Obsessed for Women by Calvin Klein

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I’ve already reviewed Obsessed for Men, on this site, which was a pretty good fragrance. So, when I got a sample of Obsessed for Women, I was intrigued to see what direction Calvin Klein was going to take this in.

This is actually a new release for 2017 and shares a similar name with the classic Obsession, though, their doesn’t appear to be any actual similarities between them.

In this post, I’m going to go over how it smells, performs, what the notes are, and whether or not it is worth a further look.

What does Obsessed for Women Smell Like?

Notes include: musk, sage, lavender, citrus, neroli, violet leaf

Click here to try: Calvin Klein Obsessed for Women Eau De Parfum, 1 fl. oz.

My Full Review

The packaging that the sample vial of Obsessed for Women came in, says that it is ‘a female interpretation of an oriental fougere’.  With that, I wasn’t expecting something that was hyper feminine or sweet, and after use this does feel more like an unisex perfume.

The opening is floral, herbal, and musky. The lavender has that familiar scent and reminds me of the lavender Epsom bath salt that I use for sore muscles.

The citrus notes are noticeable at the start, as well, and give it kind of an aquatic aroma. It really does bring back memories of two of Calvin Klein’s 90s unisex fragrances, CK One and CK Be, but retains something different from each of those scents.

I think the warm musky spice and the sage, set it apart, and there is this underlying body wash/soapy quality to Obsessed.

Obsessed is fresh throughout its lifespan and the floral notes provided by the neroli and violet leaf begin to come into play about 20-30 minutes after application. That is when it begins to shift more towards the feminine side of the spectrum, after the quite ambiguous start.

However, it stays mostly in that floral/soft/spice/fresh water aquatic, mode throughout.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s a lighter scent, and definitely didn’t seem overpowering to me. I also sprayed it three times on a shirt and parked it about 4 feet away and didn’t really detect it.

So, it’s not going to be a massive radius and no long scent trail in your wake, unless you really spray the heck out of it.

Obsessed is a perfume that performs somewhat well, but you have to get closer. Longevity, again, was decent. Maybe 6+ hours, depending on the environment.

It feels more appropriate as a spring/summer scent but I think that it could perform well in any season really. While it does enjoy seasonal versatility, I’d classify it as casual.

It’s a pleasant perfume, but I don’t find it sexy or anything of that nature. A good low-key scent for work or school or some other casual function.

Overall Impressions of Obsessed for Women

Overall, is Obsessed worth a purchase? I don’t have anything bad to say about it. It serves its purpose as a fresh scent that is a nice change from the usual fruity or hyper-sweet perfumes.

So, if you’re in the market for that thing and are a fan of lavender, musk, and sage; then this one might be a good fit as a daily wear.

It’s very much a Calvin Klein fragrance, without even looking at the bottle, you can sort of just tell. Better than average, the usual notes, and not a big performer.

I don’t find it to be some incredible scent that is a must have, but it is nice, low key, and veers more to the unisex than girly.

Tuscan Leather vs Tobacco Oud Comparison

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For this post, I wanted to do another comparison between two Tom Ford scents: Tuscan Leather vs. Tobacco Oud. Which of these two popular Private Blend fragrances smells the best? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy? I have worn and reviewed both, and will now, break down each by category before declaring an ultimate winner.

Tale of the Tape

Tobacco Oud

Notes include: tobacco, oud, amber, whiskey, vanilla, cinnamon, benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood, coriander, cedar, incense

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Oud Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.4oz

Read my original review: Tobacco Oud Review

Tuscan Leather

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My original Review: Tuscan Leather

Opening

Tobacco Oud actually starts out with a burst of the oud and whiskey. The tobacco is there, but it doesn’t become as prominent, until later on in the wear. Instead, you get a boozy oud aroma. It is kind of rough and smoky, but with coriander, patchouli, and incense underneath the two top notes.

Tuscan Leather starts off with that leather note, which is fantastic, along with saffron. I love this combination. Beyond that is a suede note, which helps to further smooth things out, and some juicy raspberry.

Which is better? To me, the start isn’t really a contest. I think that Tuscan Leather is much better in the beginning, as the open is probably the worst part of Tobacco Oud. I like whiskey, but not as much, when paired with a strong oud note.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Projection

Both are pretty strong with the sillage, at the start, and then move into something that is more moderate. To me, there really isn’t a distinction between them. Tobacco Oud is heavier, but doesn’t out project.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Tobacco Oud will go for 10+ hours on my skin. Tuscan, will get me 8-9 hours. Pretty straightforward win here for Tobacco Oud. Though, Tuscan Leather is no slouch.

Edge: Tobacco Oud

Versatility

Both of these fragrance work best in the colder parts of the year. I’d say Tuscan can hold up better in warmer weather, but not hot. I’d much rather wear Tuscan as a casual fragrance or a date night cologne, versus Tobacco Oud. Both can however, fit in during more formal occasions.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Overall Scent

Tobacco Oud is a nice fragrance, that gets better, as it dries down. It becomes woodier, with more sweetness, and a mix of smoky tobacco. The opening is kind of off putting, but in terms of performance and overall quality, it is a very good option for oud lovers.

