Calvin Klein

CK One vs CK Be Fragrance Comparison

by

Today, I want to take a closer look at and compare two hit unisex fragrances from the 1990s, CK One and CK Be. These Calvin Klein perfumes were best sellers of their time and are still going strong two decades later. The question begs however, which of these scents is better? Which has the best scent? Lasts longer? Is the better buy? Please continue below as I break down this head to head match up of the Calvin Klein family of fragrances.

Comparing Calvin Klein’s CK One and CK Be

CK Be Tale of the Tape

Notes include: magnolia, peach, lavender, musk, sandalwood, bergamot, mint, vanilla

rp_ck-be-300x263.jpg

Read my original CK Be Review

Click here to try: Ck Be by Calvin Klein for Women, Eau De Toilette, 3.4 Ounce

CK One Tale of the Tape

Notes: papaya, pineapple and jasmine. green tea and amber

ck one

Read my CK One Review

Try CK One: Ck One by Calvin Klein for Men and Women, Eau De Toilette, 1.7 Ounce

Opening

The opening of CK Be is a fresh blend of mostly lavender, with citrus, mint and sandalwood notes, which feels very familiar and clean. The orange note here, is a very light touch, especially when compared to the bold citrus found in One.

As it moves a bit further along, Be starts to take on more of its floral character. It’s got a musky clean, sort of soapy quality, with the introduction of mostly freesia.

CK One is also very fresh and clean but instead utilizes the citrus, pineapple, and green floral notes to create a light yet quite attractive aroma.

CK One starts off with an initial burst of its citrus and tropical fruit notes. Lots of pineapple, papaya, lemon, and bergamot. This is joined by a nice little green tea note, and the slight warmth of cardamom.

One has a very citrus opening, that has a watery, almost aquatic feel. This is flanked by its tea influence and musk.

It depends on your tastes, but I think One is the winner. To me, it’s opening act, is just more interesting. Hell, its an extremely famous smell at this point. I do love the fruity notes, but the green tea, is just an added delicious touch.

Edge: One

Projection

Neither one of these scents is a monster in terms of how it projects. These are lighter, casual fragrances, meant to be inoffensive and universally enjoyed.

That being said, CK One is the stronger scent of the two. Be can be a very light almost skin type of fragrance. At first, Be is pretty good, but it gets quite light.

I think CK One is a light to moderate sillage perfume. You’re going to notice, that it is there, much more so than Be. The opening hour or so, with One is fairly strong, and definitely projects itself a decent distance.

Edge: One

Longevity

CK Be has longevity issues. Like, it will last around 4-5 hours…I’m pretty sure that reformulations took away some of its staying power from how it used to be.

CK One gives decent longevity, again, it’s not a beast by any means but it gets the job done fairly well. The most recent bottles that I’ve tried out, still lasted 6-7 hours, on my skin.

Again, both of these used to be better, but One was always the better performer of the two. CK Be, used to get, about what One achieves nowadays.

Edge: One

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are casual wears, that seem to work best in warmer weather. Neither is a nighttime or date night type of scent. Really no difference in this regard.

Each of these perfumes, skews toward a younger audience. These were and still are to some extent, staples in the world of high school and college age.

Yes, anyone can indeed wear these fragrances, but don’t expect some super formal usage out of either.

I’d stick to both being more of a daily wear for younger people or something to throw on casually, if you’re someone older who enjoys how they smell. That’s how I’ve used either, in the past.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like how both of these fragrances smell. They are both unisex and as such they enjoy a wide appeal from a great number of people.

CK Be, while smelling quite nice, has some pretty noticeable longevity issues which only serves to undermine its case here. I do like the warmth of this composition, as well as the lavender cleanliness.

It has enough of a spicy kick from fresh notes like mint and juniper to keep it interesting. It does have a bit of depth, with its fairly short lived, floral period.

Ultimately, it’s a nice smelling perfume, that has seen better performance days. It does have a more unique formula than One, which has been imitated more so over the years, and lost some of its unique status.

