1985's Obsession, from Calvin Klein, was meant to capture the "essence of the 1980's obsession with carnal and material gratification"; Secret Obsession, the brand's latest feminine fragrance, hopes to update that notion for modern times, to "become the meaning of what is sexy today — more personal, sophisticated and intoxicating".* If Secret Obsession fails in that mission it won't be the fault of Eva Mendes, who gamely writhes and moans in (presumably) perfumed ecstasy, and shows just enough nipple to get the advertising spot banned from television, thus ensuring that a bajillion people will watch it on YouTube at no expense whatsoever to Coty.
Like the original Obsession, Secret Obsession is a floriental, but the two scents are not meant to be related in any way other than the name, and in the event, they don't share anything much other than an amber-y base and an overtly sensuous character. Secret Obsession has a sweet, fruity opening that smells entirely of today; still, don't go looking for the sparkling and sheer pinkish berries that decorate so many of the fruity florals of the past five years. These fruits are spicy and overripe. It's not quite Rochas Femme or Frederic Malle Le Parfum de Thérèse, mind you, but it smells more grown-up than I expected.
The dry down is a sweet floral (the notes: exotic plum, mace, rose de damas, jasmine, orange flower, tuberose, cashmere woods, burnt amber, vanilla and sandalwood). The rose is center-stage very briefly in the early dry down, after that, it's more of a hothouse, tuberose-ish floral, but it lacks the richness and depth of Obsession's floral heart — it's a bit loud, but has a more modern, stylised feel. While I don't find it unpleasant, I've seen more than one remark comparing it to hairspray.
What hairspray there is largely disappears within an hour; then Secret Obsession is a (relatively) quiet amber-y musky woods, medium-dark, spiced and honeyed but not overly sweet (although the fruit notes, which get buried under the flowers for a time, seem to reappear in the final stages). It's sultry without the bitter edges that render Obsession an unlikely sell in today's youth-oriented market. It isn't a shy scent, but it isn't quite so overwhelming as Obsession, and it's considerably more subtle (and arguably, sexier) than Calvin Klein's last stab at this market, Euphoria.
Secret Obsession is nicely done, and it's always agreeable to smell something that's supposed to be sexy and is — so many "sexy" fragrances turn out to smell like candy (see Jessica Simpson Fancy) or laundry detergent musk (see Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming). Still, I've been wearing Secret Obsession along with the original Obsession for a week, off and on, and it hasn't really captured my affections; the far dry down is lovely, rather like a tarted-up version of Estee Lauder's Sensuous, but the overripe fruits and the hothouse florals in the earlier stages have been done better elsewhere. Instead, I've become more impressed with Obsession than I had been. I had the idea that layering the two might be perfect, but I can't recommend that anyone try that at home: the resulting brew is perfect after a couple of hours, but up until then it can only be described as nasty, and it's potent enough to kill passersby at 20 paces.
Calvin Klein Secret Obsession was developed by perfumer Calice Becker, and is available in 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum and in matching body products.
* First quote via scentdirect, second quote via wwd.
As I mentioned in my comment for an article of Obsession from 1980, my friend loves this stuff. I will be showing her both of the articles, she loves her obsession very much. As I said earlier Obsession, either one, is not for me – but I ejoyed reading about them both, thanx Robin!
She loves the new one too, or just the old? Very curious how long-time Obsession fans will react to the new version.
I've enjoyed your posts over the last two days. I admit (embarrassed) I have no idea what Obsession smells like! I will definitely fix that the next time I am at the mall.
