Chaos Fragrances / Head to head
Artisan Pure vs. Artisan Blu
Which should you buy?
Choose John Varvatos Artisan Pure if citrus and woods are your starting point. Choose Artisan Blu if you prefer citrus with an herbal, aromatic direction. Both belong on a fresh-fragrance shortlist, and both featured FragranceNet bottles contain 125 ml.
Pure gets our first sample for a citrus-led preference; Blu gets it for someone drawn to basil, lavender and woods. These two can fill similar everyday roles. Let the scent you enjoy wearing decide which one earns a place on your shelf.
Find your pick
John Varvatos Artisan Pure
Citrus. Ginger. Woods.
Shop Pure Check price at FragranceNetJohn Varvatos Artisan Pure and Artisan Blu Eau de Toilette. Featured FragranceNet options: standard 125 ml / 4.2 oz sprays for both.
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Citrus and woods, or citrus and herbs?
The better bottle is the one that fits your taste. Here’s where we’d start.
Pure
- Citrus notes are a regular favorite
- You want a fresh option for daytime plans
- A woody citrus direction appeals more than an herbal focus
Blu
- You enjoy herbal and aromatic fragrances
- Basil and lavender sound appealing alongside citrus
- You want a fresh option with a woody base
The differences that matter.
Our editorial comparison of character, wearability and the buying decision.
| The detail | Pure | Blu |
|---|---|---|
| Our starting recommendation | For citrus-led preferences | For herbal, aromatic preferences |
| Brand scent description | Woody citrus | Aromatic citrus |
| Selected retailer scent cues | Citrus, petitgrain, ginger and woods | Basil, lavender, citrus and woods |
| Fragrance designation | Artisan Pure · Eau de Toilette | Artisan Blu · Eau de Toilette |
| Featured standard bottle | 125 ml / 4.2 oz | 125 ml / 4.2 oz |
| Featured retailer | FragranceNet | FragranceNet |
Freshness takes two different directions.
John Varvatos describes Pure as a woody citrus fragrance and Blu as an aromatic citrus fragrance. FragranceNet’s note listings give that distinction more detail: Pure pairs several citrus notes with petitgrain, ginger and woods, while Blu brings basil and lavender alongside bergamot, orange blossom and a woody base.
John Varvatos Artisan Pure
Pure would be our first sample for someone who wants citrus at the center of an everyday fragrance. Consider it for casual lunches, time away or a workday when a citrus-and-woods direction sounds like the right fit.
The tradeoff The citrus opening is only part of the decision. Give the later scent time, especially if you usually enjoy a more herbal fragrance. Try Blu alongside it before choosing a full bottle.
Selected scent cues from FragranceNet’s Artisan Pure listing. Brand sources ↓
John Varvatos Artisan Blu
Blu would be our first sample for someone who enjoys herbal notes within a fresh fragrance. Its aromatic direction makes it worth considering for an everyday bottle that can accompany a casual outfit or a more put-together daytime look.
The tradeoff Start with Pure if bright citrus is the main attraction. Blu’s blue bottle and seaside inspiration do not tell the whole scent story; basil, lavender and the woody base are useful cues when deciding whether to sample it.
Selected scent cues from FragranceNet’s Artisan Blu listing. Brand sources ↓
Where will you wear it?
Use these as starting points. Your preferences and application matter most.
A casual day out
Start with Pure for citrusPure would be our first sample if citrus is what you want to reach for before a relaxed lunch or a day away. Choose Blu first if your usual favorites take a more herbal direction.
Your everyday work fragrance
Try Blu for an aromatic styleWe would begin with Blu for someone who likes aromatic fragrances with an everyday outfit. Apply with your workplace and shared spaces in mind; either scent can be a good fit when you enjoy wearing it.
A warm-weather rotation
Keep both on the shortlistBoth are sensible directions to sample for warmer days. Choose Pure if citrus is your priority and Blu if herbs are the draw. Test in the conditions where you plan to wear your bottle.
You already own one
Decide whether you need varietyTheir everyday roles can overlap. Sample the other fragrance before buying and ask whether you would actually alternate between them. A different name and bottle are not reasons on their own to own both.
Which one works through your day?
Both fragrances are Eau de Toilette. That shared designation does not establish equal longevity or projection. Try similar applications on separate days and check the scent at the moments that matter to your routine. Choose based on the stages you enjoy and how often you would want to reapply.
Found your signature?
Buy Artisan Pure if citrus and woods sound like your everyday choice. Buy Artisan Blu if you prefer an herbal, aromatic direction with citrus. Both featured bottles are standard 125 ml EDTs; compare the final offers and shop the one that best matches your taste.
John Varvatos Artisan Pure
Citrus. Ginger. Woods.
Shop Pure Check price at FragranceNetShop John Varvatos Artisan Pure EDT at FragranceNet. The featured option is the standard 125 ml / 4.2 oz spray. Match Artisan Pure, the size and bottle condition before ordering.
See fragrance & retailer options →
John Varvatos Artisan Blu
Citrus. Herbs. Woods.
Shop Blu Check price at FragranceNetShop John Varvatos Artisan Blu EDT at FragranceNet. The featured option is the standard 125 ml / 4.2 oz spray. Other sizes and tester listings are separate options.
See fragrance & retailer options →Compare the value. The two featured standard bottles each contain 125 ml, so their final totals can be compared directly for equal volume. Include shipping, tax and any applicable coupon terms. If you switch sizes, compare cost per ml and keep bottle condition consistent. Choose the fragrance you expect to reach for most often.
Still deciding?
Should I buy Artisan Pure or Artisan Blu?
Start with Pure if your preference is citrus and woods. Start with Blu if basil, lavender and an aromatic citrus direction appeal more. Both can fill a fresh everyday role, so scent preference is the most useful deciding factor.
Are Artisan Pure and Artisan Blu the same fragrance?
No. Both are John Varvatos Eau de Toilette fragrances, but they have different compositions. The brand describes Pure as woody citrus and Blu as aromatic citrus.
Which one would you choose for warmer weather?
Both belong on a warm-weather shortlist. We would try Pure first for a citrus-led preference and Blu first for an herbal, aromatic preference. Compare them in the conditions where you plan to wear them.
Does Artisan Pure last longer than Artisan Blu?
Neither the shared EDT designation nor the note lists establish a longevity winner. Try similar applications through your usual routine and compare how each develops, including whether you want to reapply.
Is it worth owning both Artisan Pure and Artisan Blu?
It can be if you enjoy switching between their scent directions. Their everyday roles overlap, so sample the second one first and decide whether you would reach for it often enough alongside the bottle you own.
Which bottles do the FragranceNet buttons feature?
Both links feature standard 125 ml / 4.2 oz Eau de Toilette sprays. Match Artisan Pure or Artisan Blu by the full name, then confirm the selected size and condition. Travel sprays, testers and other bottle sizes are separate options.
How this comparison was put together
Overall scent styles follow John Varvatos’s official descriptions. Detailed scent cues and featured bottle formats follow FragranceNet’s listings. Buying and occasion recommendations reflect our editorial interpretation of these scent directions.
We may earn a commission when you buy through shopping links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are subject to change.