Everyone remembers their first hair straightener. Just thinking about it brings me back to my teenage bedroom, the smell of Charlie Red perfume lingering in the air, and the sizzling sound as I ignored all beauty advice and dragged the plates down my damp hair in a rush. The school bus was arriving in five minutes, and I had places to be (notably, first period). While I’ve since learned my hair-care lesson, the iconic hair tool has also come a long way since the original trusty styler.
It’s no secret that I like to experiment with my hair. From adding hair tinsel to giving the “Gemini” hair trend a whirl, I’ll be the first to admit it’s not in the healthiest condition. While it’s easy to add some moisture back in with a weekly hair mask, I know most of the damage comes from the hot tools I use on a daily basis.
In the past few years, my go-to styling routine begins with the critically acclaimed Dyson Air Wrap to dry my hair, brushing it with the smoothing brush attachment, and finishing off with the round brush to add some volume. While it’s a tool that is relatively easy to use, due to my long, thick hair, it can take almost an hour to style, and the machine often overheats. I’ve had it for a while, and I’ve found my hair now has a lot more breakage, probably from all the times my hair has been caught in the attachments.
What I really want in my routine is something that gives me lasting results without having to put my hair under the stress of high temperatures and tangly attachments for an hour straight. So, when I saw that the GHD Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler ($400) promises to transform hair from wet to dry with no thermal hair damage and no need for an additional hair dryer, I knew I had to see if it worked.
About the GHD Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler
- The tool uses a combination of hot airflow and four heated styling plates, which reach a temperature of 302°F.
- The smart styling plates monitor heat every five milliseconds to maintain an optimal low styling temperature.
- The style holds for up to 48 hours.
- It features a shine shot mode for a smooth finish.
What I Like About the GHD Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler
The first thing I noticed about the GHD Duet Style was the size. At first glance, I wondered if it was going to be too heavy to use easily, but it’s surprisingly lightweight. The large plates mean you can section hair into wider chunks, which definitely makes it quicker than if I was just using a standard hair straightener.
The design is sleek and modern, and I loved the simplicity of it. There are only two buttons: one to turn the machine on and one to activate the shine shot, an added feature specifically for styling hair without the drying function.
As the tool is for towel-dried hair, I could use it immediately after a shower, which was a godsend as someone who is always in a rush. With my Dyson Airwrap, I have to use a standard hair dryer to remove 80 percent of the moisture before I can begin styling it, meaning there is still an additional step from wet to styled; although, it did take me a couple of tries to work out the right technique for the GHD Styler. The large plates were leaving a small kink at the root before I figured out the right strand size and position to hold it in. It was also taking longer than I thought to completely dry, but after some practice, I got it down to 15 minutes to finish my whole head.
One huge selling point is the promise of no thermal hair damage. While I’d still recommend using a heat protectant spray, like the Hair Proud 5-in-1 Protection Milk ($9), the research and development experts at GHD state that there was no thermal hair damage detected after four passes in wet-to-style mode compared to naturally dried hair – and I definitely felt this. Testing a heated styling tool in the height of summer isn’t always the best idea, but even when it was 86°F outside, I noticed the cooler temperature this tool uses compared to other ones I own.
The most important thing for me in any styling product is the time-saving aspect. With the GHD Duet Style, not only can I go from sopping wet to styled hair in the time it takes to watch half an episode of “The Office,” the results actually lasted. Even though the tool offers the shine shot functionality, which the brand advises using on second-day hair, I really didn’t need it. My hair stayed stick-straight for at least two to three days after the initial use.
How to Use the GHD Duet Style
After brushing out my towel-dried hair with the Tangle Teezer Wet Detangler Hairbrush ($15), I sectioned my hair into a half-up, half-down style. Starting with the bottom layer, I took a section about three inches wide and placed it between the plates. The instructions said to hold the tool close to the roots for about three seconds before slowly gliding it down the length of hair. I repeated this process until the bottom layer was complete and then continued with the middle and top layers.
After my hair was fully dried, I noticed some flyaways that needed taming, and I was intrigued to see if the shine shot button really delivered. After pressing it and waiting for the fan to stop, I used the tool like any standard hair straightener. Starting at my roots again, I gently ran it down the length to smooth the style.
What to Consider Before Trying the GHD Duet Style
If you’re looking to save some time in the mornings and reduce the number of hot tools lying around your bedroom, the GHD Duet Style is a great option.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that you can only achieve limited styles, with the main one being straight. The tool definitely delivers on its promise of a glossy, kink-free finish, but you won’t be able to achieve mermaid waves, flick out curtain bangs, or get a bouncy blow-dry with this product. GHD advises that it is possible to create curls in the same way you do with a regular straightener, but given the wider plates, the finish will be ultra loose. I did attempt this, but I couldn’t quite master the art.
The tool has been tested on a range of hair types, but I can imagine it’s slightly harder to use on curly or natural hair. For these hair types, GHD recommends sectioning hair into smaller parts, leading the styler with a comb or brush, and keeping tension on the hair. So, while it’s still usable, it might take more time to achieve the same results.
Is the GHD Duet Style Worth the Splurge?
After nine years of development, there’s no doubt that the GHD Duet Style is one of the most innovative hair tools on the market. The smart styling plates contain infinity sensors that predict your hair’s specific needs and adjust to the optimal temperature as you’re using it.
I really liked the 2-in-1 drying and straightening feature, but with a hefty price tag, it would definitely be an investment to replace your normal hair dryer and straightener routine.
Where Is the GHD Duet Style Available?
The GHD Duet Style is available in black or white directly from Sephora, Dermstore, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, Nordstrom, and the brand’s website.
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Chloe Dunn is a senior social content producer at PS UK. With more than six years of experience in social media marketing, she is always on the lookout for the latest viral buzz. Working across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest, Chloe specialises in bringing people together virtually and building global online communities. She has previously worked in the music industry, including at Warner Music and at Live Nation, a live music promoter who own the UK’s biggest group of music venues. When she’s not filming a TikTok dance or scouring Instagram for new trends, Chloe is busy travelling to new countries or checking out a new band.
