Spring EBP

EBP
Oh, look, it’s that time again! 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 stands for 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 emergency backup perfume, I’m in exploratory/testing mode, carrying around decants/samples of Amouage Bracken Woman, Frederic Malle Superstitious, and Hiram Green’s Arbole Arbole. Plus, I’m even trying a body products or two, including a sample of Diptyque’s Do Son body lotion. This is a soft, wearable tuberose, not at all in your face, and very pretty.

What about you? Do have a peek at the bottoms of your purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc., and share your emergency backup perfume: 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 (a plastic-lined makeup bag would do nicely) 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.

  • otamom says:

    I keep Pacifica rollerballs in my purse–they’re travel handy and stand up to a fair amount of abuse. And if they were to get broken, I am not out $. Right now I have Malibu Lemon in my purse and Blood Orange in my office desk drawer.

    • Ann says:

      Oh, those are perfect, Otamom! Pacifica’s stuff is great — a very sweet perfume pal sent me some of their goodies a while back and I’ve been enjoying the line ever since.

  • Ann says:

    Oh, dear, Ingeborg, so sorry Old Man Winter isn’t quite finished with you yet. But soon, I hope! So probably a good idea to keep the Seville at hand a while longer. I’m pulling out my Pamplelune very soon, too.

  • Ingeborg says:

    I have an assorted collection of samples now in my bag and in my small backpack. Two that come to mind are Zoologist Panda and D’Orsay Tilleul. Very suitable for spring weather. I have also put some AA Pamplelune in a Travalo to make it easier to use it at work. Since it is snowing (again!) I think it would be good to put some of the warmer Seville a l’aube in a purse spray for the coming week or two, it worked very well during Easter.

  • Eldarwen22 says:

    Just cleaned out my purse and don’t really remember what kind of EBP’s that I had in there. I did have some L’Heure Bleue though. I’m still figuring out which ones that I should put in there.

    • Ann says:

      Hey, good for you for cleaning out your purse! I SO need to do that; got enough receipts, notes, paper scraps to fill up a fireplace, ha! Poke around in your collection and maybe see what makes you feel good this spring. Is it fully spring up where you are?

  • Musette says:

    how are you liking the Bracken Woman? I adore it – and I was surprised to do so, since it’s very weedy/ferny, which can go sour on me. But this one stays more ‘flowers on the forest floor’, which is delightful!

    I don’t have any dedicated EBPs, just ‘stuff I always have in my case’. At least, I don’t think I do – The Usual Suspects (vintage No5, vintage Gold, 1932). But then….why do I have a little vial of Hiram Green’s Debutante? Maybe that’s my EBP?

    heh.

    xoxoxoA

    • Ann says:

      HIya, doll! Yep, you’ve got lots of EBPs going on there, just maybe not all in your purse. 😉 I like the Bracken more than I thought I would; I’m enjoying dabbing it, but I think a spray might be too overpowering on me. Like Superstitious, a little goes a long way on me. BTW, hope you are feeling pretty much back to normal.

  • Mals86 says:

    In warmer weather I carry a decant of Mary Greenwell Plum as well as a small one of Henry Dunay Sabi, a gift from a perfume friend. Then there’s always Eau Premiere and Iris Poudre, both of which are relatively seasonless.

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, Mals! So nice to see you. Hope you guys are doing well. My eyes lit up when you mentioned the MG Plum — it’s been a while for me and now I’m craving it and have to dig up mine. Love your other choices too. BTW, have you tried that new version of No. 5? I wasn’t crazy about it at first, but it’s grown on me.

  • solanace says:

    Lush tins: Lust, Kharma and Vanillary.

    • Ann says:

      Love me some Lush, too, Solanace! And those tins are off-the-charts cute and handy, aren’t they? I remember getting several compliments on a swipe of Karma I wore awhile back. Enjoy!

  • Stephanie says:

    I’m keeping a rollerball of YSL Manifesto and one of SJP’s Stash in my purse right now. Not very exciting choices but they work for me.

    • Ann says:

      Stephanie, I like both of those and between them you’re covered for almost any situation. I need to get some Stash and play around with mixing/matching, as that’s always fun and it’s a great base scent to do that with, as well as being cool on its own.

  • leenie2 says:

    My EBP for spring (although I don’t carry it around, but if I’m flailing) is Hinoki by Comme des Garcons x Monocle. If I had that vintage Rive Gauche, it would be that. The newer version is not thesame.

    • Ann says:

      Amen, Leenie! The vintage is the best, but in a pinch, at least on my skin, I can sort of get my RG fix, although it isn’t nearly as good. Don’t jones for it often, as my mom wore it a lot and have a mixed feelings about it. Haven’t worn Hinoki in ages so need to try it again.

  • HeidiC says:

    I was just circulating out my EBPs — took out my winter samples and put a few new ones into my bag: Hiram Green Dilettante, FM’s Parfum de Therese, and SL’s Fleurs d’Oranger, though I think the latter is out.

    • Ann says:

      Hiya, Heidi! Great choices there (I do love Hiram Green — all his scents are winners in my book)! But I tend to go for SL’s Fleur de Citronnier instead, as my skin amps the cumin in the Oranger waaay too much. But I bet it smells wonderful on you!

  • monika says:

    I, too, am looking for a backup. Curious of your thoughts on the Do Son body lotion and perfume. Long lasting? I ordered Superstitious and was SUPER excited to receive it, but once I had it, realized it’s too heavy for the hot, humid climate I live in (south Florida). I love and want a lovely floral (I adore FM Carnal Flower), and I adore aldehydes, but Superstitious regrettably didn’t work for me. I’ll stick with Carnal Flower for now, but never get comments from anyone when I wear it. No one, even my husband, can smell it on me. That’s an expensive fragrance to wear daily for just my own olfactory pleasure! Hence my interest in Do Son, which is much less expensive. It’s not available in my stores, so I haven’t smelled it, but can obviously buy it online. I’ve tried the Jo Malone fragrances, but they too disappear in a flash. I have Creed Tubereuse Indiana, and don’t love it like the FM Carnal Flower. Maybe I need to go to my old faithful, Rive Gauche. The longevity was great on me, and I got compliments galore. Any thoughts?

    • Ann says:

      Oh, man, Monika, you threw me happily into the wayback machine with your mention of Rive Gauche. Great stuff, and if it garners you compliments, I say “Full steam ahead!” with it. The Do Son wears moderately on me, and of course, the lotion even more moderately. But it’s a great office scent. Surrender to Chance has samples of both, so might be worth a try. BTW, have you thought about saving your Superstitious for that rare cold date night? Or take when you travel to chillier climes; you might like it more for a night out on the town then, say in NYC or Chicago, etc.

  • Caroline says:

    Really never tote perfume around…either spray at home, or oh well! Occasionally will bring travel sprays on trips, but other times don’t bother & expect to try new things. Thought of you the other day, Ann, when I noticed that Nordstrom carries the Aerin Honeysuckle bar soap–may give it a shot. Do you like Superstitious?

    • Ann says:

      Hi, Caroline! Mmm, I’ve had my eye on that soap, too — bet it’s lovely. I thought about getting one and slicing it up in thick-ish slices and sharing it with other fans; you know, share the love! I am grooving on Superstitious but so far have only tried it dabbed. Thinking a spray might be too much for lil ‘ol me. It’s cool, kinda different with a dark, slightly sexy undertone to it. Do try it when you get the chance — or maybe you already have? Would love to hear what you think of it.