However, I much prefer Tuscan Leather to it. The leather note is one of the best that I’ve ever come across and when paired with suede…it’s super smooth. It’s a darkly deep fragrance with great amber warmth, saffron, and even raspberry. When it all comes together, it is a great experience to wear.

Between the two, I would think that most people would rather wear Tuscan Leather, as it has a more mass appealing smell and one that can even be worn by women.

Winner: Tuscan Leather

Joop! vs. Cool Water

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For this edition of the head to head men’s fragrance match ups, we are going to be breaking down and comparing, two of the most popular colognes from the 1980s: Cool Water vs. Joop! Homme. Which of these classic scents, smells the best? I am going to be comparing each, in a number of categories, before declaring an ultimate winner. I have linked my original review of each scent below, for further details on these colognes.

Tale of the Tape: Cool Water vs. Joop!

Cool Water

Notes include: lavender, mint, tobacco, amber, musk, jasmine, sandalwood, neroli, coriander, rosemary, and more

Click here to try: Davidoff Cool Water Edt Spray for Men, 6.7 oz

Read my Review: Cool Water

Joop! Homme

Notes include: orange blossom, vanilla, cinnamon, mandarin, amber, cedar, jasmine, bergamot, lily, heliotrope, tonka bean, patchouli, and sandalwood

Click here to try:  Joop Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Joop!

Opening

Cool Water obviously starts off with its aquatic accord front and center. However, the top is also composed of prominent mint and tobacco notes. It all comes together as green with a spicy freshness, that is later joined by floral notes, to create a soapy sort of effect.

Joop on the other hand, opens up spicy with patchouli and cinnamon, creating a bold tandem at the top. These notes are joined by an enveloping and warm amber with some light citrus coming through. It has a mix of spicy and syrupy honeyed sweetness, with floral undertones.

I like how Cool Water starts initially, with a very clean and green freshness. However, I do prefer that initial punch from Joop!, that just hits and dominates. Yes, it’s spicy, but there is a lot else to enjoy in there.

Edge: Joop!

Projection

Joop! is still a sillage monster. Perhaps, the modern version doesn’t have the same peak as the vintage bottles, but it still has a lot of power. Cool Water is probably in the same boat as to reformulations, but it never had that same projecting power, as Joop did. It’s more of a moderate fragrance, not weak, but doesn’t touch its competitor.

Edge: Joop!

Longevity

Cool Water will get me 6-7 hours on my skin. Joop is good for 7-9 hours of wear for me, depending on the climate and other factors. However, it still consistently equals or outperforms the Davidoff scent.

Edge: Joop! 

Versatility

This is the category where Cool Water has an advantage. It is great in the warmer months of the year, but can go year round.

Meanwhile, Joop is pretty much a cold weather scent. It doesn’t do well in the heat. Joop is better for nightlife, but Cool Water can fit in many situations, as it is much more moderate and less in your face than Joop can be.

Edge: Cool Water

 

 

Overall Scent

So, when it comes down to it, which one of these men’s fragrances is better? I like either one of these scents and both definitely have their positives.

Cool Water is a classic and a solid choice for everyday wear. It blend of green and aquatic notes at the top is great, before it moves into a classic soapy clean. The performance is still quite good, even if it doesn’t reach the levels of Joop Homme. 30 years after its release, the fragrance still sells a ton of bottles, and might be the better choice for most guys.

However, I think Joop! smells better, and is the more interesting fragrance. The spicy beginning is bold, when paired with that honey-like sweetness, it is a real attention grabber.

Then, the dry down comes along with the floral notes and the vanilla/sandalwood blend. This was always a fun cologne to wear, even if it was sometimes limited in its uses.

The versatility of Cool Water might be a selling point in a lot of cases, but if I have to go with one of these, I am wearing Joop! Homme most of the time. It’s the winner, in this match up.

Winner: Joop!

Rochas Man by Rochas

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Rochas Man cologne for men has been around for well over 15 years now and during this time has served countless men well in the pursuit of the opposite sex. Simply put, Rochas Man is well-loved by the ladies.

The really good news for guys is that they can get a hold of this seductive scent for under $30 and start grabbing attention upon first wear. In this post, I want to take a closer look a Rochas Man and give my opinion on this fragrance.

Update: I am adding further thoughts to this one in 2019, to expand upon this review, and share my more recent experiences with this Rochas fragrance.

What does Rochas Man Smell Like?

Notes include: coffee and lavender, with low notes of amber and sandalwood.

Try Rochas Man from Amazon:  Rochas Man Eau de Toilette, Woody Gourmand, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

The first things one notices about Rochas is that it is a rather sweet fragrance, with hints of cocoa and vanilla. This doesn’t mean that it is a feminine scent by any means but one that has a seductive charm to it.

