Obsession

Jean Guichard is a master perfumer. I mean, he made Eden and Loulou, and I ADORE both. When I was thinking about how to write my opinion about Obsession, I was thinking, again, yes, nobody does anything around perfumery masters still living. Nobody writes about them, nobody interviews them, zero. I can't understand that. I am very interested in what they think and how they make a perfume. What inspires them, and so on. I did a bit of research in a general sense about Jean. We know he is a teacher also, but what we all don't know is, for example, which components he uses in his perfumery most often. What I discovered is that the most used ones are vetiver, cedarwood, bergamot, rose, sandalwood, patchouli and jasmine. It would be interesting to ask him why. And how he came up with Obsession. Let me put it out there first. Obsession is a masterpiece perfume. In all aspects. It's bald. It's direct into the stomach and even the face. It's between love and hate, and that's what made this scent earn the name Obsession. Obsession can be born only between love and hate. In that space between. That safe zone where we rest because we can't decide. It's pretty unbelievable how a scent can drive you through different feelings, different timelines and even through history. Jean made many perfumes, many good, many historical. Historical because of pure artistic value and outstanding qualities. Obsession is one of those perfumes. It's hard to describe it because it's silently bold. It opens as a sun. That nice sunburn on your skin. This is very melancholic. The pleasant one. Aldehydes and sun. These aldehydes are in my nose: a mixture of a vintage hairspray and brutal vanilla, bergamot, basil, and green notes of grass. and, I assume, tree leaves, maybe oak, then peach, lemon and some mandarin. Top notes themselves could be sun cologne. Vanilla did the job here. Giving that amberish feeling without being amber. The speciality of this perfume is that the top notes stay. All that is coming just builds up. I like that. That's something to respect. When spices crush into your nose and after that into your brain waves, you don't get the rose, orange blossom or jasmine. All are calm, captivating but free, calm and very disciplined. Then intertwine with the rest of the middle notes like they understand they are a part of the legendary perfume. Wood, spices and flowers. To intoxicate you. Before you sense the base notes and before you enter that space between love and hate. Because when you feel the other side, interestingly based, you can't ever stop loving this masterpiece. It drags you into the animalistic/forest bold side and tells you, "Love and hate me!" Did you ever love? If yes, then you were also hated. In those days when you are in between, you are obsessed. That's the sense of the existence of this wonderful scent. This is definitely not for just anyone. It doesn't allow you. You have to submit. Only the brave can rule the place in between. It's a challenge. Pushes, pulls, goes on the nerves, blinks in the sun, and sends you a kiss of vanilla, and after that, slaps your face like a civet urinated over your shoes. Originally it was urine-like; have that in mind. It's animalistic. It's a guru scent. The spirit of obsession teaches you a bold lesson. I love you, but don't play with me. Perfume made for me. Thank you, Jean. P. S: I like the bottle. It's like a Handgranate. So you can end yourself if you can't stand "the middle."

I wore this when it first came out. Liked it, but did not love it. I was young. Perhaps too young. My ex wore the men's version, and I hated it, and him along with it. Because of my aversion to the men's version, I have stayed away from the women's version up until a couple months ago when I decided to buy a purse mini just to have it in my collection since I'm a perfume whore. HolyMaryMotherofGOD I love this stuff. I can't stop buying the vintage used bottles on eBay. I'm obsessed... (oh, how tacky that sounds considering it's name but IT IS THE TRUTH!). I have the 1980's bottles (sprayer in cap) and the kidney's ("splash cologne") with their gold trimmed orange-brown tops. I have the 1990's bottles (sprayer no longer part of the cap, but the gold trim survived the decade change). These are pre-reformulation, and pre-Coty. I have the 2000'sies reformulated Coty version. I actually find the new version fine. And considering how much of the original ingredients had to be replaced, I say that Coty did a stand up job. I keep the 2000 dark brown cap/no gold trim versions in my purse for later in the day over sprays. But in the morning, I use the vintage versions. The 1980's bottle's top notes are, of course, deteriorated a bit, but since I never loved the harsh herbal/sorta bitter citrus opening, I'm very happy about it's demise. So, mostly, CK Obsession gets better with age. The liquid is dark, and thick, and luscious. The dry down notes are: civet, classic sweet-amber- vanilla (Obsession perfected this one!), and the not-so-secret unlisted note of cinnamon. I have noted leather, and a really good sweet pipe tobacco note as well. This version is my favorite, because of the top note deterioration. The dry down is the money shot, and superior in all ways to any future versions. The 90's versions will smell this good in another 10 years (I hope that prominent cinnamon I smell from the 80's versions shows up as well!). The 1990's versions are wonderful in their own right, and eBay bottles abound for less than 30 cents per ml. These have "ripened" and the top notes are mostly intact. Subsequently the top to heart to dry down journey throughout the day is the authentic vintage one. Intoxicating. Mesmerizing. Orgasmic. I'll point out again that I feel like the cinnamon note is not quite so evident here. I did big side by side comparisons between my two generously sprayed arms. The 80's version, hands down, had the cinnamon. The 90's version: Not so much. And therein lies my core reason for preferring the 80's versions. This stuff LOVES me, and I it. We are soul mates, twin sisters. I have a large rotation of perfumes, but if I have not started my day with Obsession, I always manage to end my day with it. Spraying it liberally on my Pj's and pillow case. It is truly like coming home. I am grateful the gold band versions are still plentiful. I continue to stock up. How much is enough to last me my lifetime? Can I be embalmed in it? Okay, that last bit was a bridge too far. But you get the picture. I'm smitten. If you need to dump or swap your gold band versions... PM me... I'll gladly take your babies off your hands. They will be adored.

