Guides & advice
All guides and advice
How-tos, explainers, fixes and comparisons, newest first.
- Why do straighteners pull hair?Why do straighteners pull or snag hair? Dirty or chipped plates, too much tension, big sections, product build-up and misaligned plates, with fixes for each.Fix
- What makes a good hair straightener?What makes a good hair straightener: plate material and width, heat control and sensors, curved edges, floating plates, cord, safety features and guarantee.Guide
- What is a hair waver and how does it work?What is a hair waver? How two and three barrel wavers press hair into S-shaped waves, what they suit, barrel sizes, heat settings and whether one is worth it.Guide
- Tapered vs regular curling wandTapered vs regular curling wand: a cone gives natural curls that loosen towards the root, a straight barrel gives even curls. Shape, ease and hair length.Comparison
- Straighteners vs hot air brushStraighteners vs hot air brush: sleek, flat hair from plates or a smooth blow-dry with volume from a brush. Heat, speed, hair types and who suits which.Comparison
- Is the ghd Chronos worth it?Is the ghd Chronos worth it? Its fixed 185 °C, motion-responsive heat, wishbone hinge and plates compared with the ghd Gold and Platinum+, and who should upgrade.Guide
- Ionic hair straighteners explainedIonic hair straighteners explained: what ionic technology claims, what is established, how it compares with plate quality and heat control, and what to prioritise.Guide
- How to use a ghd hot brushHow to use a ghd hot brush: the Rise for root volume and the Glide for smoothing, on dry hair, with section sizes, technique and how to clean the bristles.How-to
- How to use the ghd Duet BlowdryHow to use the ghd Duet Blowdry: towel drying, section sizes, root lift, smoothing the ends, settings and how to clean the filter and brush head safely.How-to
- How to use an automatic hair curlerHow to use an automatic hair curler such as the BaByliss Curl Secret: prep, section size, direction, timer beeps, avoiding tangles and making curls last.How-to
- How to use a curling wand without burning yourselfHow to use a curling wand without burning your fingers, neck or forehead: heat gloves, cool tips, hand position, stands and alternatives if you have no glove.How-to
- How to get beach waves with a wand or straightenersHow to get beach waves: which barrel size to use, leaving the ends out, alternating direction and breaking waves up, with a wand, tongs or straighteners.How-to
- How to curl short hair with tongs or a wandHow to curl short hair: choosing a 13 to 25 mm barrel, tongs or wand, small sections, flat wraps, keeping heat off the scalp and styling bobs and pixies.How-to
- How to curl long hair so it holdsHow to curl long hair so curls hold: barrel sizes for long lengths, sectioning, wrapping without overlap, pinning curls to set and finishing without dropping them.How-to
- How to charge the ghd UnpluggedHow to charge the ghd Unplugged: the USB-C cable and plug, the 5 bar battery display, charge time, 20 minute run time, sleep mode and flying with it.How-to
- How to charge the Dyson CorraleHow to charge the Dyson Corrale: magnetic cable and dock, how long a full charge takes, the display, using it plugged in and what to do if it will not charge.How-to
- How long should you hold a curling wand?How long to hold a curling wand or curling iron on each section by hair type, how long wands take to heat up and why letting curls cool makes them last longer.Guide
- How long do straighteners last?How long do straighteners last? What wears out first, typical signs of a failing styler, guarantees, cordless battery life and how to make yours last longer.Guide
- Hair waver vs crimper: what is the difference?Hair waver vs crimper explained: barrel wavers make big S-shaped waves, crimpers press tight zigzags. How each works, the look, hair types and safety.Comparison
- ghd vs BaByliss straightenersghd vs BaByliss straighteners compared: fixed 185 °C versus adjustable heat, plates, range, cordless options and guarantees, and who should buy which.Comparison
- ghd Duet Style problems and fixesghd Duet Style problems: not turning on, hair not drying, frizz, flashing lights, cutting out and filter cleaning. What to check before contacting ghd.Fix
- Dyson Corrale vs AirwrapDyson Corrale vs Airwrap: a cordless plate straightener or a corded air multi-styler. What each does, heat, cordless use and which Dyson suits you.Comparison