I have been looking forward to smelling this since I first heard about it. It sounds like it's pretty good jus, no? I wanted to love Sensous but found it a tad too woody and peppery. It smells amazing on my mom though. There are two things not going for this one; Eva,(Yuck!) she's beautiful, don't get me wrong but I find her a bit on the rough side, trashy even, but maybe that's what old Calvin had in mind?! And I think the bottle is hideous. Does it look any better in person? If I end up buying it I would decant it into something else pronto!! Regardless, I will be smelling it this weekend. Sounds like it would be just the thing when the weather finally turns here in Florida…. come January!!!!! 🙁
Kayliana,
It isn't my thing, really — I'll take Sensuous over it any day — but I think it's exactly what it's meant to be, if you know what I mean. And yes, would say that on the trashy side is exactly right. That's not always a bad thing, of course.
I do think it is far better on skin than on paper. At least, I pretty much hated it on paper.
I have not seen the bottle in person at all — I have a decant.
March, thanks. I'm surprised you don't remember Obsession from “the street”!
I can't wait to smell this, as I will probably like it (at least a lot more than the original).
And of course, I LOVE the bottle.
If this ends up being successful, I hope they roll one out for men too.
Robin –
I realize that this whole masculine/feminine thing with fragrance is “in the eye of the beholder”, but what is your take on the “masculinity” of S.O.? I'm really comfortable wearing Sensuous (wore it today, actually…) and wonder if I might get away with S.O. too…..
oh….and thanks for the carnation info….I'll be up to my ears in samples soon.
Marko
Hey — I hope they roll out a male version of that commercial, LOL…
Hmmm. This is more overtly feminine to me than Sensuous — Sensuous is really only “feminine” because it's sweet. This has much louder florals, and the spicy fruit notes are probably more conventionally feminine too. But at least half the time I comment on the gender issue, I turn out to be wrong, so hope someone will chime in here if I'm wrong again!
And do let me know which (if any) of those carnations work out!
This one actually smells okay. Briefly contemplated buying a bottle, but then remembered that I have a gazillion other perfumes at home.
Oh Robin you truly have a gift for writing! I almost burst out laughing while reading this in class.
Did they manage to get product placement for this, I wonder, in the new version of “The Women” that's coming out with Mendes as the evil perfume counter girl? (Looks like Nars has a tie-in with some cosmetics, but that's all I could find in a very perfunctory search.)
Like I said in my own review of it a couple of days ago, it's not especially “sexy” in the common perception of these days (which is a good thing!) nor is it too sweet (another good thing!).
I found that the mace was most pronounced on my skin, an interesting twist; the florals took a backseat for sure (but their manipulation is taking cues from Songes and Fragile ~a modern interpretation, rather than classical). It's not bad… then again it's not groundbreaking either.
(And LOL on Coty not spending money when people watch the video for free!)
It does consolidate what I had predicted while reviewing (and rather panning, I'm afraid, but they deserved it for all the lies behind their teeth) Magnifique by Lancome : that “woods are the new patchouli ” in mainstream perfumery! 😉
The bottle looks a bit like ET's face in the photos, doesn't it?
I wore the original Obsession back in the day but overdid it and can't go near it now. Still I loved it at the time. It was therefore with some trepidation that I tried Secret Obsession but (I think to my relief) I didn't find much, if any, overt relationship betwen the two. I really like the plum note in this one and might shell out for body lotion if such a thing is done. Thanks for the review!
I will be interested to try this, if I pass a CK counter, but wouldn't go out of my way to sample it.
I do think the pornographic advertising is a little depressing, though. I'm no prude, and yes, Eva Mendes is gorgeous, but this kind of thing is belittling and degrading to women and would not incline me to be well-disposed to the product or the label. Even the naked and alarmingly youthful Kate Moss in the original Obssession ad looks to have been more tasteful.
LOL at “then remembered that I have a gazillion other perfumes at home” — yeah, then there's that.
Thanks, that's very kind.
Hey, good question — can't wait to see what bottles they display in that perfume department!!
Interesting, I found it quite overtly sexy. Would entirely agree w/ “not groundbreaking” though.
A body lotion would be nice — might skip over the parts I don't like!
Perfume advertising that is “uplifting” to women is so rare that I hardly blink an eye at anything they come up with. This one actually didn't bother me — at least, looking at the still images, I find it less upsetting than the Moss ad, since as you say, Moss looks alarmingly young — and unhealthy to boot.
