GHD Professional Ceramic Hair Straighteners Review

Overall Rating

They're ceramic, which is apparently good for your hair, but I am yet to see proof.

The price, the style, the design, pretty much everything.

I have just recieved my very own pair of GHD straighteners. I must admit that at first I was very sceptical. I had many worries, not to mention the hole in my wallet that was left after I ordered them. I felt very un-easy that the only protection fluid you could use was their own £13 and up iron oil.

I had always been happy with my Fransen futura hair straighteners, apart from the fact that they break quite easily and aren't ceramic. But as they're cheaper I put up with them. They always straightened my quite fine and already quite straight hair with absolutely no problems.

But, as I could finally afford GHD's, I decided ceramic was the way to go, and as they were so expensive, they must be good. Not to mention the countless celebrities who swear by them. But, let's face it, most celebrities have an entourage of about 20 just to do their hair so even if they used an actual iron their hair would come out perfect.

But, I did my homework. I read many reviews that said how brilliant they were, how they were worth it and I found it very hard finding a single one that really evaluated the downsides properly.

So, that is why I am giving you my opinion, after just having used (I should say attempted to use) my GHD's for the first time, I can honestly say that all my worries came true. Worse than that, things I didn't worry about, like their actual ability to straighten came true. Within seconds my hair was so static I couldn't even touch it without it bushing out. There were little kinks left at my roots, which I'd never had a problem with with my old ones, and it took so long to straighten my hair that I gave up halfway and switched back to my old ones. Thank God I didn't throw them away!

I've already packed them up and will send them back ASAP. I am so disappointed and slightly embarassed that I spent so much money on them in the first place. The people at GHD headquarters must be laughing at us. They give us this product that is no better than any other straightener, (and I found it was actually worse) and charge us up to £100 for the privilege. I mean, my hair is fine and quite straight anyway, so if I had problems using them then I feel bad for anyone who has thick hair and thinks these will work. If you're looking for a review that will tell you what you want to hear, that they're so amazing that it justifies the cost, you won't find it here.

As for my hair afterwards, it was no better than before. I still had little frizzy bits sticking up all over the place, it wasn't any shinier and despite the fact that I used the oil, my hair was still static in seconds which rarely happened with my old ones.

Don't get my wrong, if you have the patience and are willing to put up with the static then they do their job I guess, but they're are plenty of straighteners out there that do the job just as well and it won't cost you half as much to buy them. As for me, now Fransen Futura have brought out a ceramic version I will stick to my old brand and save myself more disappointments and money!

Members' Comments onOona's Review

• sazz on 17th Mar 2006

  I am a hairdresser and use GHD's also on my own hair. Personally i cannot see any fault with GHD Straightening Irons, with the right protection spray the combination of the 2 are fantastic! I have seen clients hair transform in condition by using the straighteners that are so smooth and do not pull the hair like the ceramic coated straighteners. They even straighten afro carribean hair! I must agree on the price, they are quite expensive but if you buy cheap you buy twice! A good investment and well worth their money!

• CarolineDilley on 27th Jan 2007

  I agree totally agree with this comment. I was told that GHD hair straighteners were good, BUT... they're not!!!