When it comes to heat styling, ghd are the experts. They offer something for every hair type or style wish. Editor Trudi Brewer shares their latest innovation, a two-in-one tool that dries and straightens. Along with some pro tips, here is a guide on how to use it.

Before and After, wet to dry hair with the ghd Duet Style Hot Air Straightener

I have an arsenal of hot tools, but when I hear that ghd has an innovation, it’s always out with the old and in with the latest. Case in point with the latest Duet Style Hot Air Straightener, which offers a blow dry and smoothing iron all-in-one. While a great innovation, it’s not as easy to master as their previous tools. So I went to a top stylist Josh Scott at Vivo Salon in Milford, Auckland, for his insider guide on how to get the most from this new hot tool.
Read on to learn more.

What is the GHD Duet Style?

Essentially, it's a two-in-one hair styler that dries your hair from wet with a hair dryer function and then adds polish with a straightener. It could be mistaken for the ghd Max or the new Sunsthetic Max Styler, with its wide plates, but it's more than that. It uses ghd's new air-fusion technology. The brand says it was ten years in the making at the super secretive ghd lab in Cambridge, England. With internal aerodynamics, four hot plates, and a brushless motor deliver air through a grill-like panel that sounds like a quiet regular hair dryer. But the kicker is the Duet Style dries the hair with an airflow temperature set at 150ºC (cooler than most hairdryers) and 120ºC plates, so there is no risk of heat damaging wet hair. There is also a shine shot mode; at the touch of a button, the plates heat up in 90 seconds to smooth the hair at the ghd standard of 180ºC. Tested on over 3,500 heads worldwide, ghd says it's their first multi-hair tool to offer options - and you know how we girls like that. Moreover, it uses 45 per cent less energy consumption, which is better for the planet (and your power bill).

How do you use the GHD Duet Style?

I am well-versed in using hot hair tools, but the Duet Style Hot Air Straightener did challenge my DIY skills. Scott believes many people struggle with smoothing their hair; “Using a blow dryer and a brush is too much for some. Tired shoulders and elbows are why people often give up on a DIY blow-dry. The Duet Style is lightweight, easy to use, and gives the hair great shine and polish, which most women want.”

How to use it: First, wash your hair and towel dry. Next, turn on the Duet Style, wait for the heat to kick in, and after a few seconds, the light will flash to tell you the tool has reached the optimum styling temperature, and away you go. Scott says the key to success is to divide the hair into small sections. You must get the Duet Style as close to the roots as possible and hold it for three or four seconds to dry them.” When working at the back of the head, Scott says. Divide the hair down the middle at the back and pull the sections behind your head to the sides to ensure they’re dry.”
He adds, “Taking small sections (especially with thick hair) is essential. If the roots of your hair are not dry, your style will not stay in shape. Done well, it can stop humidity from causing frizz for 48 hours, cutting down your weekly styling routine.” Next, glide the tool through the mid-lengths to the ends around three or four times like using a classic straightener to smooth the hair,” says Scott. Finally, switch to the shine shot mode to add extra polish. “It takes seconds for the straightening plates to heat up. The shine shot finishes your style and gives that sleek polish, and if you lift and bend the plates around the hair, you can get subtle movement,” says Scott.
My first attempt was not great. Also, it takes a while to get into holding the plates at the roots, which goes against what I have learned about straightening irons - you never want to clamp these onto the hair and pause; it’s all about gliding them over dry hair swiftly. However, Scott’s trick of lifting the Duet Style from the roots before sliding it over each section was a great tip and stopped the result from looking poker string and flat.

Who is the GHD Duet Style best for?

Anyone with curly or wavy hair, mid-length or long hair. Scott says anyone can use this hot tool for shiny, polished-looking hair. “It’s also great for anyone who wants to style their hair only once or twice. That smoothness lasts for days.” For a two-in-one hot tool, it’s a great bang for your buck. After guidance from a professional like Scott, the ghd Duet Style is easy to use, it just takes practice, but once you have cracked it, it will revolutionise your hair routine.

The take home

If you want smooth hair and struggle to get a salon-looking blow dry, the GHD Duet Style will help you achieve that. For $645, it's an investment, but there is nothing else on the market like this hair tool. Also, once you get the hang of it, the silky-smooth results give, to quote ghd, that 'can't stop touching my hair’ feel and glorious shine. Finally, Scott says always use heat-protecting spray with any hot tools. “Why wouldn’t you? They’re designed to maintain the hair's health by adding an invisible shield of protection and nourishing each strand with added protein. If you don’t, it can cause breakage and will lead to dryness.”