CK One on the other hand, is still a classic, and while you won’t be wearing a niche scent in using it…One gets the job done as a solid casual fragrance.

I love its balance as a fragrance, it truly is one of the all-timers, for a unisex wear. The fruity opening is great, along with the green tea. It still shines during its dry down, as it becomes a greener, a bit muskier, with a super fresh cedar finish.

Yes, it’s lost a bit of its punch, but for the prices you can find it at; I still feel that it has plenty of value as a casual fragrance for men or women. It’s still among the best Calvin Klein has ever produced.

Winner: CK One

CK One by Calvin Klein

by

In the late 1980s through the mid 1990s, there were few bigger names in popular fashion than Calvin Klein. From the famous jeans advertisements, to the black and white fragrance commercials which stirred up some controversy, CK had  created quite a brand.

The thing is that the line of scents for men and women is still highly popular today, as they are always among the best sellers at any online retailer. Perhaps the most popular of all is one of the unisex fragrances, CK One.

If you’re new to fragrances or too young to remember when this scent was everywhere, you probably have some questions. What does CK One Smell like? How long does it last? Is it still worth a try?

Note: I have updated this review some 8+ years after the original, to expand and add upon it. Check Out: 7 Best Calvin Klein Fragrances for Men

What does CK One by Calvin Klein Smell Like?

ck one

Notes: papaya, bergamot, lemon, cedar, cardamom, musk, green tea, pineapple and jasmine. green tea and amber

Click here to try: Calvin Klein ck one Eau de Toilette, 6.7 Fl Oz

My Full Review

As a unisex fragrance, CK One had to tiptoe the line between being too masculine and too feminine in the risk of alienating one gender or the other of its customer base.

It just so happens that they accomplished, almost perfectly, a scent which would appeal to both and enjoy massive popularity.

This is what makes CK One such a great starter fragrance or inexpensive every day wearer, its universality. It can be put on and enjoyed by almost anyone.

Its notes are a blend of fruit and more earthy or woodsy ones. However, CK One doesn’t have a heavy or rugged aroma to it, it is clean and warm instead. The papaya and pineapple help to give this scent a light sweetness, which I think plays a major part in its appeal.

The opening is a blast of citrus and the tropical fruits. Lots of lemon and bergamot, that is matched up with papaya and the pineapple.

The is also a hint of green tea with cardamom giving it a slight spice (and perhaps a further lemony tinge). That spice doesn’t hang around too long nor get too intense, but it is there.

The citrus notes feel pretty watery and the musk and floral notes come in rather quickly to generate a soapy quality to CK One.

It’s really not overly soapy, in my mind as I’ve come across fragrances that do it to a much greater extent, but it definitely provides that lighter lathery freshness.

As it dries down, the intensity of the opening citrus notes begin to subside, and it becomes much more green and floral. The base is still musky and woody with the cedar note, but on top of that, is mostly jasmine and lily-of-the-valley.

This is probably the most ‘feminine’ part of the wear, but even still, CK One manages to straddle that line so well. I think that the lemony citrus and the base notes, sort of offset the floral aspects of this fragrance, even when a powdery element emerges.

What I get in the end is, a just out of the shower freshness, with lemon and papaya notes that are met by green floral ingredients. There is a light musk and a woody base holding the whole thing together.

The floral elements are a nice touch. Not too heavy, but a soft jasmine and lily influence, really helps to balance this scent out. Enough to give One, its unisex designation.

One thing that I really like about CK One, is that even after 20 years since its release, its still feels modern and fresh. It really hasn’t lost its luster to me. The notes just give off this crisp energy which invigorates your senses and gathers complements from those around you.

Again, this is not a niche fragrance, which will be a unique find or only some people will enjoy but that doesn’t make a bad scent, it is a best-seller for a reason.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it is a light to moderate fragrance. The sillage isn’t super strong, but it was always noticeable. Boy, did you get to notice this stuff back in the 90s, it was on nearly everyone it seems.

For me, One is pretty strong for about 1-2 hours, then becomes much lighter. The initial citrus and tropical fruit, does lend itself to having the illusion of a greater sillage, than may actually be the case.

