
'I tried ghd's new curling wand - here's how to get perfect waves in 15 minutes'
ghd is a well-known name in the beauty industry, having provided salon-quality results at home for over 20 years and securing a permanent place in the routines of both professionals and beauty enthusiasts. So, when the brand announced a new product launch, I was all ears.
The ghd Chronos Curve range is the latest innovation, following the recent release of the Chronos Straighteners, which have been a mainstay in my routine since I got them last year. The four new styling tools - two wands and two tongs - are each designed to achieve different curl objectives.
They're all priced at £189, which aligns with GHD's premium pricing; however, if you're familiar with the brand, you know the tools often live up to the hype. I had the opportunity to try one of the curlers before the launch, and choosing which one to test was no easy feat.
The Max Wand was tempting, especially with its large barrel designed for longer hair and loose curls, while the Classic Tong promised polished, defined waves. Meanwhile, the Grand Tong looked like it could deliver the kind of voluminous ringlets that bounce with every step.
However, I chose the Conical Wand, the most versatile of the four, which is designed to create more relaxed, natural curls, according to The Mirror. Let's see how it performed below.
My honest review of ghd's Conical Wand
I'm typically more inclined to use a straightener for curling, so using a dedicated wand was a slight departure for me. The tool, at first glance, has the same sleek, lightweight fee l as other ghd devices, with a straightforward on/off switch and a minimal design that wouldn't look out of place in a professional salon.
Shop the range
£189
ghd
Buy Now on ghd
Product Description
The lack of adjustable heat settings may be a disappointment for those who prefer to fine-tune the temperature according to the style or section they're working on. However, as any ghd aficionado will tell you, all their tools operate at a steady 185 °C, which the brand touts as the 'optimum styling temperature' - and to be fair, it worked a treat on my fine-to-medium hair.
However, if you prefer tongs with adjustable settings, Babyliss' Rose Quartz 25mm Curling Tong (£38, Boots) has six temperature settings, ranging from 160°C to 210°C. Otherwise, the TRESemmé Large Ceramic Curling Tong (£27, Argos) features three settings and a maximum temperature of 200°C.
With the Conical Wand, it took me a few attempts to master the technique - wrapping sections around the barrel rather than clamping, as I'm accustomed to. But once I got the hang of it, I was off to the races.
I did manage to burn my thumb at one point, only to discover that heat-proof gloves were included in the box (silly me!). I divided my hair into sections and wrapped each strand for about five seconds. Once brushed out, the result was a soft, natural-looking curl that didn't feel overly 'done'.
It took me a mere 10 to 15 minutes to style my entire head, which is quite efficient by my standards. The wand was a doddle to use and light enough that my arms weren't throbbing halfway through.
It comes with a swivel cord as well, meaning I could style without feeling like I was having a tug-of-war with the wire. A cool tip also proved handy in holding the wand steady without scorching my fingers (ignoring my initial blunder).
My only issue is I struggled a bit with my shorter layers, especially my curtain bangs, which didn't take to the wand quite as well as the rest of my hair. As you can see in the picture above, the curl isn't quite as defined at the front. It's nothing a little styling cream can't fix, but it's worth keeping in mind if you have a fringe or shorter face-framing strands.
That moan aside, the wand did exactly what I hoped for, without the need for excessive heat or endless styling time. The curls also held remarkably well without much hairspray - slightly softer but still present - and my hair looked soft and glossy throughout the evening.
Although I'm still likely to grab my straighteners if I fancy curling my tresses, the wand gave a much more even, rounded shape with far less trial and error. For those keen to achieve volume, definition, and curls, the entire Chronos Curve range is available to shop here.

