent.
Overall, the top notes of cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit in the men's Obsession fragrance create a bold, spicy, and zesty opening that captures the essence of the late 1980s. The women's fragrance, while not having its top notes specified, has been described as having a harshness that can be softened and balanced through layering with other fragrances, resulting in a unisex appeal.
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Obsession's formula and scent have been altered since its original release
Obsession by Calvin Klein is a popular fragrance that was first launched in 1985 for women, with a men's version following in 1986. The fragrance is known for its spicy, warm, and oriental scent profile. While the original Obsession has been described as a ""vintage" scent that captures the essence of the 1980s, some sources indicate that its formula and scent have been altered since its initial release.
One source mentions that the Obsession fragrance they encountered in a German drugstore transported them back to the 1990s, indicating that the scent may have changed over time. Additionally, some commenters on a fragrance forum have expressed curiosity about potential changes to the formula. One person noticed a difference in colour and scent between a smaller bottle and a larger bottle of the same fragrance, purchased from different retailers. They speculated that the variation could be due to reformulation or the larger bottle being an older batch.
Another commenter confirmed that the Obsession fragrance has been reformulated at least once. They noted that the tester they had smelled, which was likely aged, might have a different scent from a newer bottle. This commenter also mentioned that the fragrance is considered "vintage" by the fragrance community and that the original formula is highly sought-after and expensive.
While the formula may have evolved, the current iteration of Obsession is still regarded as a unique and appealing fragrance. Some sources describe it as having a unisex appeal, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine scents. This versatility adds to the intrigue and longevity of the Obsession fragrance, making it a classic choice for those who appreciate its complex and evolving aroma.
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Frequently asked questions
Obsession is considered by many to be a unisex fragrance. While there are different versions of the perfume, including Obsession for Men, launched in 1986, and Obsession for Women, launched in 1985, both are considered by some to be unisex.
Obsession for Men is an oriental woody fragrance with top notes of cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit. The middle notes include myrrh, nutmeg, carnation, and jasmine, while the base notes are amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and musk.
Obsession for Women has been described as having a tangy dry amber, oudh, and cinnamon scent that develops into powdery rose, soft orange flowers, and white chocolate. It also has notes of basil, peach, lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange, jasmine, rose, cedar, sandalwood, and vanilla.
Yes, the formula and scent of Obsession have been altered over time. The vintage version, particularly the parfum concentration, is highly sought-after and expensive. The newer formulations are lighter and more feminine, with prominent floral notes.
You can search for "Calvin Klein Obsession mini" or look for half-sized bottles on sites like Mercari or eBay. Department stores and drug stores may also carry older formulations for testing.
![Obsession - Type For Men Scented Body Oil Fragrance [Roll-On - Brown - 1/4 oz.] - ID#23083](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IBXOnpAxL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