The longevity is solid, 6-7 hours still seems capable with this stuff, perhaps vintage bottle went even longer.

Seasonally, it was always more of a spring/summer scent, but this was around all the time and can go year round. Super unisex, depending on what part of the wear it leans one way or the other.

This one is very youthful and casual. I’d wear it on a warm day, just hanging around, or out for errands. It’s one of those scents that is great for teenagers and college students to wear to class or wherever.

Overall Impressions of CK One

Overall, CK One is a great scent for those who want something youthful, those who want a versatile everyday wearer, those who like clean and energetic scents that aren’t too manly or too girly, and those who just appreciate a good fragrance.

It was a massive success when it came out and is still selling bottle to this day. Is it super amazing? I mean, nowadays, it is commonplace and isn’t all that exciting. It is pleasant, fresh, and very nostalgic. It still performs and has a scent that people have always enjoyed.

Nonetheless, I still like CK One, and enjoy revisiting this scent from time to time. There are a lot of fragrances from the 1990s, that aren’t around anymore, but this one keeps chugging along.

It’s for sure still worth checking out, if not just for nostalgic reasons. I will say, I’d want a discount versus paying full retail for it. That’s usually not too difficult to accomplish, but full price seems like a bit of a stretch nowadays.

Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein

by

Calvin Klein has a long history in the fragrance market, dating back to the 1980s. The most amazing part of this fact, is that, many of the scents are still best sellers every year, despite the fact they have been around for so long.

One of the colognes, is Eternity for Men, which debuted way back in 1990 and is still going strong. It has been a while since I’d smelled this fragrance, so, I ordered a sample vial to refresh my memory and decided to write a review.

Also see: The Best Calvin Klein Colognes for Men

What does Eternity for Men Smell Like?

eternity

Notes include: lavender, mandarin, basil, jasmine, sage, sandalwood, amber, rosewood, vetiver, geranium

Click here to try: Eternity for Men

My Full Wear Review

What I’ve always appreciated about Eternity is how simple of a scent it is. Not necessarily, in its complexity of notes but more of its consistency and how you know exactly what you’re getting out of it.

There are many colognes out there with severe performance issues or will take on completely different vibes in different environments but this Calvin Klein fragrance always seems consistent.

It’s opening is very clean and crisp. The lavender note is what I detect throughout and helps to give it an almost soapy quality to it, similar to the lavender in a body wash like, Axe Night.

However, those two scent wholly diverge after that, Eternity has a citrus quality to it from the mandarin and lemon notes, which is complemented by an accord of greens.

The notes that are the strongest or most detectable in Eternity for Men are the lavender, sandalwood, and vetiver. It’s a very smooth and calming type of scent which I would describe as masculine without become too dark and heavy.

Again, the citric and floral notes help to lighten this cologne up a bit and make it more appealing.

There is also the herbal spice contingent, lead by sage, which is most noticeable to my nose after the initial wave of the opening few minutes. It of course, gets subsumed somewhat by the soapy aroma, but it is there in varying strengths throughout.

The drydown period is where I think that Eternity really starts to come into its own, as a fragrance. The woody notes, herbal spice, and other earth ingredients play around in the background quite well.

The rosewood and sandalwood combination is great, with the latter being dominant in the composition. It all comes together as green, clean, with the citrus top notes still powering through, this late in the game.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Its projection is good to very good on my skin. I can certainly detect it and so can those around me but not in an overwhelming or offensive way. Is it long-lasting? It’s moderate in that regard.

Not one that I will smell like 10 hours later or anything like that but neither is it a fragrance which will disappear in 2-3 hours. I have gotten 5-7 hours usually out of it depending on the day, environment, what I’m doing, etc.

I’m sure the performance has probably changed over the years, since that is pretty standard with reformulations, and the like. Even if that’s the case, Eternity for Men still holds up well, where so many others have faltered.

