Discover Jonathan Van Ness: The Star Behind JVN Hair Care Products
Jonathan Van Ness has captivated audiences as the go-to expert for hair and grooming on Netflix’s Emmy-winning “Queer Eye” since 2018. Earlier this year, they introduced their debut hair care line, JVN. (In a 2021 interview with Cosmopolitan, Van Ness shared their nonbinary identity and pronouns: they/he/she.) The JVN brand is designed for individuals with all hair types and reflects Van Ness’ uplifting philosophy, aiming to build confidence by enhancing and nourishing everyone’s locks. With a focus on inclusivity and self-love, JVN products are a celebration of personal beauty and empowerment.
Real Results: Editors Test JVN Hair Care for Diverse Hair Types
To evaluate the effectiveness of JVN hair care, we assembled a diverse team of eight editors, each with unique hair types ranging from pin-straight to 4A curls, and from thick to thin, long to short, and dry to oily, including both color-treated and natural hair. Over two weeks, they switched their hair care routines to exclusively use JVN products. We prioritized the brand’s bestsellers and essentials, with every editor testing a shampoo and conditioner, the highly praised JVN Complete Air Dry Cream, and the option to incorporate the Pre-Wash Scalp Oil and Complete Conditioning Mist tailored to their individual hair and scalp needs. Continue reading to discover which JVN products are truly worth incorporating into your routine.
Experience the Best: JVN Complete Air Dry Cream Review
The standout product from our testing was undoubtedly the Complete Air Dry Cream, which solidified its status as JVN’s No. 1 bestseller. Sarai Thompson, our social coordinator, labeled the leave-in cream as her “favorite out of all the products” for her 3C/4A curls. She remarked, “[It] gave me hope that I could attempt doing wash-and-gos,” a style she typically avoids due to her hair becoming “dry, frizzy and hard to manage.” However, with the Air Dry Cream, her hair remained moisturized and tamed — a positive outcome echoed by testers across various hair types. This product defined curls beautifully while also providing a smoothing effect for those with straight hair. Notably, a little goes a long way, as all testers initially used too much and found that a smaller amount produced optimal results, ensuring the generous tube lasts longer. About a dime-sized amount sufficed for my waist-length hair.
Achieve Effortless Styles: The Lightweight Formula of JVN Air Dry Cream
The JVN Air Dry Cream provides a soft hold that enhances your hair’s natural texture while facilitating effortless heatless styles like braids or buns. It avoids the crunchiness associated with traditional gels or mousses. Rachel Lubitz, our senior lifestyle editor, noted, “It’s light and buildable, and for my thin waves, it helped keep things non-frizzy, even in 90-plus-degree heat in New York City.” Chelsea Stone, another senior editor, described the cream as a “solid styler” for her 3A curls. She usually opts for curl-specific creams, but found that while this one didn’t define her curls as much as others, it effectively tamed frizz and enhanced shine without creating a crunchy texture.
Effective Solutions for Flyaways and Humidity Control
I also experimented with the cream on my second-day hair, applying just a small amount, massaging it between my fingers, and smoothing it over the top of my hair. This technique effectively controlled flyaways without leaving any visible product residue at my roots, showcasing the cream’s versatility.
Key Ingredients: Enhancing Hair Health with JVN Products
“It provides humidity protection and smoothes all hair types without crunchiness or flakes,” explains Joseph Singh, senior manager of global product strategy and marketing of JVN. He emphasizes the importance of the hero ingredient, hemisqualane, which promotes improved hair health and strength over time. Additionally, the formula contains moringa seed oil, known for its ability to add softness, shine, and luster, coupled with chia seed extract to enhance the natural texture of the hair.
Prioritize Scalp Health with JVN’s Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
With an increasing focus on scalp care — from exfoliating scrubs to detoxifying masks — JVN’s solution for maintaining a healthy scalp is the Pre-Wash Scalp Oil. Formulated with nourishing ingredients such as hemisqualane, rosemary extract, and bisabolol, Singh explains that these components work synergistically to “hydrate and cleanse the scalp,” promoting “stronger, shinier, longer, and healthier-looking hair.”
