The GHD Unplugged hair styler or the Dyson corrale? As a beauty editor, it's a question I get asked repeatedly. If you're stuck, let me tell you this: the GHD Unplugged flatiron changed the hair styling game for me. So — if you're on the hunt for a new hair tool — it's definitely one I would add to your watch list this Amazon Prime Day (as last year it was reduced by more than £80 in the sales).
TBH, as someone with naturally straight hair, I previously always associated hair straighteners with my curly-haired friends. They'd all sit for hours in front of the mirror, painstakingly straightening their hair, and employing my help for the hard-to-reach sections at the back. Keen to get involved, I tried it on myself once before a party, and was left with limp, straight strands with no body or movement — not to mention the pungent smell of burning hair. Needless to say, I swore off straighteners from that moment on. Curling wands only.
But fast-forward 10 years, and I'm lucky enough to get the chance to the latest and greatest hair tools to hit the market as part of my job! From hot air brushes to hair dryers, I'm always game to try something new — except when it comes to flatirons. But a lot has changed since my school days. Technology has developed; plus, I now know the basic rules of hot tools (the most obvious: don't fry your hair!). Armed with heat protectant spray, I reached for the GHD Unplugged and immediately became a convert. Never here to gate-keep, it's time to share my experience.
GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler at a glance:
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- Suitable For: Wavy, Curly, Colour-Treated, Normal, Straight.
- Made From: Ceramic.
- Colours: White and Black.
- Item Weight: 966 Grams.
- Battery Life: Powerful on the go styling for up to 20 minutes of continuous styling on a full charge.
- Results: Smooth contoured plates with high gloss coating for easy, snag-free versatile styling and 65% more shine.
- Ideal For Travelling: Smart five-bar battery life indicator, USB-C cable, plug and heat-resistant carry case for easy charging anywhere within two hours. Cabin luggage friendly.
- Additional Features: 45 second heat up, automatic sleep mode after three minutes of non-use; two-year ghd manufacturer's guarantee, universal voltage.
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GLAMOUR Road Test – the design:
I thought I didn't need a flatiron, but it turns out I definitely do, and the GHD is perfect for styling straight hair. It comes in a travel-friendly compact design made for tossing in a gym bag or suitcase but has all the power of a regular-size GHD flatiron. In fact, you get a near-identical smooth plastic finish and elegant design to those seen on the Platinum Plus, where even the metal details on the hinge are the same.
At the top of the styler, there's an oversized power switch which, thanks to a LED light ring, glows soft white when you're styling your hair. When you first turn the styler on, it emits a beep sound and this same light pulses rhythmically to let you know that the plates are heating up. It only takes 45 second for this to happen: at which point the light stops pulsing and the straighteners beep more musically. The automatic temperature setting? 365 degree F / 185 degree C .
Below the light there's a smart battery level indicator strip – basically, a thin row of lights to show you how much battery is remaining (each strip represents about 20% of the total charge) – and at the bottom, a USB-C charging point. It's pretty discrete and out of the way, which we loved.
The biggest selling point is the cordless feature — the first of its kind for the brand — which allows you to style around your head quickly with ease. The long-lasting co-lithium battery charges in just two hours and offers up to 20 minutes of continuous use.
If you don’t use the styler for three minutes, it will automatically shut off to save battery life – which is much speedier than regular GHDs (which turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity, for comparison).
GLAMOUR Road Test – performance:
For all my curly-haired friends who want straight, sleek hair — this is probably not the iron for you. GHD makes it clear that this iron is made for touch-ups and on-the-go styling, and although the compact size lends itself well to travel, the smaller ceramic plates won't fare well against thick curly hair.
For people with naturally straight hair who want to amp up a glass hair look or refresh some limp curls, though, it's the perfect way to style without overpowering your straight strands. It smooths out hair, without leaving them too straight or frying ends, thanks to the safer-for-hair 365°F temperature.
GLAMOUR Road Test – battery life:
At first, I was put off by the battery life — just 20 minutes of continuous use? But I realised that the allotted 20 minutes actually kept me from spending too much time styling and in a way protected me from heat damage. It can be so tempting to straighten the same section over and over again — but all it takes is one pass for my hair to look shiny, straight, and most important, healthy with the GHD Unplugged.
The GLAMOUR verdict:
At £299 full price, this iron is a splurge, but you're definitely paying for the convenience – and if you can pick it up for a discount on Prime Day, it's definitely worth the investment.
It's so easy to use and bring on a weekend trip or holiday (time is of the essence when you're sticking to an itinerary) or to throw in your work bag for touch-ups before happy hour. If you're someone constantly on the go or traveling, it's a worthy investment. Plus, a good hair day is always priceless.
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @arianayap. This story originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