- Dyson Airstrait vs AirwrapDyson Airstrait vs Airwrap: one dries hair straight, the other curls, waves and smooths. Attachments, heat, weight and who should choose which.Comparison
- Does the Dyson Airstrait damage hair?Does the Dyson Airstrait damage hair? How it uses air instead of plates, its heat control, what Dyson claims, the Corrale compared and how to use it gently.Guide
- Do you need heat protection spray with straighteners?Do you need heat protection spray with straighteners and curling wands? What heat protectants do, how to apply them on wet or dry hair, and common mistakes.Guide
- Do straighteners damage hair?Do straighteners damage hair? How heat affects hair, why temperature and passes matter more than brand, heat protection, plate quality and cutting the risk.Guide
- Curling wand vs Dyson AirwrapCurling wand vs Dyson Airwrap: a hot barrel you wrap by hand or an air styler that wraps for you. Curl hold, heat, speed and which suits your hair.Comparison
- Can you take straighteners on a cruise?Can you take straighteners or a curling wand on a cruise? What cruise lines usually allow, cabin sockets and voltage, cordless batteries and safe use on board.Guide
- Can you curl a synthetic wig with tongs?Can you use curling tongs or a wand on a synthetic wig? Heat-friendly vs standard fibres, safe low temperatures, steam and rollers, and why curls may not hold.Guide
- Automatic curler vs curling wandAutomatic curler vs curling wand: a chamber that winds hair for you or a barrel you wrap by hand. Ease, curl type, hair length, tangles and safety compared.Comparison
- What temperature should straighteners be?What temperature should straighteners be set to? Maker temperature ranges in °C and °F by hair type, why ghd fixes 185 °C, and Dyson Corrale and Airstrait settings.Guide
- What size curling wand should I get?What size curling wand should you get? Barrel sizes from 13 to 38 mm (half to one and a half inches) matched to curl type and hair length, in plain terms.Guide
- Straighteners not working abroadHair straighteners not working in the USA, Europe, Japan or on a cruise ship? Voltage, plug adapters versus converters and cabin power explained simply.Fix
- Straightener plate widths explainedStraightener plate widths explained: narrow, standard and wide plates in mm and inches, and how width changes styling speed, root control and curling.Guide
- How to spot fake ghd and Dyson stylersHow to tell if ghd straighteners or a Dyson Airstrait or Corrale are fake: serial numbers, packaging, plug and weight checks, and buying from authorised sellers.Guide
- Is the Dyson Corrale worth it?Is the Dyson Corrale worth it? Its flexing plates, cordless runtime and three heat settings weighed against ghd's corded models, and who it really suits.Guide
- Is the Dyson Airstrait worth it?Is the Dyson Airstrait worth it? How it straightens with air from wet, who saves real time with it, and where a flat iron still gives a better result.Guide
- How to use ghd straightenersHow to use ghd straighteners step by step: prep, section size, one slow pass with tension, finishing the ends and the sleep mode, plus common mistakes to avoid.How-to
- How to use the Dyson AirstraitHow to use the Dyson Airstrait: towel drying, wet mode and dry mode, section size and how slowly to glide for straight results, plus use on dry hair.How-to
- How to use curling tongsHow to use curling tongs: clamping at the ends or mid length, rolling up to the root, releasing without a crease and setting curls so they last.How-to
- How to use a hair waverHow to use a hair waver: how wavers work, clamping from root to tip with even spacing, and getting mermaid waves on long and short hair without gaps.How-to
- How to use a curling wandHow to use a curling wand: wearing the heat glove, wrapping away from the face, holding times by barrel size and how to finish curls so they last all day.How-to
- How to use straighteners on short hairHow to use straighteners on short hair: narrow plates, small sections, keeping clear of the scalp and bending the ends for sleek bobs and pixie cuts.How-to
- How to curl hair with straightenersHow to curl hair with straighteners: the half twist and glide method, section sizes, twist direction and glide speed for loose waves or bouncy curls on any length.How-to
- How to clean hair straightenersHow to clean hair straighteners, including ghd: unplug and cool, wipe plates with a damp cloth and remove product build up without scratching the coating.How-to
