Latest news with #ChronosMax
WIRED
13-04-2025
- WIRED
GHD's Duet Blowdry Packs Power and Fantastic Styling—for a Price
GHD says the Duet Blowdry checks the surface temperature of the device 400 times per second to make sure it's maintaining the heat throughout your use—even more than the 250 times a second in GHD's similarly equipped Chronos Max hair straightener (7/10, WIRED Review). Also similar to the Chronos straightener, which has just one heat setting of 365 degrees Fahrenheit, the Blowdry only heats to a single heat level: 248 degrees Fahrenheit, which GHD says is an optimum low styling temperature. While 248 degrees is low compared to other heat tools like straighteners or curling irons, it is on the hotter end for blow-dry brushes, which often offer heat levels closer to 200 (though the highest level on some, like the Revlon, reaches up to 240 degrees). The Duet Blowdry also promises virtually no heat damage. I think this will hugely depend on how delicate your hair is and if you're using a heat protectant as you should be, since you are using a heat tool on your hair and wet hair is especially delicate. While GHD describes this as a wet-to-dry brush, the brand says you can't really create a shape with your hair until it's 80 percent dry, but you can still use the Duet Blowdry to get your hair to that 80 percent point before using it to truly style your hair. Personally, I just wait until my hair is somewhat dry to even start using it, but you might want more drying assistance if you have longer hair. Lovely Locks Photograph: Nena Farrell Whether or not the heat damage claims are true, the blowout itself is fantastic. I'm consistently impressed with how much volume I get without feeling like I'm in a wind tunnel, and I have fewer flyaways than I usually would. My blowout lasts longer, too, looking better than usual on day two or three thanks to the low-frizz results without losing volume or getting oily like my hair does after a serious hair-straightener sesh. Is it worth the splurge? Personally, as someone who uses one of these devices after every hair wash day, it would be worth it for me. It's the best result I've gotten by far. While it is twice the price of a Drybar or T3 blow-dry brush, the less frizz and smoother results that last for days are something I'd splurge on for my everyday tool. However, it is a bummer that for the price, you're only getting a single tool. It makes sense considering the design and technology packed into it that's specifically made for a blowout brush, and thus why it's such a good blowout brush, but other similarly priced options like the Shark FlexStyle (9/10, WIRED Recommends) or FlexFusion have a similar price point and come with multiple attachments. Still, my editor finds she still needs to follow up with a proper flat iron after a blowout with her FlexFusion, while I certainly don't need one after a morning with the Duet Blowdry.
WIRED
09-03-2025
- WIRED
GHD's Chronos Max Hair Straightener Brings the Tech, but Not the Heat
If you've had your hair dyed, cut, or styled with any regularity in professional salons, odds are you've encountered a GHD-branded hair tool. A longtime favorite of hairstylists, the company has been around since 2001 and is known for both its devotion to technological innovation and its tools' longevity. ("I've had the same GHD for 10+ years" is a typical comment on any beauty- or hair-related subreddit.) GHD's regular Chronos, Platinum+, and wet-to-dry Duet Style are all top picks in our guide to the Best Hair Straighteners, so of course we were first in line to test the company's newest release, the Chronos Max, hot off the presses in February 2025. Like most GHD tools (GHD, in case you were wondering, stands for 'Good Hair Day"), the universal-voltage Chronos Max feels solid and high-quality, as befits a hair straightener north of $300. It also plays a convenient little chime to let the user know it's been turned on, is preheating, or is turning off, and the 8.8-foot cord has a swivel attachment on the iron's back. (Unlike other flat irons, though, it curiously does not come with velcro to help bind the folded cord.) The original Chronos ($229) has been around since 2024, but the principal difference between it and the Chronos Max is the Max's larger 1.75-inch-wide plates, designed specifically to handle 'thick, long, and curly hair'—just like mine. Turning Up (or Down) the Heat I have been using a flat iron on my long, 3a curly hair nearly every day for the past 33 years, and I found many things to love about the Chronos Max during my two-week testing period. The chime, for one—even though the Chronos only takes about 30 seconds to heat up, I had no idea how convenient it was to press a button and not have to continually stop what I'm doing to check to see if a light had turned off or stopped flashing. I also loved the sturdiness of the body. So many hair straighteners nowadays are made with such cheap plastic they practically feel hollow, but the GHD is solid, weighing in at 12 ounces without the cord—just enough heft to feel substantial, but not unwieldy. Video courtesy of Kat Merck Perhaps the most curious feature, however, is its single temperature setting. That's right: one button, 365 degrees Fahrenheit. No more, no less, no adjusting. WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar experienced this for the first time while testing the original Chronos, and liked that it ultimately forced her to do less damage to her hair. As someone who's spent their entire life cranking every straightener up to max temperature to obliterate any trace of curls or frizz, though, I admit I was dubious. Meredith Kirkland, a stylist of 20 years and GHD's senior national education manager, says it's actually a myth that coarse or curly hair needs a tool with higher heat. 