GHD - simply the best, or hyped? Alternatives?

peckerhead

Morning, ladies.

DD wants hair straighteners for Christmas, and the word "GHD" has been bandied about. I'm gobsmacked by the price of them (suspiciously identical everywhere). Reading other forums has left me none the wiser, so I said I'd ask your opinions...

Are they really all that? As in, worth paying three or four times as much as something like these or these? Or might that perhaps have been true once, but no longer the case? Are other brands just as good, without the "wow!" price tag? Have you any recommendations? Etc.

TIA,
Tight old git

Samhain

I have The Babyliss Diamond and its as good as any GHD i have used at a fraction of the price. Currently on special offer too in Argos, see below

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/2149299/c_1/1|category_root|Health%2Band%2Bpersonal%2Bcare|14418350/c_2/3|19805475|Hair%2Bcare|14418399/c_3/4|cat_14418399|Hair%2Bstraighteners|14418402/gotoTab/reviews.htm

we'llallhavetea

i think the thing with ghd's are that they last FOREVER, seriously, i have mine for years and its like brand new! i would be disappointed if i was gifted a cheaper version what are you being quoted? i think the basic gold ones are only €120?

edit: http://millies.ie/products/ghd-iv-styler-best-seller down to 106

PinkLemonade

I bought my GHD 8 years ago and it's still going strong.
I'm not sure about the alternatives but GHDs have fantastic quality chords etc and automatically shut off if not in use, so less risk of burning the house down.

I'm re-purchasung when mine finally goes, there are better deals out there but it's worth investing in some things!!

baby_pebble

I have my Ghd 8years and wouldn't change it for the world, the cheaper ones can be very bad for your hair in the long run because they get too hot or don't have proper plates on them. When buying a Ghd though I would stick with the standard black one as I seen my friends buy limited editions and broke within a year!

GaGa21

IMO, they are the best. If it's what she's asked for, I think she'd be disappointed with another make.

Slow Show

Yeah honestly I know they're expensive but I wouldn't bother with anything less than a GHD. I've only ever had two other straighteners and not since five years ago so things could have changed since, but they were useless compared to a GHD (obviously that's not representative, there could be brilliant ones out there that I haven't tried!). I actually broke mine last year and just had to go out and replace it the next day, there was no other way about it. :pac: But yeah to sum it up, I think they're worth every cent you pay for them.

Miaireland

I have a set that I bought as a student from JML (about 12 years ago) and a set of GHD I got as a present a couple of years ago. I actually prefer the ones from JML. I can set the temp to what I want and find them but they do take longer to heat and cool that the GHD. However I might only use straightners once or twice a month so people who use them daily might be better to advise.

Sinister Kid

I went through 2 different straighteners in about two and a half years before buying a GHD which I now have about 4 years. Deffo worth spending the extra on. I also bought one for my mam a few years back, she is a disaster for going out and leaving stuff turned on, the GHD knocks itself off if it is left idol for a certain length of time.

ruthy_2504

I am an 11 year user of GHD, and swear by them! I am on my second now but only needed to replace the first one because my foolish storage choice was wrapping the cord around a door handle... Not ideal! Current one is about 7 years and 100% with pretty much daily use. If it packed up in the morning I would buy another without hesitation.

The standard Mark IV one is about €115 in Peter Marks but they were running €25 off which has expired.. Maybe they have another offer on, not sure.

retro:electro

I would absolutely go for a GHD. If she mentioned these ones then Id say she will be disappointed to get anything else. Mine lasted me over 8 years and someone once told me that if you send them back to the company along with a funny letter they send you a new pair. So I sent them back with a note saying "RIP GHD" and they sent me a free pair!

miss-p

I have ghds and they're great. I have fairly thick curly hair and when I do straighten my hair they're really good. I had remmingtons before and they were ok but not half as efficient as ghds.

Donald73

Definitely get her the GHD's, I've had mine for at least 8 or 9 years and they're going strong. The cheaper ones end up costing more in the long run with having to replace over and over.

charlietheminxx

I am going to go against the grain here and say I much prefer my Remington pearl to GHDs, and it was about half the price. I had a GHD years ago but my hair was in bits from using it. The Remington has thicker plates and I find it straightens my hair faster and keeps it in better condition. That's just me though! I've had this one 6 or 7 years now and it's still going strong.

EDIT: it also shuts itself off if you forget to turn it off.

Lia_lia

What's a DD?

Anyway, another vote for a GHD! I got one with my first ever paycheck when I was a teenager. Lasted for 8 years. Only got a new one about a year ago. They are fantastic and really well made. Worth the price long term!