Seasonally, it has always struck me as a springtime sort of scent, or during the early days of autumn, before it really gets chilly. Of course, it can go year round if need be, but that’s the impression it gives off in my mind.

It can be worn casually or a daily office wear. It’s clean enough to be at least semi-formal, but doesn’t have that high end quality, really. It is attractive, has a bit of sexiness, but isn’t a scent that will knock anyone’s socks off. Eternity is appreciated well, overall.

It kind of does skew younger in its use case, but doesn’t have a teenager vibe. Older men can wear this, if they are inclined.

Overall Impressions of Eternity for Men

Overall, this is a very attractive scent. Women seem to like it and it is versatile enough to wear on pretty much any occasion. It is not a cologne which is wholly unique and will make you stand out but it is really nice for what it is.

Eternity is a relatively safe and inexpensive choice as a daily wear, with solid performance and attractiveness. I wouldn’t be opposed to having a small bottle around again for myself on those days where I just want something simple.

Eternity for Men holds up well, even after the passing of decades. It’s a modern classic and one that should continue to have fans for the long haul.

It’s not a world changing scent, but one for guys in their late teens to late twenties (and perhaps beyond) to wear when they need a basic and safe cologne. I have begun to really like Eternity Aqua over this one and spray it on during the summer. So, that’s another option.

Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein

by

For this installment of my reviews of Calvin Klein colognes for men, we are going to hit the way back machine and take a look at Obsession, the classic CK scent from the 1980s. This is one of the scents which helped to put the designer’s fragrance line on the map and has been a very good seller ever since its release. Let’s take an opportunity to give this now classic fragrance an overview of what makes it so.

Update: I’ve update and edited this review, to expand upon, and give additional thoughts on this cologne. List of the best Calvin Klein fragrances for men!

What Does CK Obsession for Men Smell Like?

rp_obsession-300x300.jpg

Notes include: mandarin and spice, with low tones of musk, sandalwood and amber

Shop on Amazon: Calvin Klein OBSESSION for Men Eau de Toilette, 4 fl. oz.

My Full Wear Review

One of the first things that I have always noticed, about Obsession, is its warmth and notes of spice. It is a rather complex and rich fragrance and unlike a scent such as Opium Pour Homme, its spice is less Oriental and more of a fragrant cinnamon bouquet.

This scent is really interesting because it also has some fruity top notes like tangerine along with some more subdued floral notes which lend it an earthy or woodsy quality.

However, it opens up with mostly the cinnamon coming through as the main spice, as it will for the rest of the wear. In the beginning stages, it is joined by a variety of citrus notes from lime, mandarin, and the aforementioned tangerine.

To my nose, the citrus really doesn’t come across as juicy, more of an impression of dried fruit with lavender and the spice.

The fruity opening transitions away and a more floral heart begins to peak through. This is when obsession begins to feel warmer. This is when I really start to notice the woody notes, as well. It a blend of spice and sweetness, with a woodsy base.

Rosewood, nutmeg, jasmine, and sandalwood join the cinnamon and lavender (which will weaken, a bit later).

Finally, we get to what I mostly experience for the rest of the wear. It’s a cinnamon amber blend with vanilla highlights. That is the main attraction and it sits on a bed of sandalwood, random flowers, and spices. Very attractive and cozy, while still having a stylish feeling, after these ensuing decades.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

The warmth and the blend of herbal spice and florals lend credence to the fact that Obsession is a very nice cologne for the winter months. I think that anyone who says it doesn’t project well, might be wearing it in the wrong climate, as I think that it hangs beautifully in the crisp and cold air.

The sillage itself, probably isn’t going to take over a room, but you do get solid projection within the first few hours. After that, it is definitely respectable, and not weak at all. In my experience, it is much better in this regard, than many of the other CK fragrances.

Its longevity is average in my opinion, though, it can become overpowering when over-sprayed and have a tendency to permeate from clothing or skin. It is a moderate cologne to the extent that it is used in moderation.

It will seem to go on my skin, for anywhere between 5-7 hours, and this is the latest batch that I’ve gotten a hold of.

