CK One Essence Fragrance Review – Here’s What It Smells Like

One of the most iconic fragrances which has ever been created has to be CK One from Calvin Klein. I had it growing up, and still have a bottle now.

Calvin Klein released CK One Essence in 2024, a brand new ode to the classic scent. But how does it stack up?

I wanted to try this out and got a bottle for Christmas last year.

This is how it smells, how it compares to the original and everything you need to know about CK One Essence.

What Does CK One Essence Smell Like?

First of all CK One Essence is a really nice smell. When I sprayed this I was instantly hit with the zesty lemon which is bergamot, along with some slight notes of orange and a hint of peppery spice type of notes.

Once it settles down I get the soft woods, sandalwood and finally there is a moss which is quite noticeable.

It is very similar to the original CK One, which I’ll get on to now.

CK One Essence vs CK One

CK One Essence shares a huge amount of the DNA of the original CK One, which is good since the OG is a timeless scent. Where the two differ is that the new CK One Essence has a more mossy and soft woody note to it, while the original concentrates more on it’s citrus.

Which is better?

I prefer the original CK One, but they are so close there’s not a lot in it. This could be because of the nostalgic factor more than the actual scent profile, as both are very nice fresh and citrus scents.

CK One Essence Notes

Top Notes – Bergamot, White Tea, Orange, Black Pepper

Heart Notes – Mint, Geranium

Base Notes – Sandalwood, Musk, Incense, Moss

Fragrance Accords

How Long Does CK One Essence Last?

CK One Essence is a light fragrance so don’t expect it to have a super longevity. However it is a parfum intense, so it still does last a nice amount of time. CK One Essence lasts 5 – 6 hours when I wear it on my skin which I am happy with.

How Strong Is CK One Essence?

CK One Essence isn’t overly strong either. When I spray it I can smell it on myself, and others close can smell it too. As it’s a light, citrus fresh type of scent it’s perfectly natural for it to not be super strong, but it’s still strong enough to smell.

I would say overall this is reasonably strong as a scent.

How Many Sprays Do You Need?

When it comes to the number of sprays, I usually use 7 sprays for CK One Essence.

CK One Essence Pros And Cons

CK One Essence Bottle

The CK One Essence bottle comes in exactly the same style as the original. It’s a cylindrical bottle shape, however this one is a different colour.

While the original has frosted white glass, CK One Essence has a translucent chromatic finish which makes it really stand out.

There’s 50ml and 100ml bottles available, I have a 50ml bottle which is more than enough for me.

What Clothes To Wear With CK One Essence

When it comes to what clothes to wear with CK One Essence, it will come down to a casual wardrobe.

For the colder months, sweatshirts, hoodies, jeans and t-shirts are the perfect complimenting clothing with this scent. When the weather warms up in summer, CK One Essence will work perfectly with shorts and a t-shirt, chinos and a t-shirt and other casual wear.

When To Wear CK One Essence

CK One Essence is light and has mass appeal, so it can be worn in almost any casual setting. If you’re looking for an office fragrance, this is one you can easily wear to work.

It’s also one you can wear to and from the gym, or as a daily fragrance which will make you smell nice without too much effort at all.

Who Is CK One Essence For?

Just like it’s original older brother, CK One Essence is a unisex fragrance aimed at a youthful audience. It’s light woods give it a slightly more mature edge, so you can easily wear this fragrance no matter what your age is.

Is CK One Essence Worth It?

In today’s market, I think that CK One Essence is definitely worth owning. If you’re 40+ and were a fan of the original, you can still buy that, it’s a brilliant scent.

For those who like it and want something slightly different, this definitely fits the bill.

You can expect to pay around £30 – 40 a bottle, but there’s always deals on. This is a good price for an aftershave in today’s world.

Where To Buy CK One Essence

CK One Essence is widely available in virtually any place which sells fragrances.

The usual department stores, Boots and the fragrance shop all sell this, and you can buy it on Amazon too (note: Only buy it from Amazon direct and not 3rd party sellers).

It’s worthwhile shopping around to get the best price, there’s always deals on Calvin Klein fragrances in various shops.

Fragrance Details

Longevity – CK One Essence is a parfum intense strength fragrance with a light profile. I was able to get 5-6 hours with this.

Projection – The projection is decent, with you being able to smell it and those around you can too.

Best season to wear – All Rounder
Scent type – Citrus/Fresh/Slightly Woody
Age Recommendation – 16+
Best Worn – Daytime, Casual, Smart Casual

Top Notes – Bergamot, White Tea, Orange, Black Pepper

Heart Notes – Mint, Geranium

Base Notes – Sandalwood, Musk, Incense, Moss

Verdict

CK One Essence is a very good fresh citrus fragrance from Calvin Klein that builds on the original. There’s no doubt about the similarities, with this adding a more mossy and soft woody note which really shines through after a little while.

It’s a great scent to own, and to wear during the day when you want something easy to put on.

I still prefer the original CK One, but as I already mentioned, this is probably due to the nostalgic factor of wearing this in the 90’s.

If you’ve tried this let me know what you think, and of course check out all the aftershaves in the fragrance blog where I’ve got over 100 reviews.