I was very lucky to be gifted the GHD Duet Style from GHD themselves mid August 2023. I have a used it A LOT since then so here’s my honest, unfiltered thoughts. Buckle up, it’s a lengthy one!

OVERVIEW AND CLAIMS

• GHD’s first 2-in-1 hot air styler
• RRP £379
• Comes in two colours; black and white
• Includes a 2 year warranty and a heat resistant protective plate guard
• Features a ‘Shine Shot’ mode that turns it into a GHD styler at 185°C with no air for use on dry hair
• Claims to dry and style the hair at the same time
• Claims to use 45% less energy consumption
• Claims a low sound level
• Claims to style with no heat damage
• Claims to leave hair finished looking smooth and frizz-free

Now we have a brief summary of what the styler actually is, let’s get into the nitty gritty.

If you are an absolute hair novice (trust me, I’m useless at hair) this couldn’t be easier to use. I have long, thick hair that when dried naturally with no appliances becomes extremely frizzy with a mix of curls and waves. Hair wash day is a nightmare for me due to the sheer amount of time it would take to both blow dry and then straighten my hair.

The only negative for me, which is a big one at that, is the functionality of the styler. As mentioned, I received this in mid August 2023. I had used it 2-3 times per week and by the end of September it had stopped working. It would randomly cut out and I’d get a red flashing light and beeping. Initially, I thought maybe I was over using it, maybe it was getting too hot and it was something I was doing but soon realised it wasn’t me. I was hesitant to contact GHD initially due to it being a PR gift however decided I’d contact them.

The Customer Service team were really helpful. I posted the styler back to them free of charge and was told I’d receive it back if no faults were found or I would be sent a brand new one. Around 2-3 weeks passed and I received a brand new, boxed styler in the post. Great, a new styler and I felt like I got my hair lifeline back as it made hair wash day bearable but the excitement didn’t last long as I was back to square one.

I turned on the styler to use for the first time and without even having a chance to use it, it cut out. I tried different plugs, I left it turned off for a while and then tried again but nothing. Safe to say at this point sat there with my wet hair and a second tool that didn’t work, I was fuming.

I contacted GHD for the second time and complained again that this tool isn’t working. I had video evidence and photos of the red flashing light and beeping and they again, asked me to send it back to them to be looked at.

Once again, around 2 weeks had passed and I received another brand new, boxed Duet Styler. Third times the charm I hoped and luckily, it actually worked. I’ve now had my third styler from GHD from December 2023 up until now. I’m still using it 2-3 times per week and have *touch wood* had zero issues.

You may be reading this and thinking I’m ungrateful as it was a PR product but that, in my opinion, is besides the point. It’s completely unacceptable to have a product that is not fit for purpose especially one that costs just shy of £400. If I was a paying customer I would be equally if not more angry and if I had got this as a gift for someone else, it would be downright embarrassing. GHD, to my knowledge, have never admitted there was a fundamental fault with the stylers and it may have just been one dodgy batch but if that was the case, something should have been done about it.

Now, onto the positives. The positives? Quite literally everything else about the styler. This is hands down the best styler I have used and it couldn’t be better for my hair type! I previously had the Dyson AirWrap that I’d purchased and it would take an age to dry and style my hair and I would still be left with wet roots and frizziness whereas with the GHD, my hair is smooth, silky, frizz free and fully dry within 20-30 minutes. Trust me, that’s super speedy for me and my hair!

I love the styler so much in fact that I got rid of my Dyson and haven’t used any other drying or wet to dry styling tools since. I’ve taken it abroad and had no issues and again, makes it so much easier when needing to wash my hair after a long day in the pool without the need of having to travel with two separate tools as the Shine Shot works brilliantly to go over the hair if needed.

My hair looks and feels in better condition than it ever has. I do use the GHD Body Guard Heat Protector Spray which I have done for years but now also pair it with the GHD Sleek Talker, a wet to sleek oil which is designed to work with the Duet Styler and I really do notice the difference if I don’t use it!

My only feedback to GHD, aside from the issue previously mentioned, would be that the styler should come with a case. It is my bugbear that any tool you purchase from GHD doesn’t come with a protective case and when spending hundreds of pounds on your styling tools, you want to be able to look after them and store them correctly.

Overall, I really do believe the GHD Duet Style is a fantastic tool for those who wear their hair straight. It is particularly great if you have frizzy hair that you find difficult to style as the tool does all the work for you. I would happily purchase this 10x over with my own money and rate it much higher than the Dyson AirWrap I used to own. It’s an investment for sure at £379* but totally worth it… as long as there’s no more faulty batches.

See the Duet Styler in action HERE

* All prices listed accurate at the time of posting