StripedBoxers

GHDs are over hyped and over priced in my opinion. I have tried them before and really didn't like them.

I have this one from Nicky Clarke and its much better and does a nicer job on my hair that any GHD has done.

http://www.boots.ie/en/Nicky-Clarke-Hair-Therapy-Straightener_1111859/

I have that NC one for about five years now and its never let me down and its still going strong, far cheaper than GHDs too.

dee_mc

I had a pair of GHDs for 8 years before they crapped out; 3 days later I bought a new pair. I'd had 3 other straighteners before I bought GHDs and they just wrecked my hair. Definitely if she requested a particular brand, go with it - if you're not happy with the price, buy her something else entirely.
Whoever asked what a DD is, I believe it's internet for 'dear daughter' :P

Tilly

I've tried the GHD and it's useless compared to my Rusk. Have it about 10 yrs now and wouldn't use any other brand. It wasn't cheap tho but I've got my monies worth out of it and it's still going strong.

AJmakeup

I have my GHD 8 years! They may be pricey but worth it! And if it has been mentioned already then it may be best not to disappoint, they have a great rep for a reason! It's an investment

Find out if it's just a straightener that's wanted too, because a GHD also curls hair so this may also be the reason it was mentioned? Another multifunctional tool that I use that both straightens and curls hair is The Instyler, and doesn't damage your hair! They're around the same price as a GHD but sometimes I see them on sale so can be bought cheaper (€80 - €100)

Happy shopping!

ceadaoin.

They are the best IMO. I've been using them for about 12 years now and I'm only on my second one. The first one lasted about 6 years and the only reason I replaced it was that it was getting creaky and the hinge was slightly loose.

Bored_lad

I'd say get her a ghd all the girls I know use ghds and say there great I use a cheap hair straightener myself but that's only when I'm doing a slick back so I don't think it would be worth it. Also if she's said GHD she'll be disappointed if she gets anything else.

Galwaygirl1982

I have thick long hair. I have used my sisters GHD and rate it ok. In my opinion the best on the market is Coriless they are around 100 too but you won't find better. I had mine 5 years and then I dropped it . I went to buy one in Australia and it was more expensive than a GHD. I think the hairdressers have a retail value they must charge for a GHD . You should go to your local hairdressing supply shop - where retailers buy there products and but it there. You will prob save around 20e but if you have issue with it they won't have an issue getting it repaired/replaced. Don't buy online as there are fakes about. I would go with Coriless though !!!

Triceratops Ballet

another voice in favour of remington, I've used friends GHD's and they are good, but they're comparable to any remington one I've used, I've had a hair straightener since the late 90's and only ever owned two remingtons, one of which is still going strong, it also has an adjustable temp gauge on it I couldn't tell you the model because I got it at least 6 years ago, but its excellent quality.

saggycaggy

FYI

Millies has 20-25% off everything on site. GHD's reduced!

http://millies.ie/products/ghd-gold-classic-styler

I've never bought from here myself but I received a newsletter from them this morning about their sale.

peckerhead

Well, thanks ladies (and longhaired gentlemen, don't want to offend anyone!)

Looks like something of a split field, from "meh/over-priced/over-hyped" to "you'll-have-to-pry-it-from-my-cold-dead-fingers".

And thanks for the last link — that's a decent saving.

Now I just have to hope DD doesn't, eh, change her mind... :pac:

saggycaggy

Just so you know there are different types of GHD's available , there's a slightly cheaper one than the link I sent through also available on that website.


The GHD IV is working out at €96.25 on the site and the Gold Classic is about €111.

TheNibbler

Another vote for the GHD-had mine 11 years! I've used others that worked almost as well and were way cheaper but the durability of the GHD means it's definitely worth the extra money.

ElleEm

I find the GHD to be the best straightener I have used. I only use it a couple of times a month but I must have it 6/7 years. I have naturally wild, wavy fuzzy hair, and when I straighten it, I often get comments from people on how it looks naturally straight. It looks better after a shot of a GHD than it does after a blow dry from the hair dresser.

CaliforniaDream

Have my Ghd for about 8 years. Use it about 5 times a week and it's still going strong. Love it.

Murray007

GHD, not only the best but it's was your daughter wants. Saving a few quid not is not worth when you factor in that they will be less harsh on her hair than others, they are fast to use especially with thick hair and it's what she wants for Christmas.

shaz90ish

Its definitely worth getting a GHD. I got mine for 100 euro.Its worth the price thou. Got it 2 years ago. Still works like its brand new and I don't think I will see any fault in the future too