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 heading toward a new season, it’s high time to sniff some fragrant transitions.
As for me and my emergency backup perfume, I’m only slightly in exploratory/testing mode, carrying around decants/samples of a very few things: Guerlain’s Joyeuse Tubereuse, Chanel’s Gabrielle and Zoologist Panda.
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.
Ha! Here’s my deeply flawed system — if I have a sample made up (usually at Nordstrom) because I want to try it a few times, or maybe review it, it winds up in whatever bag I’m carrying, and I rotate my bags. Anything I hate I’m careful to toss right away. So if I’m having an emergency I just dig around in my bag and probably there’s a sample spray or three in there. The catch: they’re all unlabeled, and I generally have *no idea* what I’m putting on, lol.
LOve it, dear!! It surely keeps things interesting, at the very least!! 😉
I’m in India with Portia, buying sari material and eating curry, so I don’t have too many EBPs.
I am also lying through my teeth. I’m sitting in my LR, going through invoices and writing checks. yay.
I am also ALWAYS carrying vintage No5, vintage Arpege that I got from Surrender to Chance and omg I don’t know how I lived without this beauty, 1932 a phenomenal vintage Amouage Gold that I got from a lovely, generous friend.
I am ALWAYS ‘fumed up! It’s just safer that way 😉
xoxoxo
Halloo, darling!! I’m wishing myself into an India state of mind, too, tee-hee! So cool that you have vintage Amouage Gold — I bet it’s amazing! And is that Chanel’s 1932 you mentioned too? I love it as well but so hard to find anymore, if you know what I mean, grrrrr. Hope you’re doing OK and hanging in there! Hugs to you!
I am always changing purses, so I had to quit carrying perfume around for the most part. I never seem to need it when I am out. But my desk drawer at work contains: Samsara edp, Le Jardin sur le Nil, Y, and Floris Edwardian Bouquet. I guess I could call those my EBPs!
Forgot to add: Donna Karan Black Cashmere!
Hi, lady! Nice choices there! Haven’t sniffed the Floris but I can’t wait for some cool temps to cozy up to Samsara, an oldie but goodie that I’ve loved since back in the day. Have you found the current version to be nice or are you wearing vintage? Enjoy!!
And yes to the DK BC (and Chaos, too) as soon as the temps drop around here!!
I believe the Samsara is vintage…but I’m not 100% certain. It is a nice sandalwood frag. I like the DK for the cedar note.
The Edwardian Bouquet is very floral, probably the 1984 reissue. From Basenotes “…The fragrance was reorchestrated in 1984, and Floris inform us that Edwardian Bouquet is a sumptuous blend of Bergamot, Hyancinth, and Jasmine. A hint of Galbanum blends beautifully with a heart of Orris, Jasmine, and Lily over the exquisite and earthy base of Green Moss, Amber, and Sandalwood.”
I have a good supply of that Floris, if you ever want to try–just let me know. I would be happy to send some to you.
Ann! I want to hear every single one of your thoughts on Gabrielle!!! I really wanted to like Panda, but mostly it smells like a garden/hardware store.
I just swapped mine out — right now I’ve got what’s left of my Ciel de GUM, and Cuir Beluga. And a vial of Bogue’s MEM that I’m still thinking about. Before that I had SL’s Fleurs de Oranger and Armani Prive Iris Celadon. And regardless of season, there’s always a vial of Mitsouko in there.
