These are the ghd straighteners I swear by as a former hairstylist for sleek styles (aff)

As a former hairstylist, I’ve tried and tested my fair share of hair straighteners. But if there’s one brand I swear by and still use today it has to be ghd.

The ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener & Professional Styler £173.50 (was £249) are the ones I I recommend to everyone and the ones I use on my own hair. Whether you want sleek glass hair, soft waves or smooth curls without spending ages in front of the mirror. It’s one of those hair tools that makes styling so much easier.

The ghd platinum+ straighteners smooth hair without leaving it looking flat or overly “pressed.” Some straighteners can make hair look stiff, but the ghd irons leaves it glossy, soft and natural-looking no matter the style you’re creating.

The heat setting is another major reason I rate it so highly. Unlike tools that crank up to unnecessarily high temperatures, the ghd platinum+ works at the optimum styling temperature of 185°C hot enough to create a polished finish without excessive heat. When clients styled their hair daily, that balance made a huge difference in maintaining the condition of their hair over time.

I also love how versatile it is. It’s great for straightening, but it’s equally brilliant for creating loose waves and soft curls thanks to the rounded barrel design. You don’t need three different tools cluttering your drawer this genuinely does it all.

And while it sounds minor, the extra-long cord is such an underrated feature. If you’ve ever awkwardly stretched across a bedroom trying to find a mirror near a plug socket, you’ll understand why this matters. In salons, long cords are essential, and once you get used to them, it’s hard to go back.

The plates glide through the hair smoothly without snagging, it heats up quickly, and it feels noticeably more premium than many straighteners on the market. Even after trying countless alternatives, this is still the tool I come back to.

The ghd Platinum+ is a reliable styler that can straighten, wave and curl hair easily while being kinder to your strands. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Faszin Professional Hair Straighteners 42mm Wide Plate Titan £39.99 (was £119.99) are a good choice.

While I still think the ghd Platinum+ is the better investment overall, the Faszin straighteners are surprisingly impressive for the price. They heat up quickly, glide through the hair smoothly and work especially well on thicker or longer hair thanks to the wider plates.

Natalie Dixon is our Lifestyle reporter, if you liked this article and want to read more about fashion, beauty and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here.

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