OMG!! I see E.T.'s face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's crazy!!
I read elsewhere that it looked like 2 breasts and now that's all I can see. It's funny how these things get stuck in your mind.
This fragrance was also created by another perfumer/artist, Caroline Sabas.
Please note.
Thanks!
The bottle looks better than the Obsession bottle, the fragrance smells worse. Watered down and uninteresting.
Still better than most new fragrances, that I agree.
I saw the comment about the breasts also (I think it was a YouTube comment) and yeah… once you see it, there's no turning it back into “E.T.”
I'll see if I can check the Michael Edwards database. Osmoz attributes it to Becker.
Really, watered down?? I'm surprised, I didn't find it light at all. Not groundbreaking in either case.
Yep! And I'd rather see ET.
Got a chance to smell this for the first time today. Definitely not watered down. Reminded me a little of Donna Karan's Gold.
Interesting, wouldn't have thought of them together — will have to try them at the same time!
I liked this one. I confused myself today, as I was going to buy a bottle of Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, and the sales associate showed my the Secret Obsession. I sprayed the Jasmin Noir on one arm (this is my fifth or sixth time trying this one) and Secret Obsession on the other. And I went home to think about them.
While I like the Secret Obsession, I love the Jasmin Noir.
I was impressed none the less.
I'm jealous, I can hardly smell the Bvlgari. Sounds like a bottle is in your future 🙂
There's a bit of happiness in smelling Secret Obsession for me. To me, I'm smelling an affirmation of the reawakening of a style of fragrance that incorporates the smell of sophistication and a pared down version of bold, sexy scents of the 80's. This smells like a quiet version of David Yurman's creation, only lighter to accomodate a chunk of the younger crowd. I find the tuberose a bit indolic when it emerges, but it's all part of its sultry beauty without creating an overwheling presence. Overall, I think it deserves a louder personality, but even then it won't possess the bold unapologetic presence of the original that has left its own unique mark in history.
Which leads me to think…has the mainstream perfume industry been forced to create more scents of irony? Scents that lack presence and possess little personality? Why bother creating anything if it doesn't create a distinct trail?
I don't understand it. People will dress in anything these days but refuse to stink so good. They've come out with Secret Obsession. Hopefully this means the consumer will demand bolder, unique perfumes.
“People will dress in anything these days but refuse to stink so good” — a very interesting observation, never thought of it that way but it's entirely true. I suppose the other way of looking at it is that you no longer need your perfume to make the association with sexy, do you? You can do it by wearing overly sexy clothing.
Smelled this on paper the other day (used to wear Obsession in the '80s) and expected to loathe this as I can't bear Obsession anymore. It was surprisingly lovely. I didn't “skin test” it because I was wearing a Montale and well, that would just be rude to dear Pierre. But I plan on returning sans Montale to try it out. It is nothing at all like the original Obsession and I highly recommend trying it. Agree with previous reviewer that it was refreshing to try an unabashedly sexy fragrance. Soooooo tired of caramels and cucmbers!!!
This is not bad! Better than the notoriously un-notorious-like Notorius, another sexy-woods American launch. To my nose, it's almost like a junior Feminite du Bois without the cedar; it's got similar plum-orange blossom-spice-wood notes to it. Loving FdB as much as I do — and finding it hard to find these days — it's nice to know there's something out there that's in the ballpark.
I don't find the ad objectionable, but neither do I find it especially inspirational.
Robin, if you're listening: we've been talking a bit here and there about Japon Noir, which has gotten under my skin in a dangerous way. Can you think of anything similar that's not so spendy? I'm thinking Kyoto and Ouarzazate, but you're exposed to so much more than I am in terms of niche scents, so no doubt have a few superior ideas. . .Thanks!
Hollyc, I'm cracking up at “rude to dear Pierre”! Hope you'll like it on skin when you get the chance to try it.
