JVN Hair Product Reviews With Photos
An Honest Review Of Every JVN Hair Product
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
- Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness founded a hair-care line called JVN.
- The range consists of 12 products, from styling creams to shampoos.
- We reviewed every JVN product to find out which ones are worth the hype.
Jonathan Van Ness has a lot of irons in the fire: they're a beloved member of the "Queer Eye" Fab Five, a touring comedian, a podcast host (and now Netflix show host based on the podcast), a best-selling author, and, of course, founder of the hair-care brand JVN.
The JVN line currently has 12 products that form a complete regimen. The collection is broken up into four categories — Complete, Nurture, Undamage, Embody — and all come in at under $30. What they all have in common is the hero ingredient hemisqualane; according to the brand, the powerhouse patented ingredient is created through a bio fermentation process using sustainable sugarcane. The JVN hemisqualane is able to penetrate the hair shaft, providing weightless nourishment that helps hair's manageability while reducing frizz and preserving colour. Basically, it's a "clean," plant-based version of silicone, which is what adds that softness, slip, and shine to hair.
The entire collection also shares a few other notable callouts. For one, all the products are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified, and all ingredients are ethically sourced — meaning, they specifically choose ingredients where the extraction or usage does not impact the environment. While the packageing is quite good-looking, it's important to note that only the glass or aluminium bottles or tubes can be recycled, while the pumps are made of other materials including PCR plastic. The brand's website gives you a handy recycling guide for each product's packageing.
We're happy to report that unlike some celebrity-founded beauty lines, many of the JVN products live up to their promises. Keep reading to find out which ones we're giving five stars.
JVN Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Let's begin with the shampoo and conditioner sets. First up: the JVN Hydrating Shampoo ($21) and Hydrating Conditioner ($21). This set is my favourite of the three shampoo and conditioner duos. Along with hemisqualane, the shampoo contains aloe leaf juice and panthenol to soften and hydrate, while the conditioner uses camellia seed oil and amino acids to add shine and moisture. After using both of these, my hair really did feel extra soft and smooth; my only gripe with the shampoo is that it takes quite a few pumps to get a good lather.
Rating:
JVN Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner
Next, the JVN Strengthening Shampoo ($21) and JVN Strengthening Conditioner ($21). I love that these two products include ceremides to help strengthen the bonds of hair, just like they do for the skin barrier. I didn't see any immediate effects after one or two washes, but with long-term use, these ingredients can only get better. Plus, it smells really, really good.
Rating:
JVN Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner
I have to say, I've never really understood volumizing shampoos and conditioners — perhaps it's because I have rather fine hair and can only achieve volume through a blow dry and hot tools. So the JVN Volumizing Shampoo ($21) and JVN Volumizing Conditioner ($21) didn't do much for me. That being said, for a thicker or more coarse hair texture, you may find different results.
Rating:
JVN Deep Moisture Mask
The JVN Deep Moisture Mask ($24) is one of my favourite products in the lineup; I truly can't find anything to complain about. I've been using it once every few washes in place of a full shampoo/condition — I leave it on anywhere between three and 10 minutes and have gotten solid results every time. My hair immediately feels so incredibly luscious and soft (due to the rice protein in the formula) and lasts whether I blow dry or air dry. I also prefer this tube packageing over a tub of product for in-shower use.
Rating:
JVN Blowout Styling Milk
The Blowout Styling Milk ($29) is my other favourite product from the collection. As someone who blow-dries their hair and styles with a curling iron every few days, I know the value of heat protection — and I can feel the difference when a product is actually delivering on that protection. This milky cream does just that; it's thin enough that it doesn't weigh my hair down before drying, but thick enough to coat from root to tips with just a pump and a half of product.
Rating:
JVN Air Dry Cream
This is probably a very subjective review of the JVN Air Dry Cream ($26) since it will likely work very differently on different hair textures. For my fine, wavy hair, it was a bit too crunchy. However, it held my curls very well after scrunching while wet through to after brushing out when dry. I have a feeling that for someone with thicker or more course hair, the crunchiness won't be so noticeable. For what it's worth, another editor (who has thicker hair) said this product "left soft, moveable body in my hair that looked completely natural."
Rating:
JVN Conditioning Mist
The JVN Conditioning Mist ($18) doesn't quite apply like a true mist to me. It's actually quite thick when you spray it, which means you have to spritz it into your hands and then work the product through your hair. That being said, it did make my hair feel nice and smooth — however, I prefer the Blowout Styling Milk over this one.
Rating:
JVN Instant Recovery Serum
If I want something a little more hardcore than the Blowout Milk, I turn to the JVN Instant Recovery Serum ($29). It's a little heavier than the milk, but equally as effective at protecting against heat. This product has been my go-to during the summer when my hair is feeling a little more brittle from soaking up the sun and swimming in chlorinated pools. The magic of this product is that it opens up the porosity of your hair's follicles, making all the other products you layer on top of it more effective — this is especially genius for people with colour-treated (read: damaged) hair.
Rating:
JVN Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
I have mixed feelings about the JVN Pre-Wash Scalp Oil ($29). On the one hand, the few times I did use it, my hair felt very soft and supple. However, while the product is effective (and smells nice!), I don't think it's the most practical. You have to apply it 10 to 15 minutes before getting in the shower, which, um, I inevitably forget to do. But if you're into that kind of thing, give the oil a try.
Rating:
JVN Nourishing Shine Drops
The JVN Nourishing Shine Drops ($24) is my least favourite of all the products. Again, this may be highly subjective, because my main issues with it are the smell (which I didn't like) and how it made my fine hair feel (way too slick and oily). I'd guess that on someone who has ultra thick or coarse hair, this would work much better. And who knows, others may love the smell, it's just a bit too sweet for me.
Rating:
