Secret Obsession (2008)
by Calvin Klein

Secret Obsession is a fruity floral flanker that unfortunately has very little in common with its namesake… Judging from the advertising campaign, this one is supposed to be a very sexy and sensual Oriental. I find it more floral than Oriental and the dominant floral element I get is tuberose that is shadowed by orange blossom and a poorly done orchid. Recessive as it is, I don’t like the orchid note at all. While the tuberose note itself is rather okay, the background – the matrix – to the tuberose is quite generically floral hairspray. The drydown seems an after thought, but actually is quite nice – at least it keeps a damper on excessive sweetness. While I don’t get a lot of actual spice, I get many vibrant vibrations from Secret Obsession, which makes me question the “secret” aspect of the name: It’s a little too strong to keep its secret for very long.

Except for the disliked orchid note, this is an okay fragrance that I ordinarily would not be so dismissive of… but, because of my admiration for the original Obsession, I see the marketing of this flanker as a violation…

Probably the best release from this house in quite a while, Secret Obsession is a nice creamy woody-amber scent. Although, at times, one gets the impression that Feminitè du Bois may have been the inspiration for this scent, I'll still give it a thumbs up for providing the female masses with something more substantial and less patronising.

[Original submission date: 05 January 2009]

This is very, very weak on my skin. I've worn it several times and I find it difficult to review because I've now pumped six sprays on my forearm and elbow, and I can barely pick up a thing. Faint sandalwood, spice, amber, and maybe some fruit. A fairly dry scent overall. It does have some projection, oddly enough. I've encountered weird scents before that you can catch whiff of in the air around you, but when you put nose to skin they seem to run and hide. I do get a little similarity to Feminite du Bois, but FdB is much boozier and fruiter (like plum wine with spices), and much more potent. Too bad I have to pass on this one because I love the bottle.

I have a little theory about Secret Obsession. I think it is a Feminite du Bois knock-off.

For the first few minutes of "plums and woods" it's a dead ringer for FdB, I swear. But I am not overkeen on FdB anymore - I find it too big, too radiant and too loud - I actually prefer Bourdon's reworking in Dolce Vita and think it works better as a baseline. Here though, it's been used as a melody with woody musks as a base and some of that strange salty note shared by Eau des Merveilles, Lolita Lempicka and Gres Cabaret, to cut the sweetness of the fruit.

I find it immensely wearable. Just when I am starting to tire of the big fruit and wood opening, the salt cuts in and saves it, plus it wears close to the skin and doesn't do that FdB massively radiant thing which I struggle with. And it's a damn sight cheaper. A good result all round as far as I'm concerned.

This is a modern feminine oriental that isn't tarty or tacky and is aimed at women over 25. Hoorah! No, the longevity isn't huge, but that's not actually a bad thing. You can wear this to the office knowing you won't make the classic 80s gaffe of gassing everyone in the room with your fragrance. And if you want to make more of an impression after lunch, you can always reapply.

I tried this one on yesterday, and I felt like fainting....it was horrible! At first I thought it was magnolia, then I read the notes and I think its the Jasmine that overpowers any other smell. It gave me such a headache. I didn't get any of the wonderful scents it promises...

Gud One but not very Gud due to the lacking in its staying power. I agreed with all who needs a launch of its Intense Version! Trying it for my wife was ok but buying was not an option just bcoz its negatively subtle for my taste of feeling something over her skin. Good Florals with nice Plum and Nutmeg!

Thumbs Up for the composition and Negative for Staying Power = Neutral