- How to clean curling tongs and wandsHow to clean curling tongs and wands: lift hairspray and product build-up from the barrel and clamp without scratching the coating or risking a shock.How-to
- How do hair straighteners work?How do hair straighteners work? Heaters, temperature sensors and plates explained, plus what infrared, ionic and steam straightener claims actually describe.Guide
- How do cordless straighteners work?How do cordless straighteners work? Lithium battery capacity, heat-up times, session lengths and why cordless plates often run cooler than corded ones in the UK.Guide
- ghd warranty and repairs explainedHow long are ghd straighteners guaranteed for in the UK? The two-year guarantee, registering, ghd's repair service and what is not covered, explained simply.Guide
- ghd vs Cloud Nine straightenersghd vs Cloud Nine compared: fixed 185 °C against adjustable 100 to 200 °C dials, plate finishes, extra modes and which hair suits each brand best.Comparison
- ghd straighteners not working: common faults and fixesghd straighteners not turning on, not heating or one plate cold? Simple checks to try before using the ghd repair service or making a guarantee claim.Fix
- ghd straighteners red light and beeping explainedWhy are your ghd straighteners beeping or flashing a red light? What the lights and beeps usually mean, from ready to use and sleep mode to a fault warning.Fix
- ghd Platinum+ vs ghd Goldghd Platinum+ vs Gold: ultra-zone predictive technology against dual-zone sensors, colour protection claims, plates and shape, and who should choose which.Comparison
- ghd Original vs ghd Goldghd Original vs Gold compared: plate design, heat sensors, floating plates and the shared 185 °C setting, so you know what the step up to the Gold really adds.Comparison
- Dyson Corrale vs ghd straightenersDyson Corrale vs ghd: flexing copper plates and cordless use against ghd's fixed 185 °C ceramic plates and sensors, including Chronos, Platinum+ and Unplugged.Comparison
- Dyson Corrale not holding chargeDyson Corrale not holding charge or not working? Charging dock and cable checks, battery wear, reset tips and the battery replacement route through Dyson.Fix
- Dyson Airstrait vs Shark: Silki Pro and FlexFusionDyson Airstrait vs Shark SilkiPro and FlexFusion: air only straightening against ceramic plates with airflow, compared on modes, combs, heat and attachments.Comparison
- Dyson Airstrait vs ghd Duet StyleDyson Airstrait vs ghd Duet Style: two wet to dry stylers compared on airflow against heated plates, modes, maker claims and which hair each one suits.Comparison
- Dyson Airstrait vs CorraleDyson Airstrait vs Corrale: airflow that dries and straightens wet hair against heated flexing plates, compared on finish, time, power and hair type.Comparison
- Dyson Airstrait not workingDyson Airstrait not turning on, cutting out or flashing? Filter blockages, power checks and cleaning steps to try before you contact Dyson support.Fix
- Do straighteners turn off automatically?Do straighteners turn off automatically? Auto shut-off and sleep mode times by brand in minutes, including ghd, Cloud Nine, Dyson and BaByliss, and how they work.Guide
- Curling wand vs straighteners for curlsCurling wand vs straighteners for curls: defined ringlets against loose bends, how long each takes, and when a wand is worth adding to your straighteners.Comparison
- Curling wand vs curling tongsCurling wand vs curling tongs: clamp or no clamp, the curls each one makes, how easy each is to learn, and which suits short, long, fine or thick hair.Comparison
- Ceramic vs titanium straightener platesCeramic vs titanium hair straightener plates: how each heats and glides, what tourmaline coatings do, which brands use which, and which suits your hair.Comparison
- Can you use straighteners on wet hair?Can you use straighteners on wet hair? Why most plates need fully dry hair, what wet-to-dry stylers do differently, and simple heat protection steps to follow.Guide
- Can you take straighteners on a plane?Can you take hair straighteners on a plane in hand luggage? Corded versus cordless rules from UK airports, lithium battery limits and heat-resistant covers.Guide
- Are ghd straighteners worth it?Are ghd straighteners worth it? How ghd's sensors, fixed 185 °C, two-year guarantee and repair service compare with cheaper plates, and how long ghds last.Guide