What’s your EBP? Heat of summer edition

EBP
As you all 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 (at least some of us) are at high noon in summer, it’s time to share our current sniffages. (Not sure that’s even a word, but …).

As for me and my current EBP, I’ve been grooving on summer staples such as Jean Nate, 4711, Chanel Eau de Cologne, Le Labo’s Tubereuse 40 (thanks, Surrender to Chance for restocking this beauty), and for something a little different to shake things up: Hermes Iris Ukiyoe. I know some aren’t crazy about it, but to my nose, it’s got a friendly, almost-candied vibe to it that’s refreshing when you want a break from the usual citrus suspects. And it works well in a range of temperatures, although not so much in the deep freeze (not that we have to worry about that here for quite a while, ha!).

What about you? Do take a look-see 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, I know, I know — I’m preaching to the choir — 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.

Have a great week, everyone, and stay cool (or warm, as the case may be for you folks way down South)!

  • AnnieA says:

    Lookee here, I have a sample of Iris Poudre! My, how classy…

  • Jennifer S says:

    Keep meaning to look for that 4711 as I keep hearing how popular it is! I kept tossing my samples in my purse and yep….there they all are, sitting in a big pile on the bottom. I’m reining them in as we speak lol. I’ve always enjoyed the coolness of Baiser Vole in the mugginess of summer.

  • M says:

    My EPB is ScentStory’s 24 Gold. When I’m too stressed to decide what to wear or need extra “oomph”, 24 Gold gets me through. And I always carry a decant.

  • Carolyn says:

    I am living through a hot Montreal summer with Guerlain’s Mandarine Basilic, my sticky, humid, icky weather go-to.

  • March says:

    Hehe I have a whole slew of samples in my top center desk drawer at work, they fit nicely in those grooves where your pencils are supposed to go. Those and lipsticks. 🙂

  • DinaC says:

    Woohoo! I actually have a sample in my purse, so I can participate this time! 😀 I’m carrying around Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Basilico & Fellini, which is a great summer scent. It’s unisex, very basil-y, and bright green in feeling. It’s also got fig, hay, vetiver, dragon fruit, and a tiny bit of powdery violet. Got my sample at Arielle Shoshana in Fairfax, VA, my new favorite perfume boutique in my area.

    • hczerwiec says:

      Basil is the unicorn I’ve been chasing in perfume — I’ve never found a really basil-y perfume. I’ll have to try this!

  • Stephanie says:

    I have samples of Grandiflora Queen of the Night, Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, and Diptyque L’eau de L’eau in my purse currently. I’m really favoring jasmine this summer—something about the Grandiflora in particular is *perfect* for heat waves. Not too indolic, the fragrance glows in an almost luminescent way.

  • Tatiana says:

    Bulgari Omnia Crystalline and Eau Parfumeé Thé Vert, Chanel Cristalle, No. 19 and Hermes Eau des Merveilles.

  • MikasMinion says:

    I’ve been toting about You or Someone Like You and Dame Gardenia lately, but I see that my little sprayer of First Cut is showing the most use this hot summer.

  • shiva-woman says:

    I’m in a cantaloupe vanilla mood. I’ve been wearing Providence Vanilla, an all natural, thoughtful edp, light, sheer, and “melony.” It doesn’t last long, is not particularly heavy, but it’s light years away from the woodsy vanillas, caramel vanillas, dessert style heavy vanillas. This is hot summer vanilla to me, cooling and refreshing.

  • tiffanie says:

    Yes to 4711! I have a splash bottle in my fridge and a spray decant in my purse at all times. A few years ago I did a side by side sniff of 4711 and Chanel’s Eau de Cologne. I adore them both and could hardly tell them apart by smell. Chanel’s cologne may be a bit smoother, 4711 a bit more brisk. So for the huge difference in price per milliliter I’ll take 4711 every time, at least until my ship full of money comes in at last.

    I’m in love with Iris Ukiyoe for summer too. It is calmly refreshing and a world away from traditional cologne. For a delicious citrus I often wear Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat. It’s the juice and the zest and a bit of the pith with a faint trace of sweetness, as if Guerlain made the most delicious pitcher of cold lemonade, then added a single lemon drop candy to the full glass you’re about to drink. It’s all top notes though, so it disappears in less than an hour. Which is fine by me because then it’s time to spritz again.

  • Cecilia says:

    I have a full size bottle (1.7 Oz) of my beloved Chanel Cristalle edp in my purse right now. I don’t want to be without it. ?

  • cheryl says:

    One more thing about 4711. They have cologne tissues like a wipe in foil packages, a small 1.7oz bottle and a stick. Two out of the three are great to carry in your purse and the small bottle has a good screw-top. All are on Amazon.

  • Kathleen says:

    I have a Ziploc bag of random sample vials from a Sephora gift pack and other gift with purchase samples. I typically don’t wear massmarketed department store fragrances; however, I am slowly working through these samples in case I find something I enjoy. So far I’ve liked the new J’Adore and Dior Poison Girl.

  • hczerwiec says:

    I’ve been on a weird Rive Gauche kick lately, and I’ve also been enjoying Scherrer No 1 — icy green and bitter.

  • cheryl says:

    Yes yes Yes!! I think I mentioned it in another post. It is just so darn refreshing. Huge bottles are available and my husband uses it too. I and we lived in Germany for a long time and got hooked.
    and it’s not expensive!!