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One thing that fragrance enthusiasts agree on is that Calvin Klein scents smell amazing. The brand has a knack for releasing clean and fresh scents underlined by a sexy, refined, yet minimalistic profile.
The luxury brand’s successful foray into perfumery kicked off in 1981 with Calvin by Calvin Klein, the debut male scent.
This CK Be review takes an unbiased look at CK Be cologne, a hip perfume with a sophisticated, urban profile. Is it any good, and if so, what does it smell like?
The Story Behind CK Be for Men
Calvin Klein Be Cologne inspires you to be yourself and express your individuality.
The scent encourages a life filled with boldness, zeal, and freedom. Upon its release in 1996, users were invited to experience the fragrance by closing their eyes and allowing themselves to “just be.”
This popular scent with a delightful aroma is the creation of Ann Gottlieb.
While it’s a Calvin Klein bestseller in its own right, many fans like comparing it to CK One. The two fragrances heralded the concept of unisex fragrances in the 90s.
Continue reading this Calvin Klein Be Cologne review for a deeper understanding of what the scent has to offer.
CK Be
Our Verdict of CK Be
Presentation
Elegant minimalism is the name of the game.
CK Be men’s cologne Eau de Toilette is bottled in a simplistic glass bottle. The matte-black flacon comes inscribed with the perfume name (in grey lettering) at the front and the brand name at the bottom front. Meantime, a black screw cap keeps the contents in place.
Even with the simple outlook, the perfume exudes a stylish appeal and would stand out in any fragrance collection.
This CK cologne is available in 100 ml and 200 ml sizes (3.38 and 6.76 ounces).
Scent
A cologne’s scent profile is integral to its formulation because it defines its aroma.
With CK Be for Men, you get a fresh and inspiring opening comprising zesty citrus accords, green notes, juniper, lavender, and peppermint top notes. Pleasant, subtle, and non-overpowering is how to describe this uplifting opening.
At the heart of the fragrance, we have intoxicating florals combined with fruity peach for a feminine touch. Meantime, the base is a hypnotic bed of warm amber, vanilla, cedar, and transparent white musk. The result is a refined, green-tinged aromatic concoction balanced with woods.
This Calvin Klein cologne makes a fantastic signature scent because it’s as unique as the wearer. It smells fabulous, is widely appealing, and exudes a clean, slightly soapy quality upon settling on the skin.
Performance
A good scent should linger on the skin for a considerable amount of time, at least for as long as you need it. This means if you want your fragrance to last a whole day, you should choose one with long staying power.
CK Be’s performance isn’t all that amazing, but it’s pretty decent. Still, the cologne cannot be described as bold, and the sillage isn’t huge, either.
What we have here is moderate projection and longevity (though you can get up to 8 hours depending on your body chemistry). Therefore, you’ll need to reapply your scent after a couple of hours.
While the average staying power is a drawback, it helps that CK Be Men’s cologne is quite affordable, so a few extra spritzes won’t dent your pocket. To better appreciate how long perfume lasts on the skin, read our helpful guide.
Versatility
CK Be is a versatile scent meant for the outdoors. The perfect companion when trekking through a forest or hiking, it is ideal for daytime wear, particularly during warm seasons (summer and spring). In fact, it’s pretty safe for daily wear but not recommended for night wear or date nights.
Created to cater to men and women of all ages, the cologne boasts a decidedly feminine floral bouquet but leans heavily on the masculine side. This makes Calvin Klein Be a terrific option for gents seeking something light and non-intrusive. You can wear the uplifting fragrance casually, at the gym, or to work.
Overall
CK Be is an entrancing woody mesh of bergamot, magnolia, and oriental white spices. The cologne delivers a fresh, clean, warm, and intimate scent with a distinct aroma, its tonic freshness evolving into a sweet and sensual woody musk that beckons you to get closer.
While it’s not a beast performer, this perfume gets an exciting twist from spicy fresh mint and juniper. There is some depth, too, though not that significant, not forgetting the beautiful lavender. It’s a scent that works incredibly well with almost all casual occasions and attire. In a nutshell, an amazing dumb reach. That said, if you want something more robust, consider CK One cologne.
This aromatic fragrance remains a global bestseller, although it’s pretty hard to come across nowadays. One CK Be cologne review speculated the scent could be undergoing reformulation.
Still, if you get your hands on it, the Eau de Toilette makes a worthwhile purchase. It’s versatile, smells great, and the price is fair. Anybody can pull it off; it is skewed toward a youthful audience but has a mature slant too.
Want to add a classy, alluring, old-time favorite with a 90s edge to your arsenal? Look no further than CK Be EDT.
Top Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, Mandarin orange, Juniper, Green notes, Mint
Middle Notes: Green grass, Freesia, Jasmine, Peach, Orchid, Magnolia
Base Notes: Musk, Cedar, Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Opoponax
Pros
- Silky, sensual, and irresistibly sexy
- Ultra-fresh and clean
- For a man keen to make a statement
Cons
- Longevity may be an issue