Spicing Things Up

Who says gender-neutral fragrances are blah? Calvin Klein’s latest scent comes with a titillating wasabi zing, and is tailored for both him and her.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
Who says gender-neutral fragrances are blah? Calvin Klein’s latest scent comes with a titillating wasabi zing, and is tailored for both him and her.
My Reading Room

The best thing about being attached is that you get to share everything (hello, comfy boyfriend shirts). And if you’re the type of couple that loves having matching outfits, phone cases... the whole nine yards, then you’ll love Ck2, Calvin Klein’s newest fragrance for both him and her.

Think gender-neutral fragrances and clean, refreshing scents come to mind. But the problem with such scents is they can come off as a tad too sterile and bland – which can be difficult to get used to if you love a hint of floral or bold citrusy notes in your perfumes. Not to mention, what he likes can be very different from what you like.

Thankfully, Ck2 is anything but a boring scent. The crisp opening notes of mandarin and violet leaf are punctuated by an exhilarating zap of wasabi, which is bound to excite his senses. Yes, you read that right. While the thought of it might remind you of that one time you choked on wasabi at a sushi joint, this ingredient provides a light, refreshing zing on the first spray. This is contrasted by the warmth of the scent’s base, which is a musky blend of vetiver, incense and sandalwood. A sensuous combination, no doubt, made even more provocative by the complexity of the scent.

Another suprising addition to this scent is hints of wet cobblestone, marrying the woody fresh scent of this eau de toilette with smells of the concrete jungle that urbanites like us would recognise.

In line with the gender-neutral theme of this fragrance, the transparent bottle has an understated, minimalist aesthetic. The sleek packaging comprises two design components: a rounded glass bulb to hold the fragrance, and a solid rectangular cap that also doubles as a stand to prop the fragrance upside down. A true multitasker, Ck2 won’t just make you smell good – the striking bottle passes off as a modern art sculpture and can work as a statement piece on your vanity table.

My Reading Room

What’s mine is yours

When two become one, it just makes sense to share stuff. Here are some things (besides a fragrance) that couples can share.

A NETFLIX ACCOUNT

This one’s a no-brainer, since the both of you Netflix and chill so much.

SHIRTS

OK fine, this is more of a one-sided thing. Not your fault if he can’t squeeze into your shirts!

FOOD

Look at all the sides you can order now that you have a permanent plus one! It’s a whole new world.

A SAVINGS ACCOUNT

A couple who saves together, stays together.

MEMORIES

And here’s the most precious thing you can share with anyone – your life. Aww.