Obsession 1985 Eau de Parfum

Obsession (Eau de Parfum) by Calvin Klein
Bottle Design Pierre Dinand
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7.7 / 10 690 Ratings
A popular perfume by Calvin Klein for women, released in 1985. The scent is spicy-oriental. Projection and longevity are above-average. It is being marketed by Coty.
Pronunciation
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Main accords

Spicy
Oriental
Woody
Animal
Sweet

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
VanillaVanilla BasilBasil BergamotBergamot Green notesGreen notes Mandarin orangeMandarin orange PeachPeach
Heart Notes Heart Notes
Exotic spicesExotic spices CedarCedar CorianderCoriander JasmineJasmine Orange blossomOrange blossom SandalwoodSandalwood RoseRose
Base Notes Base Notes
AmberAmber VanillaVanilla CivetCivet FrankincenseFrankincense MuskMusk OakmossOakmoss VetiverVetiver

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.7690 Ratings
Longevity
8.6553 Ratings
Sillage
8.2541 Ratings
Bottle
6.4537 Ratings
Value for money
8.8221 Ratings
Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 03/20/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
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Obsession for Men (Eau de Toilette) by Calvin Klein
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Verité by Harry Lehmann
Verité

Reviews

35 in-depth fragrance descriptions
5
Bottle
10
Sillage
10
Longevity
10
Scent
LadyRogue

166 Reviews
LadyRogue
LadyRogue
Top Review 8  
I'm Bringing Sexy Back
A modern classic that is smooth, sexy, sultry and sensual. It's all about exotic spices, incense, sandalwood, musk, oakmoss and in the distance, florals that surrendered their innocence to the sensual attack of this smooth mixture of sex in a bottle.
Hours of passion carelessly wrapped up in black satin sheets...Or a walk through an autumnal forrest where bonfires are lit and are scented with natures spices.
Earthy and primal....this Obsession continues to lead us astray in the most delightful way. Forget 'cute', 'floral' or 'sweet' this is a wicked scent -- a wicked scent that has always been, and always will be part of my collection for all those cozy or wicked moods ; )

Silage is: "come hither....I know you can't resist." -- Longevity is: 8+ hours and the drydown is just as yummy as the first and middle stage: smooth amber and vanilla kisses. x.x.x
0 Comments
7.5
Sillage
7.5
Longevity
6
Scent
Missk

1357 Reviews
Missk
Missk
Very helpful Review 9  
Heady spices
Obsession, well what can I say, a true masterpiece is what you are.

This fragrance is everything that you could ever want in an oriental. It's spicy, warm, incensey, sensual, beautiful, rich and utterly breath-taking.

Unfortunately Obsession does tend to turn away a lot of people with its opening, which is indeed very heavy and thick, almost polluting the air. However, I cannot urge others enough to let this fragrance develop, because that's where the real magic lies.

When the initial intensity subsides, Obsession transforms into an alluring and comforting spicy-sweet scent. Vanilla, incense, cedar, amber, jasmine, coriander and a variety of spices all blend together creating a delicious aroma that is almost good enough to eat.

When tastefully applied (that is, sprayed sparingly), Obsession is somewhat mysterious and utterly gorgeous. Unfortunately many have been exposed to this fragrance when its wearer has overloaded themselves in this rather potent juice, therefore resulting in many people disliking this scent.

I think it's a shame that a lot of people dismiss fragrances from the 80's simply because they find them dated or too strong. One thing that's for sure, they don't make scents like this anymore.
0 Comments
5
Bottle
10
Sillage
10
Longevity
3
Scent
Asphaltblume

45 Reviews
Asphaltblume
Asphaltblume
Very helpful Review 7  
More retro than classic
Obsession is a real blast, no doubt about that. Intensive, unmistakable, loud. And beautiful, too.
On my skin it develops as a mixture of musk, spices, amber and musk that is vibrantly erotic. Did I mention musk? And spices?
Obsession is obviously no current fragrance but a child of its time - and even then, back in the 80s it was a loud and unmistakable fragrance. And immensely popular.
Insofar it is dated, more retro than classic and it can certainly feel fusty, regardless of its vibrant eroticity: It depends entirely of its wearer's bearing which way it turns out.