Rochas Man is titled that for a reason, it is a masculine fragrance but with a mysterious undercurrent that I think is the key to drawing women closer and closer.

Rochas Man opens with that coffee/cappuccino note, some fruity hints of raspberry, and a calming lavender.

Additionally, there is the familiar smell of vanilla, which comes in and grows stronger as the wear moves on. It feels warm, with only a light amber note, giving Rochas that enveloping feeling.

As it settles down, this one does become drier, to my nose. There’s a light woody base to this fragrance and only adds to the smoothness, as the lavender and vanilla notes, pull it through.

It’s got a great blend of powder and creamy vanilla lurking throughout. Ultimately, I get: coffee, lavender, vanilla, and a bit of amber.

One major selling point of this cologne is its pricing point. It is available for significantly less than most other men’s colognes but delivers as much value as most of the expensive designer brands as well.

Rochas Man is versatile enough to be worn every day at places such as work or school but can also be applied at night for evenings spent out with friends or especially on a date.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Rochas is quite good, but not too heavy. It will project itself a decent distance from the wearer, but it doesn’t choke out a room, unless you go crazy with the sprays.

It is a warm gourmand fragrance, that sort of creates an enveloping cloud around you, but not overpowering.

The longevity is also solid and seems to fall into that 6-8 hour range of wear. Not a beast, but still very useful for most occasions.

I like Rochas as a fragrance mainly in the winter and fall months, as I feel that the sweetness projects well in the colder air around this time. Also, it has that projection of warmth and confidence which contrasts well with the harsh winter landscape.

This one is light enough to be a daily wear to school or even the office. However, it can definitely pull double duty and be a nighttime wear for the coldest months. A lot of women, find this one attractive, and will draw closer when you have it on.

It’s ‘sexy’ to some extent, but just a really pleasant fragrance, that is highly enjoyable to smell.

Overall Impressions of Rochas Man

If you’re looking for an inexpensive scent with just the right amount of sweetness and spice, have a look at Rochas Man, because it’s a winner. For about 20 years now, it’s been a great option for guys who want a sweet, and well-blended cologne.

This one is attractive, performs well enough, and can usually be found at a great price point. Yes, it is more limited to the times when its cold outside, but it’s actually pretty amazing and well worth having despite its limitations.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs

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I thought that it was time to give Daisy by Marc Jacobs a proper review and so with the last batch of samples that I ordered, I got a vial of this fragrance sent to me as well. It has been a very popular perfume for women for probably over a decade at this point and is always among the best sellers.

In this post, I am going to cover how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think it is worthy of a purchase.

What does Daisy by Marc Jacobs Smell Like?

daisy marc jacobs perfume

Notes include: grapefruit, gardenia, jasmine, violet, musk, and vanilla

Click here to try: Marc Jacobs Daisy, EDT Spray, 3.4oz 100ml

My Full Review

The opening of Daisy gives me the same kind of watery floral aroma, that Alien Aqua Chic did when I reviewed it. The floral notes are different, but there is a similar effect, and I think that Daisy happens to do it better.

Daisy is heavily weighted towards violet and there is also some interplay between the jasmine and gardenia notes. However, the latter two seem to be background players to the main attraction of violet.

Up top, there is the grapefruit note and a light strawberry, as well. To my nose, the strawberry note, doesn’t come through particularly hard. Again, Daisy comes across a watery and the fruit notes, are lightly added, to the overall composition.

The grapefruit note gives Daisy a bit more energy, and there is also definitely a musky warmth, to this perfume. This whole scent strikes me as very light and slightly aquatic, like if the flowers were sitting in a vase full of water. As it wears on, Daisy takes on more of a powdery scent but that never completely takes over the composition but it does feel noticeable about an hour or so in.

Finally, what I am left with is: plenty of violet, some grapefruit, gardenia, and musky undertones. Yes, all still swimming in that vaguely aquatic aroma. This isn’t all that complex of a perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, Daisy is light, but it isn’t weak. It isn’t a beast that is going to envelop you (unless you spray like crazy) but it is quite noticeable.

Longevity is pretty darn good but not spectacular, I’d say it can hit 7 hours on a regular basis, depending on the conditions it’s worn in.

This Marc Jacobs fragrance is best worn casually, for a day at the office or running around town. I wouldn’t call it a date night perfume or really sexy at all. It’s something that is light and fresh and inoffensive.

I’d also say it’s probably best worn in the springtime as that’s where the notes seem most at home but you could also where it in the other months of the year and be perfectly fine.

Overall Impressions of Daisy

Overall, is Daisy worth a buy? Yes, provided that you like floral scents. It’s a really good casual/everyday wear perfume that seems to enjoy a pretty universal popularity. If you want something that is a little more bold or sexy, then you should probably look elsewhere.

Daisy does what it does very well, and if you’re in the market for something along those lines, it’s a winner. The violet note here is very nice and the gardenia peaking through the background is also quite pleasant.

To me, this Marc Jacobs perfume isn’t amazing, but is a solid choice for a daily wear floral fragrance.