The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Havana was launched in 2020 by Olivia Larson, the perfumer behind La Fleur by Livvy. The composition begins with Lemon Verbena and Tangerine, an opening built around clarity and brightness rather than a heavy rum-soaked sweetness. That brightness gives the fragrance room to move toward Frangipani and Carnation, where floral fullness takes over without losing its herbal edge. Lemon Verbena contributes a crisp green lift, while Tangerine adds a juicy citrus shine that keeps the opening vivid. Frangipani brings creamy floral fullness, and Carnation adds a softly spiced, powdery texture. As the heart develops, Tobacco and Hay introduce earthy depth, followed by Ambergris, Sandalwood, and Musk for a drydown that feels soft, smooth, and close to the skin.
The unusual part is how naturally Havana holds opposites together. Lemon Verbena and Tangerine bring a clean, green citrus snap, while Hay gives the composition a dry, sun-baked texture beneath the florals. Frangipani and Carnation add creamy and powdered dimensions, and Tobacco grounds both in a dry, aromatic warmth. Ambergris and Sandalwood smooth the edges, while Musk leaves a clean trail. Together, these materials suggest tropical heat without becoming heavy, and tobacco richness without turning into an evening smoke study.
The evolution
The opening arrives with Lemon Verbena and Tangerine, giving Havana a brisk, sunlit edge. It feels airy and herbal at first, but that brightness quickly makes room for Frangipani and Carnation. The heart turns creamy, floral, and lightly powdered, with the green character still threading through like steam rising from warm pavement. Lemon Verbena keeps the citrus accord clean and lively, while Tangerine lends a rounded fruitiness that softens the sharper herbal quality. Frangipani adds generous white floral volume, and Carnation contributes a gently peppered floral depth. Then Tobacco and Hay pull the composition toward earth and leaf. Hay adds a dry, rustic texture; Tobacco gives the drydown a familiar, incense-like depth. Ambergris brings a pearly softness, Sandalwood adds smooth wood, and Musk settles the whole composition close to the skin.
Cultural impact
Havana brings together floral brightness and tobacco dryness in a composition that feels balanced, textured, and free of overtly gendered styling. Its powdery floral register has a classic character, while green and tropical accents add freshness and movement. Lemon Verbena and Tangerine create an inviting opening, followed by the creamy floral pairing of Frangipani and Carnation. Tobacco and Hay introduce a drier, more grounded phase, and Ambergris, Sandalwood, and Musk soften the final impression.
The House
La Fleur by LivvyLa Fleur by Livvy is a small-batch natural perfume house founded in 2013 by self-taught artisan Olivia Larson in Grand Junction, Colorado. The brand specializes in handcrafted fragrances made entirely from natural ingredients, with a signature focus on floral compositions that reflects the founder's deep appreciation for flowers. Over the past decade, the house has developed an extensive catalog spanning more than a dozen distinctive scents, ranging from romantic florals like Fleur d'Innocence and Fleur De Mystere to more complex compositions such as Spicy Surrender and Puck's Potion. Each fragrance emerges from Larson's personal creative vision, developed in her Colorado studio and produced in strictly limited quantities to maintain quality control. The brand operates as an independent, self-distributed perfume house without retail partnerships, connecting with customers primarily through online channels and occasional local appearances in the Grand Junction area. La Fleur by Livvy has gained recognition within natural perfumery circles, particularly for its commitment to botanical ingredients and its founder's journey from curious beginner to established artisan perfumer.
The Creator
Olivia LarsonLarson's style favors clarity and restraint. She gravitates toward natural materials that tell a specific story: resins that feel sun-warmed, florals with genuine botanical weight rather than synthetic brightness.
