The new ghd curling range provides 'all-day hold' and leaves hair 'shiny and smooth'
ghd is a household name for its salon-quality hair tools, and now it's taking curls to the next level. Hot on the heels of the viral success of its Chronos straightener, the brand has launched the Chronos Curve range: a new lineup of four curling tools designed to create long-lasting waves and ringlets that stay bouncy from morning to night.
The collection includes two curling wands and two tongs, each engineered with ghd's signature heat technology and ceramic barrels designed to deliver shiny, frizz-free curls. All of these are priced at £189, which is consistent with ghd's high-end pricing, but if you're acquainted with the brand, you'll know that the tools often justify the hype.
The Max Wand comes with a large barrel designed for longer hair and loose curls, while the Classic Tong promises polished, defined waves. Meanwhile, the Grand Tong appeared capable of producing voluminous ringlets that bounce with every stride.
The Conical Wand, the most adaptable of the four, is designed to create more relaxed, natural curls. I tried the Conical when it first launched, and I was seriously impressed.
It took me around 10 to 15 minutes to style my whole head, which is efficient by my standards. The wand was easy to handle and lightweight enough that my arms weren't aching halfway through.
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The curls also held impressively well without much hairspray - slightly softer but still there - and my hair looked smooth and shiny throughout the evening. However, I found it difficult to style the shorter front layers, so it's worth noting if you have a similar style.
The range all operates at a consistent 185°C, which the brand calls the 'optimum styling temperature' - and in fairness, the Conical Wand worked perfectly for my fine-to-medium hair.
However, if you prefer tongs with adjustable settings, Babyliss' Rose Quartz 25mm Curling Tong (£35, Amazon) has six temperature settings, ranging from 160°C to 210°C. Otherwise, the TRESemmé Large Ceramic Curling Tong (£27, Argos) has three settings, with a maximum temperature of 200°C.
As for the other ghd tools, they've also had some great reviews. On the Grand Tong, this person wrote: "It slides through my hair to the ends smoothly and doesn't stick or pull at all. I like the fact I can curl right to the tips of my hair, which I struggle to do with the wand."
Meanwhile, a Classic Tong user said: "The curls lasted all day & still looked great the next day! The tongs were quick to heat up and cool down. It came with a handy glove which helped protect my hand from the heat of the tool."
Unfortunately, it isn't all good news. A person who used the Grand Tong said: "Unfortunately, the curls didn't hold in my thick, coarse hair—even with prep and setting spray. Although the tong is advertised to give long-lasting curls (up to 24 hours), mine fell out within a few hours, which was disappointing."
And someone who tried the Max Wand gave a mixed three-star review: "The 38mm barrel was a bit wide for my length of hair, so I ended up with loose waves rather than curls."
But a positive review reads: "I have tried various hair curlers in the past, but never one that worked for me. The thick barrel was great for my long hair, creating soft, wavy curls that I loved. Plus, it was really quick.
"In less than 30 minutes, I had completed the style from start to finish, and it would usually take me a couple of hours."
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