Hiya, dear Heidi!! I can’t wait to break out my Ciel de Gum and Cuir Beluga again. After a cool spell around Irma’s reign, I was able to go a little fall-ish, but now we’re back to high 80s again, arghhh. I really wanted to love Gabrielle (adore the bottle too!), but ended up liking it so-so-ish. On me, it starts out promising, but slightly less than midway through, it begins veering into what I think of as Chanel Chance territory, like a slightly more sophisticated version of one of the Chance flankers. And I’ve been trying it every which way: different times of day, different temps, etc., but it always ends the same. Sigh. Maybe dead of winter? But hopefully it works well on you. I could see it being a delight on the right person. I think it’s likely that they can’t be too, too daring with a huge mainstream release like that, but many of the Les Exclusives are wonderful and that’s where they can really cut loose, creatively speaking,
I ended up having to go shopping for a black blouse (funeral — I have a summer weight black sheath, and black cashmere sweaters, but nothing for fall), so while I was in Nordstrom I went and sniffed Gabrielle. You’re right — beautiful bottle, but so very meh. I wanted to like it, but it was way too watery and sweet. I think they were going for the sweet, virginal Gabrielle (as opposed to the woman/mistress Coco), but it does nothing for me.
I am in the process of swapping out the decants in my purse. I did have Shalimar and no 19 in there.
Hi!! Would love to know what you end up subbing into your purse. I can’t do Shalimar but your No. 19 is a winner for me, too!
I have decants of Tom Ford Plum Japonais and Chanel Boy as EBP in my purse. I also keep several new STC samples in my work desk drawer so I can experiment while sitting at my desk.
Nice choices there, Kathleen! Haven’t sniffed the TF in ages, but need to do so. And I fell in love with Boy a while back. I’m thinking it would make a nice early fall scent. And lucky you to be in an office where you can wear a bit o’ fragrance!!
I don’t actually have anything in my bag but I have a refillable travel spray of SJP Covet that I ought to put in there. As odd as it is, it works for me and an easy choice. I’m afraid that any vials I put in there would never see the light of day again and would most certainly leak and be wasted (even if in a ziplock!)
Oh, wow!! I remember loving that one (and the funky cool bottle in came in). It kind of reminded me of an old Cartier that I loved. Is it still pretty widely available? Thanks!
Interesting! Nowadays I keep EBPs on me for two purposes: if a stranger wants to know what I’m wearing* and I want to give them a sample to try on their skin (so much fun!) or when I need to road test / sniff something I’m considering buying. At the moment, Knowing (because everyone likes it and few lay people can place it and in my climactic neck of the woods it works in any season) and vials of Chypre Mousse, L’Ombre dans L’eau EDP, and The Afternoon of a Faun because I’m trying to work out what I’m going to buy for myself as a holiday gift this year. Also a gigantic Joop! Homme because I like being able to unnerve my (non-scent sensitive) more intrusive co-workers just by cracking the top off. It clears a room like nothing else and for days after people are very respectful of my space and time.
*I think “emanating” is a better verb choice here and I’d like it to catch on
Oh, Mookie, that is so nice of you!! I’ve often thought of doing that, having an extra vial or two of what I’m wearing, so I could give it to someone who asked about it. Just never seem to get around to it. But it makes for a lovely fragrant act of kindness, yes? Btw, great scent choices and your “repellent” too, ha!!
It is almost time to swap them out for fall. Right now I have a 15ml of Vetiver Tonka stashed in my purse, along with decants of Rahele and Shangri La. Wait a minute, these are alright for autumn too! Maybe Cuir d’Ange will find its way in there as well.
Yes, Gigi — I think you could easily be set for autumn with those great choices!! And I’d forgotten about Shangri-La, so off to find my little dab of it. Enjoy!!
Hey there Ann,
Currently traveling in India so no EBP as such but I did find two fragrances in one of my washbag zips that were a pleasant surprise. Myrrh Casati by MdO and Vaninger by Oliver & Co.
Both fabulous but the Myrrh Casati has got a LOT of wear this break.
Portia xx
Oooh, lucky you! I’ve not sniffed the one, but the MdO was lovely, and rather unusual — and sounds like it would be very fitting for India. Safe and happy travels, dear!!
I keep Pacifica rollerballs (island vanilla and tuscan blood orange) in my purse and D&G the one in my desk drawer at work for EBP
Oh, yes — those are the best! And love a rollerball anytime!!