If someone says this is their fave fragrance u’d expect it to be someone in their 40s or 50s but HEYYY !! I’m in my early 20s and this is one of my signatures. I always get mixed reactions from people especially the younger ones bc my innocent and youthful image doesn’t match my olfactory preferences. Younger people often go for more juvenile scents, they’re like the biggest consumer of aquatics and gourmands, so it’s understandable why they’d be polarized by my choice of fragrance. My friends often say I’m that one friend that smells like a sexy aunt, a smoker, or a person who asserts dominance but if you saw me irl i don’t even resemble those descriptions physically 😭 but i don’t mind for i believe the beauty lies in its irony. Despite the unpredictable reactions from light fragrance enjoyers, people in their 30s and above often compliment my fragrances. AND THAT’S GREAT because their fragrances were far more interesting back in the days🫶🏻 I’ve already left a lengthy review (and here i am leaving another lengthy paragraph) of this fragrance months ago but back then it was just a teensyyy decant that I genuinely enjoyed wearing until its last drop but thankfully I recently got a full bottle (reformulated) and regardless it’s still lovely; however it’s my dream to experience the vintage formulation bc i can tell this has been watered down for years and now it’s sadly just a shadow of its former glory. This is such an interesting fragrance because it starts off sharply green with loads of citrus bitters and dries down to a leathery, animalic, and smoky vanilla coke float. While the scent profile itself is interesting, the way this fragrance beautifully works with my body chem makes it far more interesting than what it already is. There are days wherein the drydown resembles Guerlain Shalimar, it often smells like Dior Addict too when the creamy non-overtly gourmand vanilla really peaks through, there are also times where the chocolatey cola note gets super strong it starts smelling like Lalique Le Parfum. Surprisingly it doesn’t only amplify the base notes but in fact some of the green top notes and heart notes stick around till the last wear because there are times where it dries down to the smell of a geranium scented castille soap. It doesn’t end there :D there’s so much outcomes or possibilities with how the scent dries down on my skin and thankfully it’s always fabulous like this perfume is truly magnificent. There are times where it just screams LEATHER and unwashed faux fur, interestingly it also smells like bubblegum-ish vanilla at times which is so weird bc you’d never think it’d smell like that. Another unexpected drydown is when it smells like a vitamin c tablet but the WEIRDEST is when it smells like a freshly baked rye bread which happened once. If you ask me to yap about this perfume 30 times I would—or even more than that. Here’s another episode of me glorifying this perfume. If I ever get my hands on niche perfumes, the scent profile I’d instantly hunt for is something like obsession. It’s such a timeless masterpiece and I would totally cry if i did a speech on its beauty.

The only reason why i bought this is to compare it with the men’s version and gosh i’m hella shocked that the difference is so minuscule that an untrained nose wouldn’t even notice. Initial spray? EXACT SAME AS THE MEN’S VERSION. Classic Obsession has more sharp citrus smell but still has that same vintage makeup powder drydown as the men’s, except men’s has its powdery note amped up making Obsession for women lighter bc of the sharp citrus note that really peeks through on all of its stages, which probably makes it better for daily wear with the right amount of sprays. I also love how the women's has a sweeter vanilla note. I also find that the men’s version has a more sweet cola, boozier/whisky-like, and suede-ish drydown that makes it just a BIT, a TAD BIT more refined than the women’s. Although you can find the same “cola” dry down on the women’s, the women’s is more on the zingy citrus-infused cola side which makes it more tart than sweet classic coca-cola. I swear, the citrus notes are very strong in the women’s and no wonder why people say the men’s version is more rounded, they grounded it with aromatic notes. The women’s can be a tad bit too harsh and sharp bc of the tangy citrus. If you prefer to have a brighter, fresher, makeup powder + vanilla cola with bittersweet herbal notes and citruses peeking through until its late dry-down, get the women’s Women’s = Vanilla cola with a squeeze of lime juice If you prefer a sweeter, darker, woodier, boozier, thicker, makeup powder on steroids + flat cola, get the men’s Men’s = Cola with a shot of whisky Regardless of what version you’ll get, they’ll both work beautifully on everyone as they’re very unisex !! If you don’t overthink it, they’re almost the same exact fragrance 🤷 Update: I'm starting to detect the sweet vanilla more in women's version. it smells more like a citrusy vanilla coke and men's is more of your classic sweet coke. Both have a very makeup powder facet !! women's is vanilla-y makeup powder, and again men's is classic makeup boudoir powder. If you want more vanilla = women's, less vanilla = men's So far, I'm impressed and i'm leaning more towards women's obsession (tho i love both !!). This is such a classic and it's on my top tier faves for old school fragrances. I'm actually pretty young and I know that most people in my age nowadays are into saccharine blends (both men and women's). This is such a perfect perfume to give them a proper SHOCK :P haha "ew, what are u wearing, u smell like..." ohh it's something u could never pull off. BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Timeless, chic, elegant, modest, sexy, controversial, dominant, boss, money, delicious, sweet, gender-bending, skinny legend, versace boots, the house down slay, queen, hunty, mama, and oop, daddy, work, charli xcx, snatch my wig >:( I GOT THE POWER BABE-Y, statement fragrance. in short it's cute !! <3

