I have a confession to make: I will literally buy anything Jonathan Van Ness aka JVN wants to sell me. The bright, bubbly and always curious hairstylist from Queer Eye has captured hearts all over the world for his bold fashion choices and unwavering cheerleading of those who can’t toot their own horns. And ever since the second I saw their face and heard “can you believe?!” coming out of my TV screen, I was obsessed. So obviously when the famous doyen of all things health and beauty released their very own haircare range, you better believe I was first in line.
JVN Hair is a sustainable brand that combines the best in effective and clean ingredients to “create an innovative, first of its kind haircare collection that celebrates the hair health and uniqueness of each person.” In Australia, it’s available in Sephora.
If you’ve ever watched Queer Eye, you know that Jonathan is a massive fan squalane, a saturated oil that’s used in skin care products as a moisturizer and helps increase hydration.
So it’s no surprise to see a squalane type product as the hero in all of his products here.
JVN formulas are built around patented, award-winning ingredient Hemisqualane, which is created through a bio fermentation process using sustainable sugarcane. This breakthrough molecule is able to penetrate the hair shaft, providing weightless nourishment that helps hair’s manageability while reducing frizz and preserving color.
It’s an effective, clean, superior product to silicone in haircare that adds softness, slip, shine, and bounce to hair without compromising long-term hair health.
Safe to say… I am excited.
My hair type (and associated problems)
I consider my hair my best and worst feature. Best because when I look after it right, it does exactly what I want it to, not much styling needed. Worst, because it throws a hissy fit if I don’t look after it right.
Taking care of my hair involves finding specific shampoos, conditioners and treatments that don’t aggravate a particularly dry and frizzy patch at the back of my locks. I use the wrong ingredient, and it’s game over, frizz 1, Liz 0. I use too much, over. Too little, over. I’ve always been on the look out for a routine that doesn’t make my locks throw a tantrum. Over the years I have gotten close, but never found perfection.
I need products that will hydrate my hair, without silicone, that will defrizz the frizzy bit WITHOUT flattening my naturally wavy hair. It’s a tall ask.
Enter JVN Hair to undergo the Liz Best Test.
My JVN products of choice
There are a few different regimens you can choose from in the range, including the Nurture range for hydration, the Embody range for voluminising ,and the Undamage range to, well, “undamage” your hair.
The best part is you can mix and match the shampoo from one range with the conditioner from another depending on what your hair goals are. I was very impressed with how well the website directs you through to find your ideal product combinations.
Then there are add-on products such as Air Dry Cream, serums, masks and scalp care products to help get your tresses in tip top condition.
I decide to go straight to the Nurture range to try to get rid of my dry, brittle patch of wayward hair. I add on the Air Dry Cream, Nurture Mask and Nourishing Shine Drops.
How did my JVN hair overhaul go?
The first thing I notice about the products is the packaging. Instead of the usual plastic bottles, JVN bottles and tubes are made of aluminum and glass, meaning they are infinitely recyclable. Plus, the aluminum makes it feel really bougie.
The scent of the Nurture range is divine and makes me want to wash my hair way more than normal (I don’t, because you know, hair tantrums). It doesn’t have any of that chemical smell that other products have.
I enjoy the pump bottle mechanism because, again, it feels upmarket and ya girl likes to feel bougie.
I lather, rinse and repeat as per usual, combing the conditioner through my hair after and leaving it for the requisite time.
I rinse out the conditioner and lightly squeeze my hair dry (no vigorous movements, just scrunching and squeezing to get the excess water out).
Then it’s time for the Air Dry Cream, which I rub on my hands and scrunch through my hair, focusing on the ends and trying to maintain my waves. It’s much, much lighter than other no heat styling creams I’ve used. Once it’s done (and it was oh so easy), I twist my hair up into my normal bun and go to sleep.
The next morning the moment of truth arrives. I pull out my elastic and… it’s a miracle. My hair is bouncy, hydrated, full of waves. I am a mermaid. I am a model. I am Linda Evangalista.
I pop in a tiny couple of shine drops and that’s it. I don’t even need to style. My hair just does it’s thing naturally.
The verdict on JVN
I honestly couldn’t be happier with my results. The initial products were gifted to me, but I’ve already gone back into Sephora to stock up TWICE more on my own dime. (Next stop, Embody range!)
I have a feeling the Air Dry Cream itself is now my most recommended product of all time (and I am a Beauty Editor so that is saying something).
The quality is top notch, the sustainability is impressive, the scents are divine and the proof is in my soft, bouncy hair.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