Because Obsession is so immensely potent and projecting I strongly recommend to use it sparingly. It's supposed to be breathtaking, yes - but not suffocating in the way that requires an emergency doctor.
This might sound negative but I don't mean it that way! Applied carefully and delicately on the right person it's a truly wonderful fragrance!
1 Comment
7
Scent
Awesomeness

247 Reviews
Awesomeness
Awesomeness
Very helpful Review 8  
Skank tested. Skank approved.
Today I wore CK Obsession for the first time in a long time, and I wore with an entirely new reference in mind - skank. So, with skank in mind, what does CK Obsession smell like?

70% Dana Tabu (vintage)
30% Femme Rochas

I put Obsession on, and Tabu immediately came to mind. However, as it wears, I find that Obsession has the same in-your-skin quality that Femme does. I checked the notes, and the similarities are there - the peach, cinnamon & vanilla of Femme and the spices, amber & civet of Tabu. Obsession also has a bit of a powdery quality, which I adore but might turn off many. Overall, I think Obsession is a bit "mature" in the sense that I can't imagine many 20 year olds wanting to wear this - in the 1980s & 1990s, yes, but in the 2000s & 2010s, no way.

I think Tabu and Femme are much easier to wear than Obsession, primarily because many of the CK fragrances have a white floral note that irritates me sometimes. Tabu and Femme also are smoother and closer wearing than Obsession.

Although I like Obsession, my DH loves it on me. Yes, it's true - men love Obsession on women. But if truth be told, I prefer Tabu & Femme.

Skank tested. Skank approved.
1 Comment
7.5
Bottle
10
Sillage
10
Longevity
9
Scent
Karinoula

82 Reviews
Karinoula
Karinoula
Very helpful Review 2  
Spice magnet
I really love this perfume and I don't know how blind I was not to have spotted this so long. It is a superb smell which lasts all day and if preferably wearable for winter. The incense along with spices makes it a total mysterious and rare perfume. My husband likes it too.
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Statements

8 short views on the fragrance
ElysiumElysium 6 years ago
7
Bottle
6
Sillage
7
Longevity
9
Scent
What if the female version is even better than the male one? I've stolen it from a friend of mine, it's so sensual, animal, warm, addictive!
1 Comment
HugoMontezHugoMontez 2 years ago
9
Bottle
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
8.5
Scent
A classic oriental scent with cinnamon, vanilla, sandalwood and a "plastic doll" accord. Very alluring. A must have for any amber lover. 4/5
0 Comments
KimJongKimJong 4 years ago
6
Bottle
6
Sillage
8
Longevity
7
Scent
Current version: Herbal amber. Not very animalic. The traces of that once shone brilliantly seem to remain, but now it's not same as before.
0 Comments
NoturfaveNoturfave 3 months ago
5
Bottle
7
Sillage
4
Longevity
7.5
Scent
Vintage is sweet/powdery and lasts for days on clothes, with nice friendly civet like cat fur. 2024 version is basil citrus water.
0 Comments
MerlotsupernMerlotsupern 4 months ago
Strong resemblance to Lagerfeld Classic, and unfortunately it smells quite dated to me. Good for those who enjoy 80-90s perfumery.
0 Comments
Jazzy76Jazzy76 7 years ago
4
Bottle
6
Sillage
9
Longevity
7.5
Scent
A late love. In fact, at the first spray I thought it was a medicinal syrop ...but after an hour the base notes bewitched me . I love it!
0 Comments
MatuxMatux 4 years ago
Somehow what Obsession for Men used to be. Layer both, you will have a clue what was all about.
0 Comments
TruckladyTrucklady 6 years ago
8
Bottle
8
Sillage
7
Longevity
7
Scent
Don't even know why I own it. Shit me then and shits me now. Give me the guy's one any day.
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