'All of our hair is made out of the same material, it's just shaped differently,' she explains. More specifically, the shaft of a straight hair is perfectly round, while a curly hair's is flatter, or more oval. Photograph: Wired
Telegraph
07-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The brilliant Dyson Airwrap alternative – that's half the price
If your hair 'tools' at home extend to a hairbrush and a hairdryer, but you're thinking of investing in something to elevate your style a little, allow me to guide you through a booming market for gadgets that volumise limp hair, curl straight hair or indeed straighten curly hair. Some are established, there are lots of new ones and many are pretty expensive. Meanwhile some use high temperatures to achieve results and others use air – so what do you really need from a product that often has a price tag in the hundreds? The Multi-Tasker, £195, Hershesons I've tried my fair share. The one I keep going back to at the moment is The Multi-Tasker by Hershesons, which is really handy if you want one tool to do lots of different things and if you like a bit of texture in your hair. In the kit, which costs £195, you get a main handle and three attachments. If you have medium to longer hair like me, this includes a heated brush, a classic tong and a waver (there's a set for short hair too). The heated brush is excellent for adding root lift into limp hair (you can watch an easy tutorial to recreate this on The attachment I've been using the most is the waver, which looks like a wider version of an Eighties crimper – except it gives a really modern, cool wave in a matter of minutes. (Honestly, I can do my full head of long hair in around five minutes.) You can adjust the temperature on the dial, too, so if you have fine hair like me I'd start off on a lower heat. If you like your hair straight, I don't think you can beat Ghd straighteners. I am yet to use another set that offer as much smoothness and shine. The brand's newest creation, the Chronos Max (£299, Ghd), has wider plates so is particularly brilliant if you have thick or very long hair that you want to straighten. Just one pass on each section of hair works wonders; I'd just make sure your hair is completely dry before using it. Of course, if you'd rather a tool that takes you from damp hair to styled without needing a hairdryer, Dyson is the market leader on stylers that use air flow, not heat. I am asked so often about Dyson gadgets – and if they're really worth the steep price tag. I think the Airwrap (£479.99, Dyson) is very good: it has lots of different attachments to add body, curl and volume in the hair, although in my experience the curl doesn't last beyond an afternoon or evening (which, for much of the time, is no problem). It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it, you can go from damp to styled hair in around 10 minutes. The Airstrait is Dyson's alternative to hair straighteners that use heat (from £379.99, Dyson). I think these are excellent, but as the straighteners can't reach your roots, you will need to dry your roots first before using it on your damp mid-lengths and ends. Because they are so light to use, much of the tech is in the plug socket which is quite bulky, so do bear that in mind. With any of these tools (even the Dysons), I think it's essential you prep the hair properly with a heat-protecting spray (I've included some of my favourites here). Three of the best… heat-protecting products The Prologue Hair Primer by Arkive £13, Boots Not only does this smell uplifting and zesty, it's a brilliant styling product, too. Spray it into damp hair and the clever heat-activated formula means it will hold the shape whatever styling tool you use – whether a straightener or a tong. An excellent option for anyone with finer hair. Extra Strength Dream Coat by Color Wow £32, Space NK If you have very coarse, curly or frizzy hair, this best-selling conditioning heat protectant spray is for you. Apply to damp hair and it adds hydration which will last until you next wash it, with the sort of shine and gloss you only really get after a salon blow-dry. A friend with curly hair has been committed to this for years! Almost Everything Cream by Hershesons From £14, Hershesons As the name suggests, this has lots of different uses. Most useful is to spread a pump or two in your hands, then smooth it into freshly washed, damp hair. It takes away frizz and adds a protective layer, ready for any tools. You can also use it to calm any finer baby hairs around the hairline.
