Calvin Klein is a brand that brings back awesome memories of when I began my initial tender steps into the world of fragrance in the 1980s. Although a bit like that crazy friend you just felt you grew out of, I dropped poor CK like a lead balloon.
Fast-forward more than 30 years, and it’s high time for a reunion. I decided to sample all that CK has to offer, so coming up are 7 scents have made it into my best Calvin Klein fragrances for men review. My favourite CK scent is finally revealed in the conclusion section of this article.
The Calvin Klein Brand
Designer Calvin Klein started the American fashion house, Calvin Klein Inc back in the late 1960s. The brand became extremely popular throughout the 1970s. However, it was not until the early 1980s when they introduced their line of underwear for men and women did their popularity explode to another level.
The name Calvin Klein is now synonymous with youth culture, affordable fashion, and also the concept of a unisex fragrance. With bestsellers such as Eternity, Obsession, and CK One, Calvin Klein has chosen to move forward and innovate rather than rest on their laurels and past glories. They have several new and exciting fragrances that should not be overlooked.
7 Best Calvin Klein Fragrances For Men
Calvin Klein has been producing superb scents since the early 80s and still have a great collection of modern, forward-looking masculine fragrances. Here are the best Calvin Klein fragrances for men that should fit nicely in your daily fragrance routine.
1. CK EVERYONE
Review
Building on the foundation of the now-iconic CK ONE, CK EVERYONE is an ultra-fresh unisex fragrance that is perfect for any mood or any occasion.
CK EVERYONE has a bright opening of zesty sweet orange and spicy ginger. Soon to follow are more watery notes combined with tea. At this point, it feels more feminine. However, after about 20 minutes, the deeper notes of cedar, amber and musk make a welcome appearance. This seems to turn the tables to become more of a masculine fragrance, in my opinion.
This is a terrific clean and crisp aquatic citrus fragrance that is fresh, slightly woody and very easy going. Just the sort of scent to wear for when you want to smell incredibly fresh but not appear to be trying too hard.
The only drawback surrounding this fragrance is longevity. I am afraid 2-3 hours is the best I managed to achieve and tested it several times. After that is becomes a skin scent. It’s a shame as it smells great, but only for a few hours.
As for when to wear, this has spring/summer written all over it. More of a chilled daytime fragrance.
Presented in a clear (and recyclable!) bottle that reminds me of the old glass Calamine Lotion bottle
One to wear for a daytime date or Sunday brunch when you want to smell deliciously fresh but not overpowering. Highly recommended, although take into consideration it’s longevity does not make this an all day long fragrance.
Top Notes:
Orange Oil, Ginger
Mid Notes:
Tea, Watery Notes
Base Notes:
Cedar, Patchouli, Amber, Musk
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
2. Eternity For Men – Eau de Toilette
Review
Let’s face it, Eternity For Men is a Calvin Klein classic. Created in the 1990s by Carlos Benaïm of Polo Ralph Lauren fame and currently making waves with fragrances at Frederic Malle, Eternity still deserves your attention.
The opening is an exciting citrusy combo of orange and bergamot combined with glorious lavender and slight soapy green notes. I never tire of the beginning.
Midway things become more herb-like with basil and sage joining forces to deliver a sense of mystery. Jasmine (that to me smells more on the side of hedione) and geranium bring a duo of floral notes to brighten the overall experience.
The dry-down is sweet and warm with freshly-cut woody notes combined with vetiver delivers a wonderfully well-rounded fragrance
Longevity is moderate, 4+ hours which is very respectable for this Eau de Toilette.
Even though this has lavender notes (that typically makes me think of summer), you can wear this any time of year and any time of day as the mids and base notes do an incredible job.
Presented in a very classy, almost art-deco bottle with clean lines and a silver cap.
Just because this has been around for a long time, please don’t ignore it. Perhaps one of the most outstanding men’s fragrances available.
Top Notes:
Lavender, Mandarin, Orange, Bergamot, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Coriander, Lily, Orange Blossom, Juniper, Basil, Jasmine, Sage, Lily-of-the-Valley, Geranium
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Vetiver, Rosewood
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
3. Eternity For Men – Eau de Parfum
Review
Eternity For Men Eau de Parfum is an entirely different beast to is a Calvin Klein classic. It is a darker and more masculine scent that takes the classic Carlos Benaïm Eau de Toilette version and introduces a more woody/spicy vibe.