A “junior Feminite du Bois” is a good description.
On Japon Noir, gosh, can't think of anything offhand (and it doesn't remind me of either of those CdGs). I mean, I can think of other spicy ambery leathery things, but nothing close enough to scratch that same itch, and certainly nothing like but cheaper. So much for my superior ideas, LOL…
Darn! I was afraid of that.
LOL at “nothing close enough to scatch that same itch.”
Must look behind sofa cushions in search of lost quarters to start saving up. . .Looking forward to your review — hint, hint — of the whole Tom Ford Private Blend line. It's interesting, methinks. . .I'm diggin' Black Violet, and I can see why Tobacco Vanille and Noir de Noir are getting some buzz. . .Velvet Gardenia is hyper-buttery, over-the-top rich. . .So spendy, these ones, but very concentrated, and, as you mentioned vis-a-vis Japon Noir, they seen to scratch a very exclusive itch.
R, whew, don't go looking for reviews of all of them! I can hardly keep up with the new stuff. And, I really do like some of them but not sure I adore them as much as some people do. Do think he's filling a gap though — by & large these are rich, deep scents, in a very different vein than many other niche lines are doing right now.
Awwwwww!! (Tries to hide disappointment.)
Just teasing, R. I do understand. As it is, I don't know how you do manage to keep up. I guess that the Tom Fords are just new to me, but in fact they've been around for awhile, so they're really not a fresh story to tackle anway. I was just being selfish; I really respect your opinions on stuff, and they sway me in the best possible way whenever I'm contemplating parting with a significant wad of moolah.
Funny. The Tom Fords are positioned on their own little free-standing pedestal at Holt Renfrew, directly beside the Jo Malones. Talk about contrast. In fact, when I asked where the TFs were (not having my glasses on and therefore not being able to see beyond an arm's length) the JM woman pointed to them with a little shudder. “They're VERY strong,” she grimaced.
LOL — that's too funny — the VERY strong part.
And do bear in mind that I haven't even smelled all of the TFs yet. I really *don't* manage to keep up!
I wiped a perfumed strip from a magazine across my wrist and I thought it smelled like smoke. Not “smoky”, just smoke, like from a fireplace, burning logs. it was….. oddly sensual.
I don't know what it is with the Bvlgari scents, and I mean almost all of them that I have tried in Neimans, butafter owning Elixir de Merveilles and spraying myself with other Hermes scents, like
24 Faubourg, and knowing what complex scents do over time on my wrist, I just find the Bvlgari's ….. forgive me, but “common”. Almost like a book, where the title is exactly what the book is about, nothing more intricate. they just don't work for me. Even though the packaging is pretty elegant, esp the squat bottles like the Vert Extreme.
Interesting…I don't get much smoke from the liquid form, but maybe you will!
hahaha this is the funniest thread ever!! I was in fits of laughter already from “Eva Mendes… gamely writhes and moans in (presumably) perfumed ecstasy” ROFL
and then likening the bottle to ET's face that is THE funniest ha hahaha!
Anyway, I came to this review to add that I just smelled Secret Obsession yesterday – having heard nothing about what it was supposed to smell like I was pleasantly surprised to find it's a floral! I really liked the tuberose/sherbet/jasmin/gardenia/magnolia bouquet, although it's not quite creamy/floral/heady enough for me (i prefer estee lauder tuberose gardenia, for example – this one's a bit Fracas like I thought) so I wouldn't buy it but I thought it was quite lovely!
Althought the writhing and moaning and nudity is just OH so DONE, I much prefer it over that horrendous Tom Ford advertising ughgh!
Glad to provide a laugh, and glad you were happily surprised by the SO, even if not enough to buy. I like the EL better too.
Such a good thread! My first thought in seeing the bottle was that it looked like an upside-down bladder. Kinda ruined the juice for me.