Most of the CK fragrances will fall into this range. Some less than that, but this is what the majority seem to be capable of nowadays.

Seasonally, save this one for the colder months, as I’ve written. It’s not too joyous of a wear in the heat and humidity. In the crisp air of autumn or winter, Obsession really comes to life between the warm comforting amber and the spiciness of cinnamon.

It actually is a versatile scent, in that, it can still be worn by any age group.

Obsession for Men can fit in a wide variety of situations, during the day, while pull double duty at night. Women like it, men like it…there’s a reason this was a best-seller and still moves units.

If you’re younger, you can wear this. It does have a different style than what you might be used to, but it’s worth a try. If you like Obsession, it’s one that you can get a lot of use out of in high school or college.

Overall Impressions of Obsession

Overall, I still think that this is one of the top fragrances by Calvin Klein and is simply a classic. There have of course been reformulations, over the years, but the newer batches seem to be on the right track.

Is it exactly the same as 1986? I doubt it. I wasn’t around for the original, but the newer editions, certainly hold up well. Plus, you can find bottles of this stuff at discounters for a good amount below retail. It can be a nice value play.

It is a mature fragrance for everyday wear, and is also inexpensive, so those are some definite pluses that Obsession has going for it. The complexity is still there and it has an interesting life cycle.

Yes, it is different from most of the more modern releases, but that doesn’t detract at all for me. In fact, I tend to dig this one, even more. It’s really delicious and a pleasant experience to wear. Pick up a bottle, Obsession is still, a damn good fragrance.

8 Best Calvin Klein Colognes for Men

by

Calvin Klein is a designer who was made famous for his jeans and underwear during the 1980s. However, his fragrance collection for men and women has become a huge business in itself.

CK scents enjoy a mass popularity with people and you will always find 3-4 each year that among the best selling fragrances. Of those best sellers, they more than likely have been popular for decades, and not just a few passing years.

With that in mind, I wanted to create a list of the best Calvin Klein colognes for men, and the list ended up being 8 fragrances deep. Also check out: The Best Calvin Klein Perfumes for Women

What are the Best CK Colognes for Men?

Best Overall CK Scent

Calvin Klein Obsession For Men Cologne, .5 fl oz
A great casual cologne which dates back to the late 1980s. Obsession has a lovely spice to it and features notes of mandarin, sandalwood, and amber. It’s got a great cinnamon led warmth and spice, that is supported by the nutmeg.

The amber creates a sort of an envelopment around the person wearing it and this is one of the reasons, that Obsession is so good during the winter time.

This is such a rich and enticing scent, good for everyday wear, but can also pull double duty as a date night go to. There is sweet vanilla and nutmeg, which help to round out the fragrance, and create a memorable wear.

Spicy and warm, yes, but also a smoky balsamic element that peaks through at times. The classic formulation of this was amazing, but it is still holding up well today.

Obsession has a good sillage and the longevity is decent, as well. This is a fragrance that can be worn in a variety of situations and has enough maturity for guys 30+.    My Obsession review

obsession

Classic 90s Clean

Calvin Klein ETERNITY for Men Eau de Toilette, 3.4 fl. oz.
Another oldie but one which has been popular since its inception. Eternity for men is classy and simple in its aroma. It features notes of lavender, vetiver, and sandalwood that give off a super clean and fresh ‘soapy’ feeling.

The citrus notes add some depth and a change of pace from the lavender laden parts of this cologne’s life cycle. This is a calming masculine fragrance, that enjoys a mass appeal.

Eternity is quite herbal and floral with supporting notes such as basil and sage. It’s not a heavy spice by any means, but that light herbal kick, gives this fragrance a lively profile.

It is fresh and bright, built for the warmer months of the year, as it is such an upbeat cologne. The longevity is moderate, as is the sillage, but Eternity is a nice addition for daily wear. Eternity Cologne Review

eternity

Top Fresh Fragrance

Calvin Klein euphoria for Men Eau de Toilette, 1.7 fl. oz.
A take on the popular Euphoria for women, this men’s cologne starts off with a blast of pepper and ginger. So, expect some spice to it from the start. But ginger, isn’t too bad, and it is the main attraction.

