ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush review: Big hair, big price
Summary
Quick verdict: A salon rivalling hair styler for time-poor baddies.
- Saves a bunch of time - salon-like hair in minutes
- Energy efficient
- Adds volume and shine to all hair types
- Expensive
- Heavy design
- Requires partial towel drying for quick results
The ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush does exactly what it says on the tin, combining a hair dryer and a styling brush into a single beauty gadget.
This allows you to simultaneously dry and style your hair whilst brushing for a voluminous, full bodied finish. The result is approximately 3 times more volume and 50% more shine compared to normally brushed hair.
However, with an RRP edging $600, the product is signficantly more expensive than the average blow dryer brush. (Indeed, you can get el cheapo models from no-name brands for under $30.)
So does the ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush do enough to justify its exorbitant price tag? Let's find out.
ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush review: Features & Design
The secret sauce behind the Duet Blowdry is its Heat-Air Xchange system. This tech ensures controlled airflow and optimal heat distribution, allowing you to achieve voluminous, smooth styles without the risk of heat damage.
The elliptical-shaped heated barrel plate maintains a constant styling temperature of 120° Celsius via a brushless digital motor which individually heats the bristles through hundreds of air vents.
A pair of heat sensors, positioned on opposite sides of the barrel plate, monitor the surface temperature 400 times per second. This maintains a consistent low-styling temperature across both the barrel and the bristles.
ghd has also put effort into the product's energy efficiency - it uses approximately 40% less electricity than a standard hairdryer running at full volume.
In terms of appearance, the ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush looks appropriately premium, with a thick and weighty wand-like design finished in matte black and silver. (A white version is also available.)
The package also includes a travel case and cleaning tool, making it easy to pack and use on the go.
ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush review: Performance
As mentioned above, the ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush keeps operation simple with a single On/Off switch.
This is an interesting departure from other hairdryer brushes which typically provide a range of power settings.
While some users might prefer having more controls, ghd's approach ensures you always receive the optimum temperature and airflow to minimise the risk of hair damage or unwanted frizz.
To test the ghd Duet Blowdry's performance, we ran it through hair at various levels of wetness.
We found the device works best on semi-wet hair. (ghd also recommends towel drying prior to usage.)
If you have especially thick hair that is prone to knotting, you may want to untangle with a regular brush first.
With those caveats in mind, our testers were able to inject an impressive amount of volume into their hair by simply gliding the brush through each section of hair 2-3 times. They were also able to increase the level of bounce by applying it to their hair like a roller for a few seconds.
No additional hair treatments were necessary with the entire process taking less than 10 minutes. Results lasted for the entire day although a top-up may be needed in the evening if you want maximum '90s style bounce.
We were also impressed by the Duet Blowdry's safety credentials. Despite hitting temperatures of 120 degrees, the brush remains safe to touch due to the arrangement of the bristles. It will also switch itself off automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity.
If there is a downside, the dryer is a little on the hefty side due to all the technology packed inside it. Weighing in at over 550g, it can start to feel cumbersome after prolonged usage.
Using it as a roller can also take a bit of practice - one of our testers initially snagged her hair when she attempted to reverse the rolling action. Fortunately, the device's low-styling temperature prevented any lasting damage.
Is the ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush noisy?
Noise level is always a consideration when it comes to hair dryers. ghd has rated the Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush as "conversation-friendly". This is a pretty subjective metric.
While it is slightly less noisy than a normal hair dryer, we would hesitate to call it quiet. If you run this thing in your bedroom in the early morning, expect to wake your partner up.
Should you buy the ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush
- Buy it if you want to signficantly boost your hair volume in a hurry.
- Don't buy it if you prefer to style your hair on a budget.
The GHD Duet Blowdry Hair Dryer Brush is a game-changer for those looking to streamline their hair styling routine. It will dry and style your hair simultaneously, while safely adding volume and shine. Despite its high price and slight learning curve, it offers excellent value for money and is a worthy investment for anyone serious about their hair care.
Pricing and availability
Specifications
Weight and dimensions
How we tested
We tested the ghd Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush for approximately 3 weeks in a normal bathroom. We used 2 test subjects with different hair types - long/wavy and fine/shoulder-length. The product was used on a variety of dampness levels: very wet, partially wet and semi dry.
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