LOL — that kinda ruins it for me too 😉
I agree. I always want to like Bvlgari scents. But i always feel there's something missing. I did really enjoy Bvlgari Blu Notte for a little while….until I read that someone said it smelled like a diaper. Buzzkill. Couldn't wear it again. LOL
I've had a helluva time trying to find a winter scent that I actually like after more than one wearing. I have a love/hate relationship with orientals. Most that I try just end up being too cloying. I tried Secret Obsessioin and fell in like with it, so I purchased it. I enjoy the florientals. I think it's a nice balance….opens dark and sweet and finishes a bit fresh and ambery.
However – this has to have the worst sillage EVER. I even up'd my squirts the other day to test it. Two sprays on each side of my neck….and two on each wrist. That's 8 squirts. At the end of my work day, I couldn't smell anything……not even a trace on my sweater. What perfume doesn't stick to a sweater??
Just curious what anyone else's experience has been if they've purchased this one. Wanting to see if I'm crazy or perhaps getting a cold.
I for one love this new addition to the Obsession line. It's a unique addition that takes the base of the original and “spices it up” literally. I love that this perfume is distinct and stands out on its own. It's fun and sexy and become a fast favorite of mine.
Jenny
Gosh, I find 1 spray pretty potent. I think maybe you're getting olfactory fatigue — perhaps you need to ask someone else if they can still smell it at the end of the day.
Glad you like it 🙂
I really loved original Obsession. Today, although I have a full new bottle, I don't use it so often, it seems more synthetic to me than 10 years ago. I wonder is it me (did I spoilt my nose with organic Ambre Sultan) , or they altered the original juice?
Secret Obsession was a disappointment . First, it starts too sweet, and like someone else said, after a while it seems watered down. Because of a strong plum note it immediately reminded me of : (Feminite du Bois – cedar part + lot more sugar) and all that together watered down too much. Like some very cheap far East fake of Feminite. Maybe on someone elses skin it smells better than that. Bottle is beautiful, though.
They've almost certainly reformulated the original by now, yes, but yes, you've probably also spoilt your nose w/ Ambre Sultan 🙂
I think you're definitely right! I took a break from it for a couple days. Sprayed a couple squirts on some fabric and smelled it the next morning…..lasting power was fine.
My poor cube-mates…I must've tortured them last week. LOL
Oh good. I think this is one of the many reasons why it might be best to alternate fragrances…most overuse is probably due to the same olfactory fatigue you experienced!
Hi Robin,
I have a tendency to buy UNSMELLED perfume based on the reviews I read. Just had my birthday and had this on my wishlist. Got it – and don't like it. To my simple nose it smells – eh – perfumish, VERY mature and nothing I would imagine Eva Mendes would smell like (or like to wear).
The original Obsession smells nice, but it's too heavy for my taste. I wanted a special scent, as Obsession is, and when reading that Secret Obsession was more subtle I gave it a go.
I'm sorry i did, and I'm trying hard as I can to get rid of it!
Does anyone have any suggestions for what I MIGHT like??
As I have a 3-year old I don't wear much perfume, but when I do I tend to use; Laura Biagottis Laura, Flowerbomb (but it makes me a little… sick perhaps?), Kenzo Amour, Armani Diamonds (thought WOW when I first sniffed it, but now I find it quite boring), Guess Gold (also thought WOW in sniffing it in the store, but used it two or three times). I'm a Vanilla-girl, and I even like the vanilla-scent from The Body Shop. Used it for years, but as I'm now 35 it feels a little too young for me (and too sweet). I absolutely LOVE Calyx – but it tickles my nose and makes me sneeze.
Miss the 80's. Everybody wore Diors Poison, and in the 90's we wore Jean Paul Gaultier. Everything was so easy then :-/
I WANNA HAVE A SIGNATURE SMELL, but can't seem to find any I absolutely like :-/
Thought about buying Burberry Weekend, but I'm afraid it will smell a little too citrus(?)