However, it isn’t a heavy scent and the spice isn’t that overbearing, as it is mellowed out some by the amber and cedar wood notes. It’s a warm herbal/pepper spice with masculine woods serving as the base.

Euphoria for Men is a very linear and none to complicated fragrance. It’s got an attractive airy aroma, that isn’t a sillage beast, but is safe to wear at work or in close casual situations. It never struck me as wholly unique, but Euphoria is a very solid player in the everyday wear space.  My Review

Best Summertime CK Cologne

Eternity Now– This is replacing, Crave, on the list. That one has been discontinued and is getting harder to find. Eternity Now shares some of the same notes, but with its own summertime style.

The starfruit and coconut opening act, is among my favorites for any cologne, from any designer. I absolutely love it. I wore this a lot over the past 6 months or so, even during winter. Now, in the warmer months, I will still come back to my bottle.

The rest of the wear is still good, but that opening hour, is really where the magic lies. The good news, is that , Eternity Now is still available for cheap. Expect a sweet tropical cologne, with refreshing fruity notes. Eternity Now Full Review

Best Aquatic Cologne

Eternity Aqua– I’m going to replace the now defunct Euphoria Intense, with Eternity Aqua. If you can still find Euphoria Intense, its’ worth a try.

Eternity Aqua, on the other hand, is another great option for summer. If you like the Polo Blue line, this one should be right up your alley. It was a staple wear of my summer 2019.

Aqua is crisp and watery, with an opening blast of citrus and spiciness provided by Sichuan pepper. Not a heavy warm spice, but a colder and refreshing scent with undertones of tart plum and woods.

I’ve seen bottles for really cheap and it’s an absolute buy, at a certain price. I wouldn’t go full retail, but you shouldn’t have to, either. Eternity Aqua Review

Best Selling Calvin Klein Scent

Calvin Klein ck one Eau de Toilette, 6.7 fl. oz.
CK One is a part of the unisex fragrances that Calvin Klein has released and the most popular of them all.

Notes of papaya, pineapple, and jasmine give it a intriguing sweetness while the green tea and amber add warm layers to its simple base.

A landmark fragrance for the 1990s and it will probably be a best seller for decades to come. Sharp citrus and memorable dry down that has an unbelievable universal appeal.

I think most of us still know this fragrance. Maybe the younger generation has yet to experience it? Not sure, as I still encounter it from time to time.  My Review of CK One  and CK One vs CK Be Comparison

ck one

Most Unique CK Fragrance

Euphoria Amber Gold– Amber, herbal, and woody. Euphoria Amber Gold takes the Euphoria name in a different and strikingly good direction. This one flew under my radar for quite a while and it didn’t seem to get much push from CK.

Resinous and bold with sweet vanilla and honey touches. Amber Gold gives you periods where you get to fully experience the thyme or sage, before they fall back into the well-blended mix.

Mostly, you’ll experience amber, spice, and a nice honey sweetness. Though, that vetiver and woods can peak up.

The performance is markedly better than many other Calvin Klein fragrances and it has a bold sillage. Euphoria Amber Gold isn’t available everywhere, but bottles exist online and it can be a great pickup for the right guy.

Everyone 

CK Everyone EDT– While I don’t think Everyone is an absolutely amazing fragrance, this newer release from Calvin Klein is actually better than it gets credit for. Now, I haven’t tried the newer EDP version as of this update, but the EDT surprised me.

I put this one on the list before the CK One Summer Daze release, which was a limited edition anyway. But, I think this might be better in any case.

Everyone opens up with an orange and aquatic topped that is gently spiced with a fresh ginger note. Very chill, clean, and one that can be applied on a daily basis without screaming out for attention.

I do like the tea note, in the mix, which along with the light amber gives it a warmer feeling. The opening feels more refreshing and ‘cold’ to me. Like a simpler, sort of sporty update to the same CK One style, of the 1990s. But, a different scent.