First of all, I am writing this for my early-90s (?) issue of this fragrance that comes with an atomizer embedded inside the cap. I’m not totally sure—if anyone is knowledgeable on this topic please correct me! (Also, as a perfume newbie, I bought a 100ml bottle thinking it was something smaller for a very reasonable price! I’m so glad I did, though!) This opens up with a somewhat musty, almost dirty/dusty blast of spices and medicinal scents. The dustiness continues throughout the wear, but the spices develop nicely into a soft, incense-like scent. Despite the notes listed, I felt like this was somewhat...cool? Cold? That reminded me of Tiger Balm and other medicines from my childhood. I definitely think this is one of those vintage/oldie scents, but if you are familiar with Eastern medicine I think you’ll find this pretty approachable. The dry-down actually reminds me of Kyoto, in fall! What makes me “obsessed” is that this simultaneous smells clean and dirty. It’s very multi-dimensional and for me, mixes very well with my skin chemistry. I mostly get spicy floral with a hint of animalistic musk, possibly civet. Quite addicting in my opinion! I would describe this as “vintage”, but this also has an allure of a casual, laid-back feel that makes this a reminiscent of the US’s glory days in fashion. This also has an unisex appeal and makes me think of an actor from the 80s I’m a fan of...sexy but in a very approachable way, comforting with a good twist of animalistic, dirty appeal. Ah...great stuff!! PS: I was out walking around in a cemetery near my house today. The scent of incense wafting from the serene forest mixed together with the scent of my Obsession, which I had been wearing for about 6 hrs, was just so comforting. On me, Obsession is a reminiscent of walking in a quiet cemetery, with a breeze caressing my hair...very woody and incense-like, with just the right amount of dust and soil that grounds me.

New to fragrance, I was influenced by rave reviews to buy a sample size. But after seeing a lot of disappointment over reformulation, I was bracing myself for a letdown. I've never knowingly smelled the original, but straight from the bottle, it feels familiar, albeit nothing like the listed notes. It smells like having to tag along while your mother shops in blinding white department stores. It smells like what I thought all perfume smelled like as a kid. My initial experience was: I spent the first half hour smelling like a freshly zested lime, had a short while to play with some spices, and then it faded down into a vanilla. Nice to be sure, but not nearly as bombastic as it sounds like it used to be. Not a powerful woman, but a popular girl. I supposed this was what everyone was so sad about. HOWEVER, I'm learning that fragrance really does need some time to develop. After a couple weeks untouched, my sample gained tons of projection, and the entire middle phase has changed. Instead of a short period of one-note spice, it's now rich, musky, stank in a good way. Definitely a more vintage vibe, so I get the old lady comparisons, but not so much that I feel like I can't pull it off as a young woman. Smells like fantasy sex, not realistically sweaty but instead like slow music and a fade to black. Won't be wearing this to the office anymore, it feels kind of inappropriate and she is strong, even with a light touch. Obsession I'm sorry for doubting you. If this is what we're calling weak sauce, I'm not afraid to admit I would be bowled over by the OG. If you're also new to fragrance, don't be warded off by all those upset by the reformulation. I'm still quite satisfied with its strength and warmth. it triggers my allergies sometimes; I use with plenty of caution. p.s. if it feels too mature for you, layer with something that's sweet in a bright way.

I was in my first year of college studying fine art when Calvin Klein Obsession debuted in 1985, and I fell hard for the avant-garde Richard Avedon and then the David Lynch ad campaigns. I wanted to graduate from my signature fragrance, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, to whatever artsy sexiness this represented, but Obsession was beyond my budget at the time. I believe I wore the clean, unsexy, cost-conscious White Musk Oil from The Body Shop through college. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, I watched a review of Obsession by the sweet and knowledgeable Dacob on YouTube, and was inspired to finally seek out a bottle of vintage Obsession EDP to add to my collection along with the cologne in the iconic palm-shaped bottle. Obsession is a warm, glowing amber perfume, with incense, vanilla of the less candy-sweet variety, spices, and a somewhat powdery dry down. The opening is a bit dry and herbal, but it quickly turns warm and softly spicy. There is an animalic note, which is not objectionable to my nose, as this is a grown-up perfume after all! It is sultry, yet cozy enough to be a bedtime perfume, and wearable for all genders (as with every fragrance ever made). Are you a young person obsessed with vintage 80s style? This is a must-have, and I honor and take delight in your individuality. If you are ageist and conventional with a nose trained on sweet candy mall perfumes, this is not for you, so don't bother. This is for the collector who wants to explore perfume history, who appreciates iconic heritage perfumes like Shalimar, Chanel Coco, or the powerhouse Tabu. Look for the vintage versions of Obsession with the gold edge on the cap, but avoid the version made by Unilever. The current Coty formulation can be had for under $25.

Obsession opens with a sharp green jolt. The first spray delivers an intense wave of verdant notes, brightened by a zest of lemon, bergamot, and mandarin. There is something piercing about it - almost biting - and it immediately sets the tone for the obsessive journey to come. As the fragrance warms on the skin, softer nuances emerge. Peach, vanilla, and basil add a sensual layer beneath the vivid green opening. Yet nothing truly prepares you for what follows. The composition shifts from this sharp, verdant brightness into something warmer - spicy, woody, and floral. The transition is remarkable. Few fragrances offer such a rich and evolving journey. If I were to judge it solely by its opening, I might say it is not for me. But very quickly, it reveals another dimension, almost whispering: “ Be patient, travel with me.” Within the spicy heart - elevated by an elegant touch of coriander and woody notes - the floral accords begin to unfold. The effect is sumptuous. And yet, in the background, the green, aromatic accents persist, with the distinctive basil threading through the composition. It is difficult to capture everything this perfume evokes. It is complex, bold, and astonishing in its development. Hours later, it deepens further into incense, civet, musk, and vetiver - darker, more resinous, and undeniably seductive. In truth, describing it almost feels futile. Each nose will experience this journey differently. What I can say is this: it is a masterpiece. If only for historical reasons, everyone should experience this fragrance on skin at least once in their lifetime. It is a very beautiful voyage.