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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
'I tried ghd's new curling wand - here's how to get perfect waves in 15 minutes'
We put the Conical Wand to the test to see if it delivers on the promise of relaxed, natural-looking curls ghd is a well-known name in the beauty industry, having provided salon-quality results at home for over 20 years and securing a permanent place in the routines of both professionals and beauty enthusiasts. So, when the brand announced a new product launch, I was all ears. The ghd Chronos Curve range is the latest innovation, following the recent release of the Chronos Straighteners, which have been a mainstay in my routine since I got them last year. The four new styling tools - two wands and two tongs - are each designed to achieve different curl objectives. They're all priced at £189, which aligns with GHD's premium pricing; however, if you're familiar with the brand, you know the tools often live up to the hype. I had the opportunity to try one of the curlers before the launch, and choosing which one to test was no easy feat. The Max Wand was tempting, especially with its large barrel designed for longer hair and loose curls, while the Classic Tong promised polished, defined waves. Meanwhile, the Grand Tong looked like it could deliver the kind of voluminous ringlets that bounce with every step. However, I chose the Conical Wand, the most versatile of the four, which is designed to create more relaxed, natural curls, according to The Mirror. Let's see how it performed below. My honest review of ghd's Conical Wand I'm typically more inclined to use a straightener for curling, so using a dedicated wand was a slight departure for me. The tool, at first glance, has the same sleek, lightweight fee l as other ghd devices, with a straightforward on/off switch and a minimal design that wouldn't look out of place in a professional salon. Shop the range £189 ghd Buy Now on ghd Product Description The lack of adjustable heat settings may be a disappointment for those who prefer to fine-tune the temperature according to the style or section they're working on. However, as any ghd aficionado will tell you, all their tools operate at a steady 185 °C, which the brand touts as the 'optimum styling temperature' - and to be fair, it worked a treat on my fine-to-medium hair. However, if you prefer tongs with adjustable settings, Babyliss' Rose Quartz 25mm Curling Tong (£38, Boots) has six temperature settings, ranging from 160°C to 210°C. Otherwise, the TRESemmé Large Ceramic Curling Tong (£27, Argos) features three settings and a maximum temperature of 200°C. With the Conical Wand, it took me a few attempts to master the technique - wrapping sections around the barrel rather than clamping, as I'm accustomed to. But once I got the hang of it, I was off to the races. I did manage to burn my thumb at one point, only to discover that heat-proof gloves were included in the box (silly me!). I divided my hair into sections and wrapped each strand for about five seconds. Once brushed out, the result was a soft, natural-looking curl that didn't feel overly 'done'. It took me a mere 10 to 15 minutes to style my entire head, which is quite efficient by my standards. The wand was a doddle to use and light enough that my arms weren't throbbing halfway through. It comes with a swivel cord as well, meaning I could style without feeling like I was having a tug-of-war with the wire. A cool tip also proved handy in holding the wand steady without scorching my fingers (ignoring my initial blunder). My only issue is I struggled a bit with my shorter layers, especially my curtain bangs, which didn't take to the wand quite as well as the rest of my hair. As you can see in the picture above, the curl isn't quite as defined at the front. It's nothing a little styling cream can't fix, but it's worth keeping in mind if you have a fringe or shorter face-framing strands. That moan aside, the wand did exactly what I hoped for, without the need for excessive heat or endless styling time. The curls also held remarkably well without much hairspray - slightly softer but still present - and my hair looked soft and glossy throughout the evening. Although I'm still likely to grab my straighteners if I fancy curling my tresses, the wand gave a much more even, rounded shape with far less trial and error. For those keen to achieve volume, definition, and curls, the entire Chronos Curve range is available to shop here.


Daily Mirror
4 days ago
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Peter Kyle warns he'd go to war for kids in facing down social media firms
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has said he would go to war for our kids in facing down social media firms who fail to protect them online - and warned he's ready to use new powers Peter Kyle has said he would go to war for Britain's kids in facing down social media firms who fail to protect them online. The Technology Secretary warned he is ready to use additional powers that kick in tomorrow to hold big tech firms to account on online safety. After almost two years since the Online Safety Act (OSA) became law, Ofcom's code of practices for children's safety are finally being enforced from Friday. Under the media regulator's codes, online sites must introduce robust age verification tools - including facial scans, photo ID and credit card checks - to stop underage kids accessing things they shouldn't, such as pornography. They have also been ordered to tame toxic algorithms and take faster action on removing harmful content including self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, extreme violence and dangerous online challenges. Speaking to The Mirror, Mr Kyle said: 'We now have additional powers. No one should doubt my readiness to either use them or insist they be used to keep children safe. There is literally nothing I wouldn't do to live in a world where the stories I've heard from bereaved parents are never ever repeated here. 'So if anybody thinks that an awkward conversation or somebody else's sensitivities would stand in the way of me going to war for our kids, then they really get me wrong.' Punishments for online firms that break UK laws include fines of up to 10% of global turnover from Ofcom or, in extreme cases, their platforms being switched off in the UK. But the Molly Rose Foundation, founded by bereaved father Ian Russell after his 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life having been bombarded by harmful content on social media, said the changes lack ambition and accountability. