Whether you have seen Jonathan Van Ness on Netflix Queer Eye or have turned on their podcast Becoming curious with Jonathan Van Ness – everyone knows one thing about the temperamental star: he has fabulous hair.
Jonathan Van Ness began his career as a hairdresser in salons and has remained true to his passion for hair care throughout his career. Founded in 2021, JVN Hair is a company driven by inclusivity and innovation in the beauty industry and aims to serve all hair types and textures. The product line encourages users to maintain their natural style and, most importantly, prioritize hair health.
We sat down with Jonathan Van Ness to talk about hair philosophies, favorite JVN hair products, and her popular lazy hairstyle.
Watch the video below.
Below, Jonathan Van Ness delves deeper into the magic of hemisqualane, regrettable hair eras, and the importance of inclusivity in the hair care industry.
Q: What are some of the benefits of hemisqualane?
JVN: “Hemisqualane is a cool molecule because it’s so small, no matter what texture or condition you have – the molecule can penetrate the hair shaft and work from the inside out, improving integrity, softness, shine, manageability and conditioning. The hemisqualane we use comes from fermented sugar, so not shark liver, but fermented sugar – which I think is really cool and more humane.”
Which product formula from your line are you most proud of?
“I’m very proud of the entire line, but my favorite products are Pre-Wash Scalp Oil, Air Dry Cream, and our Embody Shampoo and Conditioner. Our Embody Shampoo and Conditioner was designed for people who have wavy, curly, frizzy, and coily hair and couldn’t use a volumizer because it just dried out the hair and left it feeling frizzy and looking dry. I wanted to create a volumizing shampoo and conditioner that would leave hair soft and strong, but also bigger and fuller. We did that by combining aloe leaf juice, a lightweight moisturizer, with bamboo, which is rich in silica and absorbs excess oil—so the hair stands up fuller, so to speak. The formula also contains caffeine, which stimulates the hair follicles, literally creating more volume by making the hair stand up straight. I’m just really proud that it doesn’t dry out the hair and gives it more body and fullness.”
What inspired you to start JVN Hair?
“I’ve been a hairdresser since I was 18 and I’ve always loved going to the salon. I’ve always loved doing other people’s hair. All of my fondest childhood memories are from going to the hairdressers with my mom and I think I found myself in salons and salon culture. I wouldn’t be here without the hair care industry and that happened before JVN Hair, that happened when I fell in love with hair. I think I’ve also seen how the beauty industry can make people feel very included or really excluded and so I wanted to create a community where everyone feels included to come, play and be celebrated. Whether you’re completely embracing your natural hair or completely transforming your natural hair, I want you to have the tools and education you need to achieve the hair goals you want.”
Which hairstyle era do you regret the most?
“Definitely when I had ketchup and mustard highlights.”
What significance does sustainability have for your brand?
“I think sustainability is a big part of who we are. I always thought synthetic was a bad, dirty word, but synthetic is incredible because it can be sustainable. We make our hemisqualane from fermented sugars found in shark liver. Using hemisqualane from fermented sugar cane makes it infinitely more abundant and sustainable than getting it from sharks. We also prefer aluminum because it’s more recyclable, and the plastic we have to use in our pumps and lids is PCR recycled plastic made from post-consumer waste. We’re always looking for ways to innovate and be less reliant on virgin plastic. We’re launching a new product this year that we’re excited about, but I don’t want to make products just for the sake of making products. I want there to be a reason for it.”
Why is inclusivity so important when developing a hair care brand?
“Inclusivity is so important to us at JVN Hair. I think that’s something we work on through our formulations – we make sure they work for all hair types, whether you have 1A or 4C. Pre-Wash Scalp Oil has its place in everyone’s routine and our Air Dry Cream is suitable for all hair types, as is Instant Recovery Serum and Complete Conditioning Mist. I feel like sometimes people don’t believe me when I say a product is universally effective, but formulating products that work for all hair types is our priority. We also make it a point to be as inclusive as possible when casting for campaigns. I think that’s something that anyone, any brand, could probably always find ways to do better. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and I’m excited that we’re getting the opportunity to continue to grow.”
Shop JVN Hair products below.