Today is October 1st and I reserved testing this perfume for today since this perfume basically *looks* like October, and I am a very festive person. This perfume is such a pleasant surprise! I was worried it was going to be too strong and resembling Shalimar too much, based on reviews. I LOVE this one. It does have a similarity to Shalimar but without the loud, plastic smell that I get. CK Obsession is ideal for me because I can overspray and it doesn't smolder an entire room either. I don't consider myself a huge fan of aldehyde perfumes, but this one isn't bothering my nose at all. I love the spices, incense, *light* aldehyde, powder, amber, cinnamon, and just feels like Autumn. I think Obsession is perfect for Autumn and Winter, day or night. My only complaint is that it doesn't project nearly as strong as many reviewers say it does. But this is my personal opinion, of course. And I'm assuming this could also be because I have a newer formulation and not the original. Yet, some ppl say this new version is still too strong for them. ::shrug:: For me, I have a sensitive nose, and this doesn't bother or suffocate me. I agree with some other reviewers who have said that this perfume is perfect for close quarters, sitting on the sofa, reading a book, maybe wearing a sweater all cozy, cuddling with a blanket on a cool night, and especially if you have a romantic partner by your side. I do not think this perfume is offensive at all, nor overwhelming. For me I'd have to overspray to get any comments. My skin apparently eats this up.

In a nutshell: Obsession is hardcore "I dare you to sit at my table" energy in a bottle. I'm in love. If you look at the note breakdown, it's a terrifying pile: bergamot, orange blossom, jasmine, basil, citrus, coriander, sandalwood, incense, oakmoss, civet, and amber. All of THAT in one bottle. It looks like it'd be an absolute train wreck. But instead all these notes collide, do backflips over each other, and magically fuse into a beautiful, albeit unholy, masterpiece. An hour after the first spray, it knocks my socks off and somehow it just keeps getting better. With all those notes?? Like, how?? There's an incredible warmth to it, but it’s anchored by a distinct "back off" attitude. Obsession doesn't ask for permission to occupy a room. It just walks in and takes the best chair, possibly shoving the current occupant onto the floor and using them as a footstool. She is STRONG, so don't overdo it or you could irreparably alter the jet stream. The longevity of this stuff is phenomenal, easily lasting all day. The sillage leaves a trail that's noticeable but not overbearing. Somehow. I don't know how, but it all just works. If you're intimidated by REAL old-school powerhouses, this stuff will likely make you weep and forget your PIN number for a week. But if you have the moxie it takes to pull this stuff off, Obsession is a timeless QUEEN. I might be three decades late to the party but they'll have to pry this bottle out of my cold, dead hands.

Obsession is a masterpiece. It's unmistakable; it's in-your-face; it's divine. I've loved this since I was a kid when I would steal my mother's bottle from the bathroom shelf. I used to drown myself in Obsession. Needless to say, I made a bit of a statement at school (often choking whoever sat next to me!) At first spray, it's citrusy and spicy; I get potent lemon zest and a market's worth of exotic spices. Not far behind is amber, blending in delightfully. Woody notes follow. Left after a few hours is a lovely, comforting hug of vanilla, musk, and amber. I'm no fan of amber-heavy scents, but Obsession does it right. Obsession is sexy and intoxicating. It is vintage without being 'grandma' - I think Shalimar and Youth Dew fit this category, and while having similarities, Obsession steers clear. Longevity and projection? Not what it once was. It's still strong and performs well (especially for something so cheap!) This perfume was once a killer. I used to overspray this, and it's a miracle there's any life left on earth. Newer batches are still pretty strong, but there's no taking down airplanes with a new bottle. Obsession is a must-have for me. And I've never paid more than £20 for a 100ml EDP. I get that it's strong and not suited to everyone, but I adore it. It's complex, it's a statement, it's sexy and sultry and youthful and mature all at once. Simply, it's a classic.

Obsession is not a simple scent for naïve little girls. I say that with zero judgement because, as a former naïve little girl, I remember HATING this fragrance! I literally gagged the first time I smelled it. I remember thinking, "How does this exist?! Who could possibly want to smell like that?!" Like most young ladies, I preferred pretty perfumes. In other words, uncomplicated, one-dimensional fragrances. Because that's who I was: uncomplicated and one-dimensional. That's ok. That's exactly what a young lady (teens/twenties) should be. Fast forward 20 years, and I've grown some dimensions--literally and figuratively LOL. I've grown to appreciate depth and complexity. I've learned that there is beauty in unpleasant things as well as pleasant ones. I don't just want flowers and sugar anymore, I want a scent with more significance than that. I want flowers and sugar grounded in bitterness and spice. That's where the good stuff is. Obsession is now one of my favorite scents. I love wearing it. It makes me feel powerful, maternal, sexy, and mature. I get that it's not for everyone. That's exactly how it should be. The other day, I cringed at Estee Lauder's Youth Dew and thought, "Ugh! Only an old lady would want to smell like this!" Perhaps there's something that old ladies appreciate in Youth Dew that I just haven't matured into yet. #lifegoals? :)

What a beautiful classic following the footsteps of Must de Cartier, herbs, citruses and galbanum galore fading to woods, spices, oakmoss and a slight bit of vanilla and musks. I like this much more than the "for men" counterpart, which is still an amazing fragrance too and shares quite a bit with this original. As a green vintage men's fragrance this would be my clear preference vs the actual Obsession for men. There's the perfect balance of florals and herbs, woods and spices - the wearer defines its impression. Towards the drydown you get the Obsession for men similarities much more, but with the added magic of greenery and florals at the top/mid. It is also somewhat similar to Aramis Devin especially towards the drydown. This is everything I hoped Aramis Devin worn like. Obsession feels much better without the clash of galbanum with aldehydes and leather found in Devin. Here galbanum is presented with the usual suspects of other green notes and has perfect transition to white floralcy and then to oriental spices and oriental chypre mossy profile, not without a bit of ambery vanilla and leather. It's perfect especially if you add the price point in grey market e-tailers.

