How to use the ghd Duet Blowdry

Before you start

Wash and condition as usual, then towel dry until hair is damp. Starting with soaking wet hair makes the job much slower and can leave the roots damp. Comb out tangles with a wide tooth comb. Apply a heat protectant suitable for damp hair.

Clip your hair into four or more sections: two at the back and one at each side. Thick or long hair needs more sections. The Duet Blowdry works best when each section is about the width of the brush head and no thicker than the bristles can grip.

Step by step

Start at the nape, where hair is usually thickest and slowest to dry.

1. 1

   Take a section about the width of the brush head.

2. 2

   Place the brush under the section at the root with the bristles gripping the hair.

3. 3

   Hold for a few seconds at the root, lifting up for volume.

4. 4

   Draw the brush slowly down the section towards the ends, keeping light tension.

5. 5

   Repeat on the same section until it is dry, usually several passes.

6. 6

   At the ends, rotate the brush under or out for a curved finish.

7. 7

   Move on to the next section and work towards the front.

8. 8

   Finish each section with a cooler setting if your model has one, to help set the shape.

Volume or sleek: changing the finish

For volume, lift each section straight up from the scalp at the crown and hold at the root before drawing out. Roll the ends under. For a sleeker finish, keep the brush flatter to the head and use more passes with steady tension, directing the airflow down the hair shaft to smooth the cuticle.

If you want a fully straight, glossy result from wet, a plate-style wet-to-dry tool such as the ghd Duet Style or Dyson Airstrait does more; see the best wet-to-dry straighteners and our Dyson Airstrait vs ghd Duet Style comparison. For a softer blow-dry, the brush is the better fit, as covered in straighteners vs hot air brush.

• Volume: lift at the root, roll ends under.
• Smooth and sleek: flatter angle, more tension, airflow down the hair.
• Frizz at the end: make sure every section is fully dry, including the roots.
• Too slow: towel dry more and use smaller sections.

Cleaning the filter and brush

Hot air tools draw air through an intake filter. Dust and hair on the filter reduce airflow, make the tool slower and can make it run hotter. Check your manual for how to remove and clean the filter on your model, then do it regularly. Remove hair from the bristles with a comb, and wipe the brush with a barely damp cloth if there is product build-up. Never wash the tool in water.

If the Duet stops working or cuts out, a blocked filter is one of the first things to check. Our guide to ghd Duet Style problems covers common faults on ghd's air stylers.

Note:The Duet Blowdry is a mains powered hot air tool. Do not use it near a bath, shower or basin of water, keep the air intake clear of hair and stop using it if the cable is damaged.

Where it fits in ghd's range

The Duet Blowdry replaces a dryer and round brush. The Duet Style replaces a dryer and straighteners. The Rise and Glide hot brushes work on dry hair only, as explained in how to use a ghd hot brush. If you mainly want straighteners, ghd's range is set out in ghd straighteners compared.

Compare wet-to-dry stylers →

Frequently asked questions

Can you use the ghd Duet Blowdry on dry hair? It is designed to take hair from damp to dry. On dry hair it can refresh shape, but results are best from damp.

How long does it take to dry hair? It depends on length, thickness and how damp hair is. Towel drying well and using smaller sections speeds it up.

Is it the same as the ghd Duet Style? No. The Duet Style has plates for a straight finish; the Duet Blowdry is a brush for a blow-dry finish.

Do I need heat protection? Yes. Use a heat protectant suitable for damp hair.