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Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness has nailed the art of feeling comfortable at 30,000 feet. One fifth of the Fab Five, the show’s resident groomer has spent the better part of this year captivating Netflix audiences around the world with his magnetic blend of charisma, honesty, humor, and truly fantastic hair—and racking up air miles and taking over everywhere from Kansas City to Yass, Australia. Now, the hairstylist is dipping his toe into the comedy circuit, teaming up with Hotels.com for a ten-night stand-up tour around the U.S. throughout the fall. It will all be turned into a four-episode, behind-the-scenes web series debuting in November dubbed “Hotels.comedy Presents: 10 Nights with Jonathan Van Ness” that promises, among other things, late-night hotel room confessionals. We caught up with Van Ness just before his New York show to talk skincare and carry-on essentials, the highs (and lows) of group travel, and why seeing the world can bring out the best parts of yourself.
Talk us through your in-flight beauty routine.
I always have Wet Ones in my bag so that I can do a once-over of my tray table, and then take care of my hands with hand sanitizer. I mean, who actually trusts the water in an airplane? I also use a facial toner followed by a facial mist (I have lots of different ones) to keep my skin hydrated, and then apply serum and moisturizer. Oh, and if it’s a long flight, I’ll do eye pads over my eye cream.
What about your travel uniform?
Honestly, I’m kind of all over the map. It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that I’ll throw on a pair of heels to go to the airport if I’m feeling a little down and need a pick me up. If I’m trying to blend in, I might go for a dark sweatsuit, hat, and sunglasses—although I’ve realized lately that the more I try to blend in, the more I stick out! It really depends on my mood.
Carry-on essentials?
I have to travel with chargers, my iPad, and a dopp kit filled with all my grooming essentials. When you’re on a plane all the time, you can board feeling gorgeous and then come off and just be like, “Ugh.” I’ve learned how to stay feeling great [on a plane] because I really am all about taking care of myself during the flight.
What do you look for in a hotel? What are the little details that make a place great?
Having gorgeous self-care stuff available when you first walk into the space you’re staying in is amazing. Yoga is nice, or a little treat in your room that you don’t have to pay for. It doesn’t have to be super expensive: I went to Hawaii last summer and my room had a bowl of lychees and some sparkling water to welcome me, which I loved.
Group travel can be tough. What’s it like being on the road with the rest of the Fab Five all the time?
It's actually been really lovely. It’s given us so many memories and inside jokes, and we know much more about what each other is going through. Traveling together, whether it’s with family or friends, takes you to a different level. That said, it’s not like we all stay in the same apartment. If you’re over the age of 18—and it’s possible for you financially—always book that second hotel room. Sharing a room forces you to get to know someone too well. I would not love the Fab Five as much as I do if we were all sharing hotel rooms. It’s really important to have your own space.
You’ll be touring all around the U.S. this fall. Where are you most excited to stop?
I’ve never been to Seattle so I’m super excited about that. Growing up, I was such a fan of stand-up comedy, but it wasn’t until Queer Eye came along that I was like “Wait, maybe I can do this. I’m always cheering other people on, so let me just try.” I haven’t been obsessed with learning a new craft like this since I really got into doing hair in my teens, and traveling for this tour is a whole new way to connect with people; to entertain and make them feel good.
Do you think travel can be its own form of self-care?
I travel to see the people I really enjoy spending time with, and to stay connected to parts of myself that I really like. It’s especially the case with New York. I didn’t come here until I was 29—the idea of of New York always felt kind of overwhelming to me—but any fear I had when I arrived for the first time was so eclipsed by the love that I had for the city. If you love being in new places and meeting new people, traveling as self-care keeps you connected to all these different parts of yourself that you love. It makes you feel alive.