After reading the reviews and doing a bit of research here and there looking for a night-out scent, i came to a conclusion to do a little naughty blind buy. So Obsession it was. First impressions, the heavy clean designed glass bottle looks like a time capsule to another era. Smellwise a bit disgusting and weirdly familiar. Also couldn't stop smelling it, i was just dosing one sniff to my wrist at a time. From second try on the lovestory began. Obsession develops like a continuos flow of moods and smells. Starting sharp with sticky ambery vanilla, with a hint of wooden tones like a good old rum, then after a while it goes several ways. It's a wild ride. Sometimes it's pure animalic sticky vanilla. Sometimes flowers, orange blossom and jasmine. Sometimes it's spicy with santalwood, cinnamon and cloves, sometimes powdery like a sexy body soap. Changing with every sniff, the tones are living their own life. Coming and going, as the echoes from last night. So, it is the Obsession. Takes you on a journey around and leaves a mark on your skin for a day after. And it has it's class. For an even funnier ride, layer it with rose perfume oil or something citrusy.

I like the notes personally, oriental sweet spicy with floral dry down. But maybe to compensate the price, or just my skin, every time I spray directly it on my thinner skin spots, which mostly are the pulse like inner arms and chest, my skin will have rash, turning irritated and become darker because of the irritation for several days to weeks. But because I still love the notes, I keep wearing it by spay it on my wrists and tap it from to other pulse points. The funny thing is I bought it when I stayed Scandinavian area, I can wear it almost every day but not summer, my favorite time to wear it is in winter time. Then I moved and now stay in tropical area, I really have to seek certain occasion to wear and enjoy it such as during heavy rain whole day or a formal party or event at night. I barely use it, and already have it 2018, not it has been 7 years with me but the juice is very stable, I don't notice any specific change. I had it for going to the office, and my early pregnant friend immediately got morning sickness, lol! But I still love this perfume and curious how the formula back then as it is reproduced ever since it was launched at 1985.

Wow! I've avoided older fragrance releases for a long time due to how often they're associated with age, but guess it's time to ditch the stereotype. I want a full bottle of this! This is a dark, sensual, oriental scent that draws attention to you. I smell a lot of vanilla in this - vanillic wood, vanillic citruses, vanillic florals. Lots of spices as well, which gives it almost a semi-gourmand profile at times, along with the vanilla - like a spice cake. All are very well-blended on a heavy, viscous background of amber and incense - with very distinct animalic and vetiver accents. It's a multifaceted, transformative and mysterious scent - the hallmarks of my "loved" category in fragrances! ...Although I will admit, there is a slight similarity to "spicy" scented candles, like someone else pointed out. The fact that the scent itself has some weight/waxiness to it doesn't help, but of course this is just a matter of associations that doesn't reflect the quality of the fragrance. Good longevity and sillage, perfect for nighttime during any season, as long as it's not hot outside.

Terrible on paper, terrible on clothes... but on skin? Wtf? How is this so cheap? Obsession starts out with an aromatic green almost spa product like opening with a background of spices and vanilla. This is the part i dislike the most, the basil is noticeable and it reminds me a lot of cooking... its slightly sickly and too powerful But as with most good perfumes, u have to give time and attention to see the beauty in it. Same goes for obsession: after wearing it on your skin for a few minutes, the basil and all the other sickly notes disappear and make way for a deep, resinous, spicy, warm, vintage amber with a good dose of unlit incense. It reminds me a lot of shalimars drydown but take away everything that makes shalimar shalimar (regal, leathery, smoky etc). The amber is vanillic in the most realistic sense: not a gourmand cakey vanilla, not a masculine rough vanilla, a pure vanilla bean with all of its facets. Its perfect for cold seasons, its cheap and its powerful. Convincing, full of identity and just all around beautiful. Nothing like the woody ambers of today

I'll never forget my first experience with Obsession. I wasn't a "fragranista" at the time and even though Obsession was released in the mid 80's, it didn't exist in my world. Not until the early 90's did we meet in a local Nordstrom. It was kismet! She absolutely sang to me and I knew there was no way I could leave that store without a bottle of this magic potion. And therein lay my dilemma. At that time, I was married to a very controlling man who would have flipped out if I came home with such a personal indulgence. So, I purchased a bottle of the splash cologne in the kidney shaped bottle and kept it hidden in my car glove box. Pulling it out and dabbing a little on, at a stoplight, on my way to work. Thinking back on this now, this moment may have been my first step on the path to be free from the situation I was in. Obsession was a comfort to me during a very difficult period. In her, I smell strength and confidence. I know those "notes" aren't listed above, but trust me, they are in Obsession.

I have the modern version 2020 and two vintage with gold banded chocolate caps. One vintage is from 1991 and the other is from 1988. They have kept this pretty much the same since it's inception. It is a warm, vanilla, ambery orange beast that reminds me of the golden sands of a desert, or the warm resiny sap from a fragrant old tree eons old. The kind where mosquitoes got trapped in its thick golden blood: back when creatures roamed the earth that our eyes have only read about in the pages of a book or saw on a movie screen. This is a warm hug that envelopes you in spices and vanilla pods. The vintage lasts a wee bit longer thanks to the civet, however in comparison to the frags that are out today the modern version is a beast as well. It’s the kind of perfume I imagine smelling on Marlene Dietrich or a "not so innocent after Burton" Elizabeth Taylor. I’ve bought a 3.4 oz backup of the modern version just in case they want to reformulate this beast when I let my guard down.

