Calvin Klein 2023 Parfum

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Defy

by Pascal Gaurin

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Calvin Klein Defy is a Parfum launched in 2023, created by Pascal Gaurin. Defy opens with Pink Pepper, settles into a heart of Lavender, and dries down to a base of Cacao Pod. Calvin Klein's Defy carries a Favourite verdict, a fruity-led wear.

This Defy flanker is a surprisingly decent offering from CK, bafflingly overlooked and unfairly review-bombed. It’s got that crowd-pleasing lavender-cacao combo, meaning it leans sweet and clean without being dull. A solid, versatile everyday reach if you're after something pleasant and widely appealing.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Clean
  • Modern
  • Relaxed
  • Cozy
  • Subtle
£22.81 at The Beauty Store 50ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Defy Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Pink Pepper100%
Heartas listed
Lavender100%
Baseas listed
Cacao Pod100%

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter
Also Works:
Summer

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date

Its moderate projection and generally inoffensive profile make it suitable for office and casual wear. While some find it sexy for dates, its lack of strong sillage limits its impact in more formal settings, and the cozy cacao notes aren't ideal for sport.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

Declarable under EU Annex III

  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Opens with a spark of pink pepper, swiftly softened by the aromatic, clean embrace of lavender. As it settles, a comforting, slightly gourmand cacao pod emerges, giving it a cozy sweetness that balances its initial freshness. It’s a smooth, well-blended scent that transitions gracefully.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Defy Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Defy Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 30 September

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.