GuaranaOpens with
Balsam FirHeart
Madagascar VanillaDries down to
Stephen NilsenThe nose · 16 fragrances · also made Tease Crème Cloud (2021)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Calvin Klein · Sold as masculine
Dark Obsession
The quiet confidence of a dimly lit study where the warmth of amber intertwines with the subtle hint of leather-bound books.
Full bottle: Mid-range tier, typically $40–100. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Dark ObsessionMid-range · $40–100
32%Similar accords, often for lessKashan · Lattafa PerfumesBudget tier, under $40 · shares clary sage and vetiver8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
BaseFoundation
The story behind the bottle.
Dark Obsession, launched by Calvin Klein in 2013 and crafted by Stephen Nilsen, is an Oriental Woody fragrance that balances bright and warm elements to create a complex profile. The composition opens with the vibrant energy of guarana and green mandarin, which cut through the richness of vanilla and suede. As it evolves, clary sage and vetiver add depth, while balsam fir and labdanum lend a woody warmth. This fragrance is neither overly sweet nor too austere, making it suitable for both day and night.
One or two sprays are sufficient — the aromatic top notes are lively but fade within an hour, while the powdery and musky base notes provide lasting comfort. This fragrance is best suited for evenings when its warm, leathery depth can truly shine.
Fig. 01 — Dark Obsession, Calvin Klein
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
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Stephen Nilsen
From colloidal physics to Truth or DareStephen Nilsen earned a Bachelor's in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1990 and a PhD in the same field from Stanford in 1995, with a doctoral thesis on the structure and dynamics of colloidal suspensions.
Designer Calvin Klein
More from the house · founded 1968 · United States
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalDark ObsessionCalvin Klein · Mid-range · $40–100Lattafa Perfumes · 2024KashanShares Clary sage and Vetiverunder $40★ 4.09 (502)
With Calvin Klein Calvin Klein
Adds floral, white floral and rose; shares two accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 37%, disliked or hated by 12%.