The opening is clean and crisp rather than the citrus of the EDT. Apple and sage combine with fresh lavender and sultry suede to provide a real sense of refinement and understated elegance.
Enter the mid notes; fresh ‘evergreen’ woody notes of cypress combine with geranium to deliver a fresh/floral/green-woody experience. Upon dry-down, more woody notes of vetiver appear and combine with the ‘damp-forest’ almost moss-like smell of ambergris.
Eternity For Men Eau de Parfum is a perfect example of where the EDP and EDT are quite different but tied together with a few common notes (in this case lavender, sage and geranium).
Longevity is 5+ hours on the skin and longer on clothing. Due to the cypress mids and woody/ambergris base, I recommend this fragrance more for autumn/winter and perhaps spring.
Presented in the same art-deco looking bottle as the Eau de Toilette that enjoys clean lines and a silver cap. The main difference is the more vibrant, emerald green colour.
Overall, Eternity For Men (Eau de Parfum) is a fresher, greener and more masculine version of Eternity EDT. Side by side I personally preferred the EDT version over the EDP.
Top Notes:
Sage, Apple
Mid Notes:
Cypress, Geranium, Nutmeg, Lavender
Base Notes:
Suede, Ambergris, Vetiver, Orris Root, Woody notes
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
4. Eternity Air for Men – Eau de Toilette
Review
Calvin Klein themselves describe CK Eternity Air as a fragrance with aromatic airy freshness, and they are not wrong. Eternity Air is a light and nimble marine/oceanic men’s fragrance that can easily become your daily go-to casual scent.
The opening for CK Eternity Air is nicely soft, with salty/fresh marine notes and crisp ozonic. Juniper and orange are reasonably strong for the first couple of minutes although soon settle into the overall scent. Upon dry-down, the sweet/musky smell of ambergris makes itself known, along with additional saltiness of seaweed. From time to time notes of lavender pop up which keeps things interesting.
This is a fresh airy/salty scent that settles nicely into a soft masculine, clean and fresh casual ‘not-trying-too-hard’ vibe.
As with most light and fresh fragrances that are top and mid-note heavy, longevity is not that impressive at 3+ hours before turning into a skin scent. Will certainly see you through an evening meal, trip to the cinema, or the theatre perhaps.
Due to the oceanic freshness combined with juniper and seaweed, I recommend Eternity Air as a spring/summer daytime scent.
Presented in the same classic art-deco style bottle as the other Eternity fragrances clean lines and a silver cap. This is my favourite bottle in the entire CK collection as the blue colour is almost hypnotic. Looks fantastic.
In summary, CK Eternity Air certainly lives up to its name; it’s an aromatic fresh marine fragrance with hints of juniper and orange. A modern, slightly green aquatic. Very nice indeed.
Top Notes:
Orange, Juniper, Sea notes, Ozonic notes
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Apple, Violet
Base Notes:
Seaweed, Patchouli, Ambergris
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
5. Obsession for Men Eau de Toilette
Review
Calvin Klein Obsession for men was first launched back in 1986 and quickly become THE men’s fragrance of the 80s and early 90s. Warming spicy/woody notes combined with cinnamon created something special. Fast forward to the present day, it has become a true classic masculine fragrance.
Opens with a wonderful initial citrus burst of orange, grapefruit and bergamot, quickly followed by the floral of lavender and carnation. Upon dry-down, sweet-spicy notes of cinnamon, smooth vanilla, and musky sandalwood envelop both your and those around you. Warm and rich amber is ever-present and adds a feeling of class to the experience.
This is a very sophisticated and stylish fragrance that gets lots of compliments.
The sheer number of notes really add to the overall complexity of this fragrance. Perfect to wear for almost any occasion; the office, date night, wedding, funerals, and everything in between.
With its warming woody/amber base notes and delightfully smooth vanilla and spicy cinnamon, this leans more to autumn/winter. Perhaps slightly more nighttime, although definitely late afternoon onwards.
Longevity is excellent, this is a long-lasting fragrance. 6+ hours is no problem and will last longer on clothes.