I used to wear Obsession back in the day, so when I saw a cute miniature on Jomashop I couldn’t resist picking it up just for the nostalgia. In general, don’t judge an amber until it’s fully dried down on your skin. I was never a fan of the green citrusy opening, but around 30 minutes into the wear this becomes a spectacular sweet, powdery amber. I can’t pick out any of the mid notes individually, but they are very well blended and really smooth out the wearing experience. The dry down of Obsession (what you’re getting for 90% of the wear) is in the same ‘clean amber’ family as The Eyes of the Tiger and Le Labo Labdanum. However, Obsession is sweeter and much more carnal. I’m glad I snagged this and I know I’ll enjoy pulling it out next fall and winter. If you associate amber with old folks, just keep on walking. However, if you appreciate this scent profile, Obsession still very much holds its own. This is definitely worth revisiting or checking out for the first time.

I am a woman who will be 70 years old on my next birthday. I still feel very feminine, and wearing my favorite perfume (even when I'm home alone) enhances that sensation. I discovered Calvin Klein's Obsession when I was 35 years old--half my life ago! It was first given to me by the wonderful man in my life at the time. Although our relationship only lasted eight years, my delight with Obsession never faltered. Obsession is my signature scent. Although I sometimes wear another fragrance for a specific reason (usually, mood or event), I always return to Obsession. People who know me well mention "my" fragrance and how much they love it on me. Obsession is a magnificent fragrance, each note adding its contribution to the overall magic, yet the scent is not overpowering. It is long-lasting (for me, at any rate), and I enjoy the scent that wafts to my own nose when I move around. I hope Obsession continues to be available for the rest of my life. I love it so much!

Oh, God, this was love at first spray for me... The basil, warm spices, and incense are the most prominent notes to me. Okay, it's definitely not for everyone. If you're into vintage aesthetics as a whole I think this could potentially be for you but what they say about it having 80s DNA is completely true, and it is a mature scent, I'm 22 but I really love it. This is what 80s Hunter Green would smell like if it were a perfume...Comfort all over. I sprayed only 3 and it is absolutely magical. This is so sexy, probably going to be one of my new signature scents. I personally can't recommend it enough. If you smoke cigarettes, this would blend wonderfully with it. Too bad, I quit. Edit: I do believe this could be worn through all seasons although everyone says strictly fall/winter you can get away with wearing this at NIGHTTIME in the spring/summer 100%. Anyway, I am going to macerate this sexy beast until the fall so it becomes even more potent...

Gosh I have a lot to say about this perfume. I need to remember to keep it respectful and age appropriate because OH MYYYY. When I first sprayed it, it smelled a lot like citruses. I don’t like a powerful citrus smell at all. But, the second it hit my skin and dried I think I went into another dimension. IT SMELLED SO GOOD. it became rich, animalistic, sexy, spicy. Imagine walking into a dark restaurant with wood burning in the fireplace and a sexy vibe with a strong smell of spices and incense. That’s how it felt. I felt sexy, I felt mature, I felt confident. genuinely best blind buy ever. I’m NEVER getting rid of this perfume. Also for people that say that it smells like a grandma, it smells like a SEXY grandma. I couldnt get the smell off of my neck after spraying twice so be careful!!! I really can’t believe that this perfume is real. It smells so good. (The one I have is the updated reformulation.) I RECOMMEND. BUY IT BUY IT.!!!!

I found a vintage (opaque-capped) bottle of this recently at a thrift store, and was immediately impressed by its bold complexity. It feels almost historical in its opulence, like it could have been the fragrance of an 18th century courtier as easily as a 1980's career woman. The main body of Obsession is comprised of warm, creamy, vanillic amber, with a very supple, almost chewy texture to it. That main body is swelled and embellished by a complex array of supporting notes - warm spices; dirty smoke; elegant, creamy florals; and a touch of bright, citrusy zest that lingers in the top notes for an hour or so before fading. It's almost regal in its weight and lavishness. Like an attractive young monarch, awoken from a midday nap, royal head crowned with messy curls; sensual and a little stroppy.

I haven't had the chance or luck to smell a preformulaton batch, but I absolutely love the modern formula too. Perfume is a subjective experience and you can tell from the various kinds of comments on this fragrance. To me it smells divine, like an ancient temple somewhere in the middle of the woods. It is a little screechy at first (which to be honest I don't mind at all) spray but it quickly mellows down and settles into the most beautiful spicy amber with some hints of incense. Someone here called it smells like a "sexy smoking grandma"😆, well if that is what a grandma smells like I don't mind at all, actually would love to smell like one. This just agrees with my skin (and as we now the skin is the last ingredient in every perfume and makes a big difference).

My first encounter with Obsession was not a pleasant one. It was wtf did I just buy!? It smelled like an 80's hair salon filled with middle aged women with big hair, so tacky and harsh, with some note that was really repulsive to my nose. But I decided to give it another chance. So I sprayed it on at home before bed a few days in a row. Around day four, magic happend. It somehow opened up, just like that. We started to get to know eachother. Suddenly it wasn't harsh and tacky but smooth and deep and warm and beautiful. I don't know what happened, it is still a mystery to me, but in a few days it turned from hate to absolute love. And quite a few compliments. Currently it is my favourite fragrance, especially when layered with CK Reveal or Burberry Goddess.

