What’s your EBP? Spring edition

emergency EBPHello, dear Posse folks! And happy spring (to those of you in the Northern Hemisphere)! 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 (or at least some of us) are heading into spring, it’s time to share our current fragrances.

As for me and my emergency backup perfume, in these uncertain times, I’ve been reaching heavily for fragrances that are beautiful and uplifting. Scents that are in my rotation right now include Guerlain’s Joyeuse Tubereuse (just gorgeous and not overpowering — this could be perfect for those of you who shy away from tuberose). Also Frederic Malle’s Carnal Flower — a bit sexy, I know, but just so darned pretty; the bubbly sunshine in a bottle that is Le Labo Tubereuse 40, and Christian Dior’s New Look 1947, for feeling pretty and elegant, even when I’m home all day in holey jeans and scruffy shirts (my retail gig has shut down — just temporarily — I hope).

And as always — a word of caution: I always 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 frightened of leakage. Having once had the lining of a handbag stained this way, that’s one fragrance emergency I’m not eager to repeat. And it is nice to have your scent choices all together and see them at a glance, instead of spread out all hither and yon in the bottom of your purse, which is what I used to do, before said accident.

Have a great week, stay calm and smell beautiful!

  • Ingeborg says:

    I picked up my travel spray of Clementine Calfornia at the same time I collected other stuff from my office on March 14.There’s usually a travel spray or some samples in my handbag on normal days. We are all working from home now due to the virus spreading so rapidly. I have used other scents the past week than what I would usually do in the office. Citrus yes, but also Ostara, Theorema and others.

  • Musette says:

    whereas I, the Squirrely One, have about 23 samples floating around in my bag at any given time! Always vinty No5, of course…but there’s also a teeny little vial of Amouage attar in there as well as a Carnal Flower purse spray….. my makeup bag is like the inside of my mind! 😉
    xoxoxo

  • Amateur Dilettante says:

    I have an EBP stash in my desk drawer at work. I rotate things in and out seasonally but haven’t needed to this spring. I have little decants of Jicky, Chamade, Silences, CDG Kyoto,Tauer Sotto la Luna Tubereuse and Au Coeur du Desert, L’Artisan Mechant Loup, and Mohur Extrait. That seems to cover just about any perfume emergency in which I might find myself.
    My state just ordered Shelter in place starting tomorrow, but I guess I’ll still be schlepping into the office as I work in an essential business. I hope all of you can stay healthy and not get too bored!

  • Gina T. says:

    I do not not do this. I put on in the morning. If it’s gone by the time I get home, I wear something else in the evening. I don’t carry them with me in my purse.

    • taxi says:

      Same here.
      I do take 3-4 sample-size spritzers if I’m leaving town for a couple of days. Which get used depends on the weather & vibe when I get there.

    • matty1649 says:

      I do the same as Gina T. I do keep my samples in a make up bag at home.