Obsession for Men is still presented in the same eye-catching oval-shaped bottle when it was first launched. Has a light orange hue of the fragrance inside with a burnt orange cap.
Wearing Obsession for Men today, you soon realise that it was ahead of its time. In fact, it’s timeless. One of the all-time greats and a must for your collection, no matter your age.
Obsession for Men is still presented in the same eye-catching oval-shaped bottle when it was first launched. Has a light orange hue of the fragrance inside with a burnt orange cap.
Top Notes:
Coriander, Lavender, Mandarin Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lime, Cinnamon
Mid Notes:
Nutmeg, Carnation, Jasmine, Sage , Rosewood, Pine
Base Notes:
Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Vanilla, Vetiver
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
6. Obsessed for Men – Eau de Toilette
Review
Launched in 2017, Obsessed for Men is Calvin Klein’s dark and sexy male oriental/woody fragrance that is so much more than being just a generic flanker of the original Obsession. With an array of sophisticated notes such as deep vanilla, musky ambroxan, pepper, and suede, its inevitable that something special will happen.
It opens rather brightly with the sharper citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. Pepper, cardamon and sweet juicy pineapple also enter the affray. The overall initial effect is first-class.
After 20 minutes, floral of freshly pressed lavender appears and mingles (rather then overpowers) with the beautiful peppery/sweet citrus top notes. Dry-down is equally divine, with vanilla, ambroxan, leather and woody notes.
This is one of those any-season, any-time, any-occasion fragrances. Its a classy, sophisticated and downright sexy masculine scent. Perfect for date nights or any night (or day for that matter).
Longevity is excellent, this is a long-lasting fragrance. 7+ hours. The vanilla, ambroxan and suede hold up really well, and oddly I kept getting the sweetness of pineapple for quite some time. Impressive.
Presented in the same classic style bottle as Obsession, Obsessed appears discreet with its clear parfum and clear glass bottle. No indication of the wildly eclectic notes that reside inside is given away. Love it.
In short, Obsessed for men is an exciting modern-contemporary oriental male fragrance that is spicy, woody, yet slightly sweet and extremely smooth. Well worth the investment.
Top Notes:
Grapefruit, Pepper, Cardamom, Lemon, Lavender
Mid Notes:
Cedar, Labdanum, Leather, Geranium, Pineapple
Base Notes:
Black Vanilla, Patchouli, Ambroxan ,Amberwood, Cinnamon
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
7. Euphoria Men – Eau de Toilette
Review
Euphoria for Men by Calvin Klein is an ultra-fresh, spicy, citrusy, woody aromatic male fragrance that is sophisticated and attention-grabbing.
This oriental fragrance opens with a wonderful warm wave of ginger and pepper. Sage and basil come through nicely to add additional herbal notes. Upon dry-down, woody notes of cedar and light yet detectable warm/resinous amber provide a soothingly sensual base. Not overly strong, so makes it ideal for the office or other occasions when you want to smell fantastic close-up, but not empty the room.
As for when to wear, although you would expect an oriental scent with such spicy/woody notes to be more autumn/winter, I feel that because its light and fresh this makes an excellent all-year-round fragrance.
Does not have the punch for nighttime wear but makes an ideal morning or after-the-gym scent. Ideal for when you don’t want to something overly strong but fancy a little sophistication.
Euphoria Men is a moderately long-lasting fragrance at 4+ hours. Best to spray your clothing a little also to add to the longevity. Watch out for staining of course!
Presented in a wonderfully well crafted contemporary glass bottle with metallic sides and matching cap.
Overall, Euphoria Men is a sexy oriental masculine fragrance that is both modern and fresh.
Top Notes:
Ginger, Pepper
Mid Notes:
Basil, Sage ,Cedar
Base Notes:
Amber, Patchouli, Redwood, Suede
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
Conclusion
Calvin Klein has been around for what feels like forever, yet somehow they still manage to create fresh and youthful smelling male fragrances. Every guy should own at least one of these 7 best Calvin Klein fragrances for men in their collection.
For me was a toss-up between Eternity EDT and Obsession EDT, so I bought both as they are great value anyway. What one will it be for you?
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, designer handbags, luxury accessories and more.