Pretty sure this is my 3rd or 4th review around here? Idk I’ll glaze this fragrance once a year if not every 6 months. I wish people appreciated this more because they’re seriously missing out 😭 being closed-minded and dismissing this because of its old-school scent profile would be their biggest mistake. This is THEEE vanilla with character and i mean FULL-ON character. Hella sexier than any current designer vanillas I can think of. Sharp green opening, animalic-floral heart, dries down to an incensey-resinous gothic smoke, then fully settles as an opulent, creamy, powdery, woody amber-vanilla with traces of petroleum depending on the day. LEARRRNNN how to love it. And yes, i’m forcing you to.

I remember one of my dads having the men's version of this, in the 90's, as an adult I shied away from Obsession altogether as I viewed the perfume as dated and too heavy a fragrance, fast forward I was given a Calvin Klein mini gift set that included this fragrance about 3 our 4 years ago that I never bothered to open with Obsession inside it. Recently while organizing I came across the gift set. I am in love at first whiff and can appreciate her for who she is now. It gives a woman who is mysterious and regal, who has a sultry and sensual air about her. Astrology Sign and Planet: Taurus Mars Chakra: Root Tarot Card: The Queen of Pentacles

2nd time reviewing because it’s deserved: Mmmm so divine. So witchy so sexy so rich so deep and unique. A scent for an authentic soul. If this speaks to you, you better WERK IT bravely into a sea of modern, sweet frags. I personally can’t wait as it inspires a mischievous confidence in me. My mom wore this in the 90s and nobody fxcked with my mama lol. There are a lot of amber spicy scents out there but this has so many nuances including some green and floral and barky bits that make it very well rounded and comforting. Just one of a kind! Muah!💋 PS this is always at Burlington or Marshall’s/TJ Maxx for cheap! Just scored a 1 oz for $16.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I’m so happy and satisfied as I just won the perfume “blind buy” lottery! This is spicy, juicy, warm, and obsessive. I thought I would smell mob wife vibe, but it’s more of the mob daughter! It’s playful, and cheeky, while sophisticated and “don’t dare label me”. It smells like its color, rich, and there is nothing putting off. Very well blended right from the beginning! I have a rule with perfumes as with people. I give you a chance if I like you from the very first interaction! With perfumes, the conversation starts with the top notes. We gonna be friends, baby 🥰🐒 , long term partners maybe! So happy ❤️♀️♀️

Pure lust in a bottle. Cannot count the number of times when catching a whiff of this fragrance on someone almost broke my neck to get a better smell of this heavenly creation. I just lose any semblance of composure and get weak knees when I smell this one, it's just that good. Beware though, the immediate initial spray will catch you off guard. This is the definition of spray and walk away. Just a couple of minutes is all you'll need and will be enveloped by a bubble of beautiful spices, amber and vanilla, while all the other notes will nicely blend into the 'Obsession' accord of soft musky, fruity, floral symphony.

I bought this as a potential alternative to Lonestar Memories. The opening is a bit too citrus heavy for such an intense amber base but once it dries down, they are pretty similar. Obsessions dry down is a warm spicy almost barbershop amber. I see why people think it’s too intense with the sharp opening. The incense is really mild but I think it gets stronger as time goes on. Lonestar has a leather note that sets them apart but I would recommend this as a more accessible alternative. If you like Obsession and are looking for something a little more smoky and complex, Lonestar Memories might be a good choice for you.

This fragrance is truly amazing when worn correctly (not too much). Such a warm and delightful one, powerful as well. Slightly animalic, but leans more towards resins and sandalwood. I own old and new formulations and while there are differences I find them all charming and worthy. This is obviously unisex and now adays projects far above it's price range. Treads dangerously close to gourmand territory. The brighter notes listed don't ever take a spotlight when i observe, but i'm sure that they are responsible for that bright lift that is also present in this one, which keeps it from smelling stale or cloying.

Obsession is really a great fragrance,one of the best classic perfumes. I currently have both male and female versions and this is basically the same fragrance. The difference is as you can tell by the juice color,the female EDP is stronger and lasts longer than the male EDT version. Very beautiful smell of incense,vanilla and spices. I don't think there is civet,this is a very strong animalic note and here i don't get it. If you like sweet and spicy fragrances definately try Obsession,better go with the female version because it's stronger. Great price also.

I'm a 46 year old MALE. I own a 1990s vintage bottle of Obsession EDP for women. (I also own the current men's Obsession EDT). This vintage women's bottle is INCREDIBLE. Infinitey better than the mens. Its an extremely unisex fragrance, especially by today's standards. The drydown is so creamy and full of beautiful vanilla and amber. Longevity and projection on this is amazing. Does anyone know if the current Obsession EDP formulation is any good? How does it compare to the vintage? The men's current formulation is a shell of its former self, unfortunately.

This is such a beauty, I absolutely love it!! I have known the name of this perfume like forever, but never tried it before. Now I have blind bought it and I can’t believe how absolutely perfect the scent is. Not vintage, not boring at all, like I was worried it would be. It is elegant and playful at the same time as reviewer below wrote and quite sensual. I love how it evolves and I love how the smoke note influences the way the whole composition feels. It is similar to Dior Addict, but less dense/creamy. It is airier and has that irresistible smoke note.

Obsession is perhaps one of the most controversial designer perfumes of the 80s and 90s; spicy and smoky on an olfactory level, erotic and spectral on an emotional level. When I wear it I like to imagine myself as Kate Moss in the 1993 commercial directed by Mario Sorrenti: an innocent, lost and delicately possessed figure. Obsession was born as a masterpiece and has remained so, it is a viaticum for unusual journeys of the psyche, it is the snapshot of a decade full of elaborate extremism and minimalist rigors. Whether we like it or not, it is history.

