As you all probably know by now, it’s not some kind of official-speak, as in, “Hey, Joe, what’s your ETA to your next delivery stop?” It’s Emergency Backup Perfume, and it was coined by lovely Posse reader AnnieA on a post 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, sometimes months), we forget to take them all back out again.
Now that summer is in full swing pretty much everywhere (here in the Northern Hemisphere anyway), many of us are feeling the heat. It’s already hit the low 90s here (yikes, that’s not supposed to happen until at least July!), so I’m all about refreshing and cooling.
The EBP goodies I’m toting around now are decants/samples of Chanel’s lovely Eau de Cologne, Frederic Malle’s Cologne Indelible, Coty’s Muguet des Bois from a sweet Posse pal and a sample of Puredistance White. I also can see that some Clinique/Prescriptives Calyx and some Le Labo Tubereuse 40 will be joining the EBPs quite soon. And perhaps a bit of Ramon Monegal’s Pure Mariposa, of which I adore the bright, brilliant opening, but not so much the fig-laden remainder that results on my oddball skin. Still, that opening is enough to risk it, at least a time or two.
So do have a peek at the bottom of your purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc., and share your EBPs: What vials, decants, bottles, etc., are rolling around in there?
As always, a word of caution: I try to keep my EBP stash 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 loosey-goosey in the bottom of your purse, which is what I used to do, before said accident.
it’s winter down here in Australia so the heavy hitters are out. Vials for on the go of Amourage Interlude (Man), L’Artisan Parfumer Dzonghka and Unum Lavs (which I am still undecided about).
Hi Ann,
These are the notes for Mosiac. NOTES: Petitgrain, Bergamot, Oakmoss, Cedarwood, Limestone, Artesian Well. I am not real good at describing scents but Mosiac for me is kind of like pressing your nose to a wet Limestone wall with all those other great notes combined.
It’s very refreshing to me, on my second bottle. I am a huge fan of Josh’s work.
I just looked in my black Sephora bag ( you know the ones they use to give out ) that I take to work. I found a bottle of Imaginary Authors Mosaic, 2 Bond purse sprays ( Scent of Peace and Nuits de Noho ) and a decant of Robert Piguet’s Knightsbridge.
Hi, Tami! I haven’t sniffed those Bonds in a while or the Piguet, but I recall liking them all. Have not tried that Imaginary Authors scent — how would you describe it?
My staple is vintage Bal a Versailles, Courtesan and no 19. But I am none to happy with my dogs, I don’t know who was counter surfing on my dresser counter and knocked over a mostly full lyre bottle of Bal and now it’s mostly empty. I’m looking at another bottle that’s a spray since I’m having no luck with splash/dabber bottles.
Great choices, eldarwen; I’m especially fond of No. 19, too. So sorry to hear about the “accident.” I must admit, though, you made me smile despite the tragedy — I had never heard the term “counter surfing” — too funny. But very, very sad about the bottle. Here’s hoping another one comes your way soon.
I recently bought some samples from STC, and they’re just the right size for slipping into the interior pocket of my purse. They include By Killian Imperial Tea, Annick Goutal I’lle au The, and Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan.
Yes, yes, Dina! Tea for summer — a lady after my own heart!! 🙂 I enjoy two that you’ve mentioned but have yet to sample the Annick Goutal one; a sample is on its way to me as we speak. How do you like it so far? I know Patty really loved it.
L’Artisan Jeux de Peau is perfect for summer. Not too sweet, good longevity and nice sillage. Smells like a freshly pressed white blouse.
Eloquaint, I had forgotten about that one; it would be a treat in summer — must get my decant out and wear it again. Thanks for the reminder!
For the past couple of months I’ve been carrying around a small spray decant of Misia, a sample vial of MFK Une Rose and Chanel No 5 extrait that I sprayed into a vial. Normally I keep a decant of Philosykos with me at all times, too. It’s one of the only perfumes I can wear in all four seasons. I’m curious to see if Misia will be wearable in a Memphis summer. If so, it will help me justify buying a FB!
Hey, Suzy! I sampled Misia in the spring but haven’t tried it in our Southern summer heat. Hope it works well for you. That No. 5 extrait is lovely, isn’t it? (One of the few forms of it I can wear.) If you like Philosykos, you should try a sample of Ramon Monegal’s Pure Mariposa — I get quite a hit of fig out of it in the middle and drydown, but maybe that’s just me, ha!
Thanks for the tip, Ann. Pure Mariposa wasn’t on my radar.
I’m just north of Memphis (Birghton), and I’ve been wearing Misia since our weather turned hot and humid. Might not recommend it for an office setting where one must compensate for high A/C with a heavier application, but I’m finding that one spritz works nicely, and the heat brings out some of the more subtle notes.
Too early in the morning–I live in Brighton (silly fingers!)
Thanks, Sharon — good to know about Misia in the heat. Will try it ASAP!
I have a back-up rollerball or two sitting in the armrest storage compartment in my car. They sometimes come in handy at the end of the day if everything has worn off and I need a scent for an after-work appointment.
Jennie, I’m a rollerball fan, too — they are great for a perfect swipe of fragrance. Just wish I had more of them! I do have several scents that are too, too much when sprayed, so I need to decant them into rollerballs, which would be just right.
I don’t tote around perfumes as I don’t re-spritz and god forbid I accidentally go commando, I just have to live with it all day. I do have a staple in my travel cosmetics case – Chanel No. 5 EDT in purse spray format. So far, I haven’t had a problem with leakage. The EDT is not too in your face and so far had not offended anyone (come to think of it, if it offended anyone, I would pretty just say the equivalent of get over it). Be well, dear Ann.
I also meant to mention that No. 5 EDT works in all seasons for me…I’ve worn it in the Dallas, TX heat in April and in the Berlin cold in December.
Hi, dear — nice to see you! I agree; No. 5 EDT would work beautifully in any weather, if it agrees with your skin. Alas, it doesn’t on mine (I can only do No. 5 pure parfum or Eau Premiere), but I know you smell lovely in the EDT. Hope you are having a great summer so far!
My usual summer EBP is Serge Lutens A la Nuit. It also doesn’t too long so it is perfect for that non-committal spritz. In winter, it usually is Narciso Rodriguez For Her edp. On hot days, I always try to remember to carry a sample of some cologne-y type fragrance, though as I live in the UK, it rarely requires it.
When I read your post, my nose perked up and went “Ooh!” That Serge is lovely, isn’t it? And you’re right, it’s always smart to have a light, colognelike scent with you — never know when it might come in handy!
So far this hot summer I’ve stashed some Trefle Pur as my go-to quick inoffensive spritz as well as the stink-tastic duo of Musc Tonkin and Sonnet XVII for when I’m so hot and smelly I might as well just roll with it. I also have a tester of Eau de Celeri which I’ve been having a serious fling with.
Hi, lady! I love your “when I’m so hot and smelly I might as well just roll with it.” I haven’t tried the Celeri but now guess I’d better get busy and sample it. Is it nearing FB-worthy for you?
I’m pondering a full bottle and certainly moving on to decant. It’s got a nice little bitterness that reminds me of vintage 4711 and O de Lancôme. Very refreshing.
Mmmm … that does sound nice. A little bitterness/bite sometimes is a nice touch. Hope you get a decant soon. For me, a 10ml (or even a 5ml) decant is almost as good as a full bottle these days, as I’d probably never make it through a FB of anything, ha!