ghd Platinum+ Styler - Professional Smart Hair Straighteners, Wishbone Hinge, Ultra Gloss Plates

Product Information

Each plate is precision milled to allow your hair to pass smoothly, while the rounder body is perfect for creating curls and waves, whatever your hair type. Universal voltage delivers your ghd style, wherever you may be in the world and with the automatic sleep mode, your hair needn't impact your busy schedule. Beauty heavyweight Revlon offers a simple but good-value option in these straightening irons. The ceramic coating on the floating heating plates is infused with moisturising coconut oil, paired with ionic technology to maintain hydration in the hair shaft and discourage frizz and flyaways.

The ceramic floating plates have sensors which monitor heat 250 times a second – 2.5 faster than the Dysons – to help protect your hair and minimise damage. The 2.7 metre cord is long enough not to be irritating and the 360°C swivel feature, combined with the wishbone-shaped handle, make this tool a winner on ergonomics. Side note: the rounded tip is perfect for curling as well as straightening. Heat is monitored over 250 times per second thanks to infinity sensors throughout the plates, ensuring a precise reading to adjust the power accordingly. So, no matter what your hair type or styling technique, ghd platinum+ will ensure you always receive the perfect amount of heat for your hair needs, personalised to you. Plate width and length:"1-inch plates are ideal," says Hughes, since these narrower plates can make it easier to do detailed styling (like curling, bending or waving) and they’re also better for getting closer to the root of the hair. One exception: If hair is super long and you're just looking to press hair straight, a 1.5-inch or 2-inch width can make faster work of the task. The floating plates (set on springs) ensure an even pressure and grip on the hair, helping it to pass through the tool smoothly. There are nine heat settings that make it easy to select the correct heat for your hair type and texture. It’s also easy to switch between temperatures, so you can use a recommended 180°C for the bulk of the hair and a cooler setting for the thinner, more fragile front sections. The straighteners heat up in just 15 seconds and feature automatic switch-off after one hour. Key specs – Plates: Floating; Maximum temperature: 200ºC; Voltage: 100-240V; Cord length: 3m; Automatic shut-off time: 30 minutes; Warranty: 3 years

Beyond material, "some of the aspects that make a great flat iron include the heating element ... a good visual digital thermometer, the quality of the plates and the length of the cord," says Toye. "The best flat irons are ones that sit comfortably in your hands, have an even heat distribution and selection of temperatures so that you don't damage your hair," adds Porsche. It takes the concept of the original Babyliss models and gives it a modern twist. Floating ceramic plates infused with keratin, argan and coconut oils, as well as ionic technology, help create a glossy, smooth finish. It uses so-called “intelligent heat control” to regulate the temperature across these plates and reduce hair damage. You can then choose from one of six temperatures (150ºC, 170ºC, 190ºC, 210ºC, 220ºC and 230ºC) and from one of three modes ( No Steam, Low Steam and High Steam). The straighteners will then automatically switch off after an hour.

With universal voltage, you can be as fierce as you want anywhere in the world and with the automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use, worrying about if your straighteners are switched off is a thing of the past. This top-performing iron was a standout in Lab tests: It maintained a consistent, steady temperature of 365º to protect hair from excessive heat damage and its technology ensures even heat across the entire plate, which means easier styling and more consistent results. Cord length: If you’re planning on styling hair in a bathroom or close to an outlet, cord length might not be an issue, but if you don’t have an outlet by your mirror, you may want to opt for a longer (or “professional”) length. Cord length in our study varied from 5.6 to 10.8 feet, with an average of 8.1 feet — the longer the cord, the more convenience and range you’ll have. “Also, if the cord swivels, that is a great feature so you can move easier,” says Hughes.

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The use of steam opens the hair follicle. This lets moisture in while straightening or curling and makes steam straighteners typically less harsh and drying, particularly on curly or more delicate hair types. Our models were impressed with how glossy and defined their hair looked after using the Revamp Progloss Steamcare and after a fortnight of use, many said their hair felt softer and seemed to be in better condition overall. There was also a noticeable improvement in how long fresh colour lasted on hair when using these straighteners. They come with adjustable heat control, so you can select the right temperature for your hair texture, from 165ºC to 210ºC. The intelligent heat-control system takes 100 measurements per second to ensure the temperature remains even throughout the process, so there’s no risk of damage from scorching. The best hair straighteners you can buy 2023 1. GHD Platinum Plus Styler: The best hair straighteners for straightening curly hair

We were a little dismayed to find ourselves going over sections multiple times, as this might counter any protective benefits from the aforementioned features, but the GHD finish was still as glossy as you’d hope for the price. The straightener heats up in exactly 15 seconds and automatically switches off after 30 minutes, just in case you forget. On paper, it also doesn’t appear to offer much versatility in terms of temperature settings but this is the same across the entire GHD range because 185°C is, according to the brand, the optimum temperature to achieve maximum styling ability with minimal hair damage. It’s also a shame that GHD has relied on an older version of its dual-zone sensor technology, taken from the mid-range GHD Gold, instead of the ultra-zone technology seen on the hair brand’s flagship model, the Platinum Plus (below). In reality, this seemingly means very little to the performance of the Unplugged, and its ability to protect our hair while styling. Certainly not to a noticeable extent. Yet when paying a premium price, you expect premium technology.

The best hair straighteners you can buy 2023

If you’re in the market for a versatile straightening tool that can handle both straight and curly styles with ease, the Babyliss 9000 is our recommendation.