As you all probably know by now, EBP isn’t some kind of official-speak, as in, “Hey, Joe, what’s your ETA to the next delivery stop?” It’s Emergency Backup Perfume, and it was coined by lovely Posse reader AnnieA , commenting on one of my posts several years ago. It’s something a lot of us probably do without even thinking about it: We apply a scent at home, then put the spray or vial or mini bottle into to-go mode and head out the door. And after a busy day or week — or in my case, sometime even months 🙂 — we forget to take them all back out again.
Now that we’re in a new season, it’s high time to sniff some fragrant transitions.
As for me and my EBP, I’m carrying around decants/samples of Tom Ford’s Vert d’Encens, Hermes d’Galop, Christian Louboutin’s Trouble in Heaven, and Amouage’s Lilac Love (not what you might think of as a traditional fall-type scent, but I’m loving its floral, slightly gourmand goodness anyway).
What about you? Do have a peek at the bottoms of your purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc., and share your EBP: What vials, decants, bottles, etc., are rolling around in there?
And, as always, a word of caution: I try to keep my EBP items in a plastic zip-top baggie in a feeble attempt at organization, but also mostly because I’m deathly afraid of leakage. Having once had the lining of a handbag stained this way, I’m not eager for a repeat performance. And it is nice to have your scent choices all together and see them at a glance, instead of spread out all loosey-goosey in the bottom of your purse, which is what I used to do, before said accident.
P.S. Thanks again for all of your wonderful anniversary wishes last week and also your mascara advice and suggestions. I wound up trying one of the mascaras and it did add a bit of drama and definition to my eyes for our night out, but with my very short, sparse lashes, there was only so much it could do, ha!
Shockingly,I don’t have any fragrance in my purse! But in my defense I just switched purses this morning and I just got my Fossil Emerson bag for my tenth anniversary at work . I’m still huffing the new purse leather… That’s perfectly normal ,right?
Yes, ma’am — it’s better than normal — it’s WONDERFUL!! Love that new purse smell — enjoy!
I recently found a sample of Laboratorio Olfattivo Decou Vert in my purse, a green, spring-like floral scent. No idea why I left it in there for so long 😛 My new EBP is a sample of Back to Black.
Marie, haven’t smelled that LO, but it sounds like a very happy accident. And enjoy your Back to Black this fall!
P.S. I’m about to do some fall cleaning, reorganizing, etc., and I’m excited/nervous about what I will find. I know there are sure to several “a-ha — there it is!” moments.
Ooops — that should have been “sure to be several …” 🙂
Ugh, I took out summer stuff but I have not replaced with a fall EBP. I cant even think of what I might choose right now. in previous years it was 5 o’clock au gingembre but that decant’s empty now. I’d like to try something else.
Does the eau de cologne Imperiale in my gym bag count?
It sure does! Do let us know what you decide to put in for fall — lots of yummy choices out there to pick from.
I always keep a decant of the vintage Bal PdT in my purse, that is the only one that has a permanent place in my purse. I’m happy that I did get that Amouage decant set that has 12 Amouage offerings because I am currently carrying around Beloved and Jubilation.
Oh, a decant set of Amouage sounds very cool! Especially Beloved, which I love, too. Enjoy!
Guerlain Mon Exclusif always is with me and my Killian travel spray of Voulez-Vouz…. I just ordered a travel spray for Iris Silver Mist from Lutens. That will go with me on all my travels.
You’ll have lovely scent companions on your travels. But can’t believe I’ve not tried the Mon Exclusif. How would you describe it?
The Different Co. Bergamote lives in my bag- a pick me up that blends nicely with many perfumes applied in the morning. MFK a la Rose for out with my sweetheart, Uncle Serge Bas de Soie for a change and Killian Bamboo harmony because its rolling around in the bag! I love the idea of a change purse to organize them in. I also have to get my mitts on the Lei perfume oil. Glad your anniversary was full of love and stinks ?
Great range of scents there, Sarah! You’re well-scented for any occasion, event or weather. Thanks!
I usually don’t carry perfume in my purse, but recently decided to order a rollerball of Oneself Hawaiian Flower Lei Perfume Oil for just that purpose. It’s not a complicated scent but it is pretty and good year-round. In cool/cold weather, it makes me think of warmth and fun and laughter!
Oh, perfect, Maya! That is exactly what perfume should do for us. Sounds like you’ll have a little sniff of happiness with you wherever you go!
I tend to only carry samples that I have extras of on hand, in case I lose it or it leaks (even inside its Ziploc) — right now, that means Ciel de GUM, Mitsouko (just the EDT — I keep the vintage parfum at home for special occasions), and Chanel No 19.
Hi, Heidi! That is smart thinking; after all, you’d be crying up a storm if your only little bit of Preciousss was lost or leaked in your purse. BTW, so glad you’re still enjoying the Ciel de GUM! I need to get my little bit out and wear it one of those cooler nights.
Still in love with the Ciel de GUM! I also just got a 5ml decant of Cuir Beluga during the Guerlain sale at STC and love it too — they’re both so snuggly!
Yes yes, Heidi — that Cuir Beluga is beautifully cuddly and warm!
I think I may have said this here before, but a repurposed coin purse is perfect for this. I usually put a couple of the ubiquitous face soap or lotion sample packets in one side, and 3-4 perfume samples in the other. It snaps shut tightly, too. Right now it’s le labo vetiver, Eau d d’Hadrien and amoreuse in case 3 wildly different random moods strike…
Yes, that’s an excellent idea! The items also have a little bit of padding/protection as well. And you are well-covered for any occasion with your choices.
Right now, I have decants of Dilettante, Shangri La, Sycamore and a traveller of Ambre Narguile (that one’s for my man).
I don’t really reapply at work but carry these as my night-timers after the SFW pretties for the daytime.
Great choices there, Gigi! I really like everything Hiram Green has done. BTW, that’s nice of you to keep something on hand for your guy — I’d like to smell AN on a man sometime.
I really have to limit how much stuff I toss in my small purse so am constantly removing lipstick, cuticle balms, and perfume and hauling them back upstairs. I do, however, allow myself to keep my decant of L’air de Rien and one or two other small samples. Right now I’m toting my rollerball of Stash, AA Herba Fresca (because it’s still HOT in Texas in October), and Coromandel.
Oh, I just checked and Hummingbird and Au Dela seem to have snuck in there too.
That’s a good idea, keeping at least one staple on hand with you. And I love Coromandel and Herba Fresca, too. BTW, what do you think of the Stash? I want to re-try it on a chilly day. Here’s hoping some cooler fall temps are headed your way!
Yep, isn’t it funny how a few sneaky little extras seem to slip in there? 😉
Turns out I really like Stash. I thought it was a bit meh to begin with; like nice base notes with no top and no complexity. But, I kept going back to Ulta for one more sniff, then a rollerball (because they’re preacically free, right?), and I’m considering a bigger bottle eventually. It has the great advantages of not bothering me when my allergies are bad as well as not overwhelming me in the heat. Also, it lasts very well but fades into the background and doesn’t get on my nerves.
I don’t carry any perfume in my purse. I spray copiously before I walk out the door and that has to last. Normally I don’t buy anything that doesn’t last at least 6-8 hours.
Easy peasy, Tara! And no worries about spills ruining your purse. But what do you wear in summer, as most lighter-weight scents don’t last all that long?
Le Labo Ylang 49 and MDCI Nuits Andalouses last pretty well, also Goutal Songes. But if it burns off, it burns off. 🙂
Good ones, Tara! And if/when they burn off, then you can play with something else later that day.