Very unique, strong, and warm. Cinnamon is not listed as a note, but there is an overall impression of it. I smell cinnamon, tea, and a subtle civet note. This is a very warm perfume without being gourmand. Floral, but in a dried herbs way, not a fresh flower. It reminds me of sipping a piping hot cup of black tea with orange and cinnamon sticks. I would say it's not a safe blind buy. Very feminine. Sexy and sophisticated, not matronly or juvenile. Not for the faint of heart. Suits the fall and winter, It would be too much for the summer.

I have adored this beautiful perfume since 2012. I've started collecting old vintages of this one. On my wedding day, June 14, 2025, I wore drops of Obsession, parfum splash, from the release year of 1985. It lasted all day and into the evening. CK Obsession, along with YSL Opium, are my top two signature fragrances of all time. They both speak to my soul and strike a chord with the universe. Both amazing pieces of artistry. Plus, my kitty can't get enough of it. Every time I wear it, she jumps up on the couch and cuddles up.

this smells pretty incensey and dark to me. I get lots of lemon and basil in the top. It's almost like frankincense, which is an incense with a similar citrusy edge. Pretty earthy and green which gives it a masculine edge, but its unisex, and a pretty standard vintage women's scent. Nothing too challenging as long as you've smelled and liked that sort of old profile. I don't detect anything nasty animalic, it smells very pleasant. guys, i love the 80's commercials though. they're kinda addicting to watch.

In the beginning Obsession smells like a tangy dry amber, oudh and cinnamon with no sweetness. And i was starting to dread that i may have made a mispurchase. But after about 20 minutes the perfume develops beautifully on my skin. And i smell powdery rose, soft orange flowers & white chocolate with a faint non offensive hint of incence. It smells how i imagine a vintage perfume to have smelled like when it was newly brought out. This really is a developing perfume. Glad i waited for it, now I love it.

I haven’t worn Obsession since last fall. After days on end of rain and cool temperatures, I recently brought it out and have worn it every day for a solid week, reapplied for bedtime, enveloping myself in an Obsession cocoon. In this damp, cool environment, the middle notes, especially spices (I get cinnamon and star anise in particular) are dominant along with the ever present pure vanilla. It’s a beautiful, perfect autumn perfume that has the longevity of a vintage scent on both skin and fabric.

i can't stop smelling it. smells so vintage and timeless. it is classy, spicy and intoxicating. it's such a recognizable scent, even my mom recognized and said she feels nostalgic about it. it brings her memories to my grandfather wearing it. it warms my heart thinking about it 🥹♡ it's so affordable yet it will last you for a long time. it is not for the gen z, yep you wont like this one. you would definitely call it old fashioned because it doesn't smell like florals and sweet gourmand.

a mature scent similar to ysl’s og opium. i’m 22 and have really enjoyed wearing this for a week or so. i wanted a warm and spicy perfume for this autumn/winter and obsession is exactly that. only need two sprays to last through out the day as it is quite strong, and after a couple hours it becomes a lovely warm vanilla that stays close to the skin. definitely would recommend to people that like something a bit old fashioned and distinctive! a favourite of both mine and my mums <3

When this opens it's an obnoxious overpowering synthetic blast. After settling for 5 minutes it becomes a gorgeous spicy musky animalic soapy fragrance. It reminds me a lot of Imperial Leather and Pears soap but spicier. The extreme soapy quality in this is what distinguishes it from other classic Orientals such as Tabu, Opium, Youth-Dew, Coco, Giorgio Red and Cinnabar. I absolutely love this fragrance but the opening is honestly off putting but once dried down it's divine.

On me, the dry down is the most beautiful musky vanilla cinnamon and it only gets better on colder days. I get the scratchy green notes only for 5mins after I apply it and they do remind me of a plant based sore throat medicine. I can easily get past these opening notes because it settles in the sexiest, warmest scent ever. I love the bottle design & its legacy. I feel like I am wearing a fur coat each time I use this perfume. Forever in my rotation for late autumn/winter

90s old money. Black smokey eyes and brown lip liner. A tattooed Monroe beauty mark. Dirty Martinis with three olives. Caffettiera espresso. Vintage brown mink fur coats. Black lace lingerie with the suspender stockings to match. Versace stiletto heels. Chanel Jumbo purses. Oversized sunglasses. Silk head scarves. Long square french nails. Cigarettes after sex (you only smoke Marlboro Golds). A New Yawk accent. Your favourite colour is leopard print.

I own about 200 perfumes; all of them are men's, even the unisex perfumes that I have; they lean towards men's taste. This is the only perfume (marketed as a women's perfume) I've ever owned, and I've repurchased it whenever I've run out. This is a niche-level perfume, complex, long-lasting, and smells expensive, recognisable, and unique. For my nose, it smells significantly better than many niche perfumes.

Another one of my favorites. Another one I wore when I was younger and still wears to this day. This is a deeply sexy scent, not dark but deeply sexy. It more has the power to draw you in and show you the mysterious side. It radiates off you like your own world of spicy autumns and winter nights. It smells like you want to cuddle up and stay close. I still wear it for those reasons.

I have a tiny sample bottle of og formula that I was given when I was 11. A personally nostalgic and also very vintage scent. Absolutely love the balance of florals with wood and musk. Powdery and complex, it’s giving impeccably stylish great aunty. I’ve worn this under fur coats to go out during multiple Montreal winters and this combination feels thematically appropriate.