Can anyone help? Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Mira
Mira, why don't you take a look at the Monday Mail articles, sounds like you're a good candidate:
https://nstperfume.com/blog/_WebPages/GeneralPerfumeArticles.html#MM
If you're interested, email me (nowsmellthis at comcast dot net) and we can get you on the calendar for January.
hi robin! seeing as how u reviewed this fragrance, i have a question for u. i recently bought this for my sister for her bday and she really likes it but she feels that a guy could easily wear it. i told her she was crazy and that its definately just a womens fragrance. is she crazy or can a guy easily pull this off?
Yes! 😉
Well, to each his own, but I find this pretty darned feminine myself. Maybe the right guy could pull it off, but it isn't something I'd call obviously unisex (?)
Hi would anyone reccomend this as a gift for a 17 year old?
It for her birthday off ne thanks
Well, I dont' know that I'd buy it as a gift for anyone if I didn't know their taste — and not sure it's the sort of scent that would be widely popular with that age group.
My mom bought me this fragrance for my birthday. She picked it out in her search to find a fragrance that she thought would be right for me. But i have mixed feelings about it…to me its kind of a mix of hairspray and a sweet rich fruity liqueur. The dry down is nice, and i like that its a perfume that has so many stages of development, where as some other perfumes basically smell the same the whole time. In the final stages it is warm and spicy but still very floral.
I think that it will grow on me, and if my mom picked it out for me, that must mean something right? It's quite a dark strong smell, and I think i would have to be in the right mood to wear it. A strong, romantic, sexy mood. Or maybe when i'm in a daring, slightly dark mood haha! But seriously, it's not a perfume to be taken lightly, it has a bold character. I would recommend trying it.
Hope it will grow on you — but it's so hard to pick out the right fragrance for someone else, so hope you won't feel bad if you never fall in love with it.
My daughter and I were in Macy's today and sniffed this on a card and we were both intrigued enough to ask for samples so we can try it later when we don't have other perfume on. I immediately got a spicey feel [nutmeg-y] – my daughter got a bourbon-y note. She said it was like alcohol and Christmas cookies which I thought was so cute. I just smelled the card again and I'm getting a blast of gardenia now. I look forward to actually wearing this tomorrow and then see what I think.
Did you wear it on skin yet?
Well, it is now the following day and I wore this fragrance today. I love it. This is a perfect cold weather scent for me. I love the spiciness and lushness I'm getting. It really lasts too which is a bonus for me – my sense of smell gets fatigued very quickly usually [unfortunately] and I'm so happy that I can still actually enjoy this so late in the day. I'm a fan! 🙂
Sounds perfect for you — that's great!
Well, I now have a [big] bottle. I wonder why I get gardenia from this? I don't see that mentioned as a note in any description I come across. Anyway, I just spritzed with abandon and I'm feeling quite satisfied with myself! Just in time too – I needed some aromatherapy today.
Maybe it's the tuberose? Don't know…but glad you got yourself a bottle, enjoy!
Is it just me, or does this smell of amber, and only amber, all the way through? If there are other notes in it, they must be hiding from me.
It's ambery, but smells like more than that to me.
How strange. I guess it's one perfume that doesn't like me.
Does anyone know the target market age range of this perfume ?
No, sorry.
I just tried this today and I like it. Not sure I like it enough to spend money on but I have lots of Shoppers Drug Mart points so I think I’ll get this and Cartier Roadster with them.
Sounds like a good deal!
We are now less than a year after the launch of SO and I see in the sales bin of every perfume store I go to. Is it being discountinued? If that’s the case, the recession hasn’t made big companies like Coty (they own CK fragrances) very patient.
No idea if it’s being discontinued, but no — the perfume companies do not seem to have slowed down even slightly under the recession.
Seeing as how the last post about this fragrance was July 2009, my favorite perfume store still carries this fragrance in abundance for any Secret Obsession lovers. Personally I enjoy this fragrance. It is one I have to be in the mood for though.