Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I could earn a commission if you purchase something you like through one of these links.

Calvin Klein Obsession for men is a fragrance that has been clinging to store shelves since its release in 1986. There have, of course, been many reformulations over the years, like many others from the 80s, but it is still relatively popular amongst the older generations of men. Love it or hate it, this stuff has stood the test of time, so let’s take a look to see what the fuss is all about.

Appearance

The bottle is simplistic, elegant looking and easily recognisable. It’s not one of my favourite designs, as I prefer something with a more distinctive look. It does, in my opinion, look a bit on the generic side, although the colours give it a warm and ambient-like glow which is quite lovely.

Where to buy

My bottle has been in my collection for quite some time, so long I can’t remember when or where I bought it. I know it to be a relatively cheap fragrance that you can easily pick up almost anywhere for around £20-30 as well as a ladies’ version.

I have heard that some men prefer the ladies’ version because it performs better, which I find pretty odd. I can’t understand for the life of me why anyone would be unsatisfied with the performance of this one; more on that in a second.

When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.

They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.

Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇

The scent

According to Fragrantica, the top notes are cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, bergamot and grapefruit. Middle notes are myrrh, nutmeg, carnation, Brazilian rosewood, pine tree, sage, jasmine and red berries. The base notes are amber, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli and vetiver.

I will say straight off the bat, the coriander and cinnamon are the most prominent notes I can smell here, particularly in the opening. It then matures into a more woody, spicy and amber scent. This fragrance is something you would imagine someone like David Hasselhoff or Tom Selleck would have worn back in the 80s. If you have smelled this stuff, you’ll understand what I mean.

Is it manly?

It has a distinct ‘manly man from the 80s’ vibe, miles apart from any of today’s current releases. If you’re into powerful, spicy and oriental scents from this era, you might want to check this one out.

Want to try this fragrance on your skin?

If you’d prefer to sample it first, these are my two favourite
and most reliable places to get authentic decants:

Performance

In terms of longevity, this stuff is never ending and will last all day and beyond, especially if you get it on your clothes (don’t get it on your clothes). I would say two or three sprays maximum with this one, or you WILL start to choke people out.

Projection is very powerful, and it will perform like an absolute beast, so there are no issues there. The problem is that the smell got cloying after a few hours and almost made me want to take another shower.

Put it this way, after one spray this morning, I can STILL smell it 10 hours later as I am writing this on my commute home from work, and quite frankly, it isn’t enjoyable. I would say that this is too strong and sickly for an everyday scent, and you will probably want to save it for occasional use in colder weather. Do not even think about wearing it in the summer unless you’re a total b*****d.

Now I love a powerhouse as much as the next man, but I can’t seem to get on with this one. It just feels too nauseating, and it starts to grate on me as it progresses throughout the day.

Conclusion

Putting my comments and opinions aside, I acknowledge and respect that this fragrance is still loved by many and for a good reason. It is only fair to say that given the relatively low price, this is still excellent value for money IF (and that’s a big if) you like these types of scents. Let me know what you guys think.

I hope this review has been helpful to you, and do stay tuned for more of my thoughts on the best and worst men’s products of all time.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.

It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.