The follow-up to Calvin Klein’s ck one, the designer’s first unisex scent, 1996’s ck be celebrates it’s 10th anniversary this year, and due to some strong word-of-mouth, I decided to give it a try. Ck be has notes of bergamot, juniper berry, mandarin, mint, lavender, magnolia, peach, amber, sandalwood, opoponax and tonka bean. Though it’s described as a musk scent, musk is not listed in the pyramid.
Ck be opens with a citrus rush of bergamot not unlike ck one. The juniper and mint add brightness and from there the scent begins to fade. The peach seems to be blended into the base and instead of creating a fruity effect, here it merely softens and adds a crispness to the tonka bean. The strength of the scent is disappointing and it took quite a few sprays to really be able to get a sense of the composition. But after two hours, I’m left with a subtle skin scent, like the remnants of a juniper and citrus body wash. Not really a distinct aroma, just a whisper of clean.
A devoted fan of Calvin Klein’s earlier men’s scents (Obsession, Eternity, Escape, and most recently, Truth for Men) I somehow avoided ck be when it was launched. Not a fan of ck one, having been overwhelmed by its popularity upon release (it seemed to be everywhere!), I suppose I summarily dismissed be. I can see ck be becoming a comfort scent for me — something simple and clean and appropriate to wear to the gym or perhaps while lounging at home. This is a safe bet for teens and boyfriends who might unwittingly tend to overapply scent. Happy Anniversary ck be.
Ck be may be purchased…just about everywhere.
6 Comments
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Marlen, is it really only ten years? CK one and be seem to have been round for centuries – they're as ubiquitous as Coke cans! Even the most modest pharmacy can produce a bottle of each of these…the opposite of Niche, that's for sure. Yet I can't for the life of me remember what be smells like, which suggests it wasn't that much of an advance on CK one?
I absolutely love to wear CK Be to go to bed: it is so comfortable and clean skin, I even spray it on my pillows… I don't ever wear it during the day or to go out, I guess I just don't see it as a fragrance…anyway good for sweet dreams !!!
Vanillagirl – it has indeed been that long…I expect to see these in supermarkets soon next to Old Spice and Axe, and I had the same problem remembering the scent before testing it again recently…
Massilia – that's exactly what I was thinking, something to scent the sheets with…
Lemming! Read your review and then hunted out my sample vial and threw some on (after a lengthy battle with what looks like a screw cap, but is not. Ahem.) I like it, it's nice, but a bit feeble and just perfect for the movies or long train rides when you don't want to offend with heady fumes.
I really, really like CKbe. It's a summer staple for me, because the heat brings out the soft, musky base. Also enjoy the gin & tonic topnotes. If you apply very generously it wil last quite a while. Thanks for the review Marlen.
Karamea – I agree, nice and inoffensive, but not striking.
Håkan – I look forward to trying this one out on a hot summer day! When I try it on I spray rather lavishly and repeatedly, but still the scent just reminds a whisper.