Transform Your Scalp Care Routine with JVN Scalp Oil
The scalp oil was a true “game-changer” for associate editor Lindsey Smith, who confesses, “Like most people, I’m guilty of ignoring my scalp — but it needs love too! In summer, I experience a super-itchy and dry scalp, and using this product has brought me so much relief.”
How to Tackle Dandruff with JVN Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
I discovered that the pre-wash oil also worked wonders for my dandruff-prone scalp, which I recently learned is actually an oily scalp issue, not solely a dryness problem. Similar to how using an oil cleanser on the face can help balance the skin and prevent overproduction of natural oils, treating an oily scalp with an oil-based product can help alleviate itching and flakes. I applied the oil section by section, using the dropper to target my scalp directly, followed by a gentle massage with a fine-toothed scalp brush, allowing it to sit before washing my hair as usual. “The hardest part about [the Scalp Oil] is letting it rest for 15 minutes, but it’s totally worth it, and my scalp has never felt better,” Smith agrees with me.
Revitalize Your Hair and Scalp with JVN’s Scalp Oil Application
Thompson, who regularly employs scalp oil treatments before washing her hair, noted that “the application [of JVN’s scalp oil] was easy, my scalp felt hydrated and revitalized, and the scent was amazing!” Beyond just benefiting her scalp, she also noticed increased manageability in her hair. “I found that my hair was easy to part and style for my natural looks, which I attribute to the pre-wash oil preventing my scalp from becoming dehydrated,” Thompson shared.
Choose the Right JVN Shampoo and Conditioner for Your Hair Type
JVN offers a trio of shampoos and conditioners, each specifically targeted to address different hair concerns. The product line includes the Nurture Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, Embody Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner, and the Undamage Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner. These products are available separately, allowing you to select one line or mix and match based on your unique hair needs. Furthermore, JVN’s website features a helpful hair quiz that guides you in selecting the most suitable products for your hair type and specific requirements. “With the extensive range of products available on their website, I felt overwhelmed and unsure which product was ‘right’ for me, so [the quiz] made the process quick and easy,” shares senior digital content strategist Stephanie Griffin. “I opted for the Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner based on my results to boost thickness and volume for my naturally straight, thin, and limp hair.”
Enhance Your Hair Routine: Benefits of JVN Shampoo and Conditioner
After using the products, Griffin noted that the conditioner excelled at detangling her hair in the shower, a significant achievement since she usually needs to brush her hair while conditioning due to its tangly nature. She appreciated that both the shampoo and conditioner were formulated with clean, color-safe ingredients, which is essential for her as she colors her blond hair every three to four months and seeks products that maintain brightness between appointments. “While I can’t definitively claim my hair looks fuller or more voluminous, it certainly feels clean and did not strip my color at all,” she remarks. “Notably, one of the key ingredients in the conditioner is biotin, suggesting that with consistent use over an extended period, my hair might indeed appear thicker. However, only time will tell! In the meantime, the prices are very affordable, and I would absolutely repurchase both products.”
Noticeable Softness and Volume After Using JVN Products
Lubitz, who also tried the Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner, experienced a significant transformation in her thin, curly hair. “After just one use, I noticed my hair was softer and much more voluminous throughout the day,” she shares. “It genuinely made my thin, curly hair feel thick. The shampoo is light enough to avoid any buildup issues, even the next day, and the conditioner was sufficiently light to avoid weighing down my curls.”
Enjoy Softness with Every Wash: The Impact of Hemisqualane
Consistent softness was a common result experienced by all testers across the various shampoos and conditioners, largely attributed to the presence of hemisqualane in each product (and the entire JVN line). This key ingredient, derived from sugarcane through a biofermentation process, serves as a silicone alternative. Although silicone isn’t harmful to hair or body, it can lead to buildup. Hemisqualane, on the other hand, aids in enhancing hair strength and shine
Sienna Blake is a licensed aesthetic consultant and beauty writer specializing in cosmetic surgery advancements and non-invasive treatments. With a background in dermatology and over eight years of industry experience, Sienna is passionate about helping people achieve confidence through informed beauty decisions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and regularly collaborates with top plastic surgeons to stay at the forefront of aesthetic innovations. Outside of her work, Sienna enjoys traveling, skincare research, and practicing Pilates.