Dark Obsession Calvin Klein cologne – a fragrance for men 2013

This is a review for the body spray that I happened to acquire even before this has hit the store shelves as I write this on 07 March 2013.

After spraying a generous amount to my one arm, I had to get over the “Axe Effect” of being overwhelmed by that bitter aerosol smell common in body sprays. As the true part of the scent emerges, I am met with a good dose of mandarin and sweet amber notes. The original Obsession was never this sweet. As the top notes settle, I smell something familiar giving that homage to the original. In smoother tones, you smell the familiar aromatic lavender and pine notes of the original, but clearly made more fresher with the lingering mandarin. The powdery notes of the original is still here. My nose says they used a synthetic iris, but it could very well be the labdanum that I’m smelling. I like the use of vetiver to support the powdery notes. This combo of powder and vetiver reminds me a lot Chanel No 19 Poudre, but deeper.

There’s a good depth to this scent, but in a modern, more crowd pleasing angle by breathing in fresh facets of notes, definitely not like the musky and warm aromatic of the original. For me, this is good, I really got overwhelmed quickly with the original.

To compare the weight of the scent, you can clearly tell Dark Obsession is a less complex, dumbed down, far less piney aromatic wisp of the original. In truth, I love the original, but only when I felt that I wanted to smell a little brasher, a little more retro.

The base notes are not all to revolutionary. At this point it reminds me a bit of Christian Audigier for Him, but doesn’t smell so cheap, and smells a little more well put together.

I like this scent! Definitely far better than the quirky and odd melange of CK Encounter, which my attention to it lasted only about a day and a half. Truly regretted getting a bottle. I know I bought it because, at that time, it smelled different, but I was too compulsive in buying it on the spot because Encounter isn’t really all to memorable for me.

If the EdT smells anything like this body spray, I am truly happy. I found a 4 oz. tester for cheap and on its way to me as I write this review.

The name finally rings true. I do find it obsessive now. Honestly the original really didn’t do it for me, though I did like the notes on the final drydown after spicy aromatics which I get sick of after a while. If anyone remembers Obsession Night, it was a total joke, a totally misdirected concept where they felt they had to cash in on the craze for “evening” inspired scents like Polo Black, and Armani Black Code. Obsession Night did smell nice to an extent, a fresh but slightly warm, creamy sandalwood smell, but nothing to make it stand the test of time. Perhaps Dark Obsession might hang around a little longer. I think it is definitely a crowd pleaser.