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the charity, said: "This should be a watershed moment for young people but instead we've been let down by a regulator that has chosen to prioritise the business needs of big tech over children's safety." He said the "lack of ambition and accountability will have been heard loud and clear in Silicon Valley". He added: "We now need a clear reset and leadership from the Prime Minister. That means nothing less than a new Online Safety Act that fixes this broken regime and firmly puts the balance back in favour of children." Bereaved families have long been crying out for action on online safety after their children's deaths were linked to internet harms. Devastating stories include Archie Battersbee 's death at 12 years old after an online prank went wrong and the killing of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, whose teenage murderer accessed videos of torture and murder on the dark web. Mr Kyle said he has found it 'intensely frustrating' that it has taken more than a year of being in Government to get where we are. 'Government and parliament should have dealt with this years and years ago, and I am extremely regretful that there is a generation of children and former children who never had any protection or regard for what they were viewing online,' he said. 'Our whole society owes them an apology.' The Cabinet minister has often acknowledged that the UK's online safety laws are 'lopsided' - and has long criticised the Tories for watering down the legislation when it passed through Parliament. He said Friday's measures would not create a 'utopia from day one' but are a 'big step forward'. He admitted further legislation would be needed in the future but said Parliament must improve at being able to introduce more regular updates of the law "because the nature of online life is very fast evolving'. Mr Kyle is also exploring a package of measures to help tackle the addictiveness of social media and ensure kids have a healthier relationship with the online world. He is considering a two-hour cap on how much time youngsters spend on social media, as well as night-time or school-time curfews. Ofcom has been criticised for its painstakingly slow implementation of the OSA, which became law in 2023. The media regulator carried out several consultations to figure out its new codes for online firms, at a pace a world away from the fast evolving tech world. The NSPCC warned Ofcom it must "show its teeth and fully enforce the new codes" if firms do not comply with the new rules. And Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza added: 'We cannot lose sight of the rapidly evolving online landscape, so in order for the Children's Code to be effective and fit for the future, it is essential the Code keeps pace with emerging technology.' Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said: "Prioritising clicks and engagement over children's online safety will no longer be tolerated in the UK. Our message to tech firms is clear - comply with age checks and other protection measures set out in our codes, or face the consequences of enforcement action from Ofcom." Ofcom said it has launched a monitoring and impact programme focused on some of the platforms where children spend most time including social media sites Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, gaming site Roblox and video clip website YouTube. The sites are among those which have been asked to submit, by August 7, a review of their efforts to assess risks to children and, by September 30, scrutiny of the practical actions they are taking to keep children safe.


Daily Record
6 days ago
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Millions of Android devices infected with virus- check if yours needs turning off
Millions of Android devices have been affected by the cyber attack An urgent warning has been issued to Android users that millions of devices have been infected with the 'BadBox malware' virus. The bug can allow cyber criminals to make money off infected devices through adware and expose users to ransomware, where they threaten to leak your personal data unless you pay up. The Mirror reports that around 10 million gadgets have even been exposed to the second version of the virus, called BadBox 2.0, but this time around it's not phones that have been attacked. Instead, it's other devices that also use a version of Android including tablets, projectors and streaming boxes. These very cheap and products are being made in China and often come pre-loaded with BadBox. To keep consumers safe, Google is now trying to shut down the cyber-crime operation by filing a lawsuit against those creating and selling the dodgy devices. "This botnet—called the 'BadBox 2.0' botnet—is already the largest known botnet of internet-connected TV devices, and it grows each day,' Google confirmed. 'Without warning, it could be used to commit more dangerous cybercrimes, such as ransomware or distributed denial-of-service ('DDoS') attacks.' As well as Google taking action, the FBI has also had its say on the problems, with the law agency urging consumers to be aware and turn things off if they think they have a device that could be infected. 'The public is urged to evaluate IoT devices in their home for any indications of compromise and consider disconnecting suspicious devices from their networks," the FBI said. Some of the known devices that have been infected with the virus include Android TV boxes with model numbers X88 Pro 10, T95, MXQ Pro, and QPLOVE Q9. If you think you have bought a set-top box from an unofficial store - especially any of the ones mentioned above - it's worth checking to see if it Google Play Protect-certified. Before buying a new device, it's also worth avoiding off-brand gadgets that aren't from a known manufacturer, as they could be targeted by Badbox 2.0. This malware can also be added after the box is installed in homes, so be careful when downloading apps and only access official and protected software. In other cyber hacking news, the aftermath of the infamous M&S hacking scandal has continued with a huge-scale multi-million pound lawsuit against the company. Hackers had obtained customer and staff information that could include phone numbers, home addresses, dates of birth and online ordering histories of millions of people in a cyberattack in April. In May, Thompsons Solicitors launched a class action suit which could result in compensation pay-outs of several hundred pounds per customer. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.