Reviewing the new Ghd Duet Blowdry
7.8.2024
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
The Ghd Duet Blowdry released last month is a kind of curling iron and hot air brush in one – an interesting combination that has its pitfalls.
Last year, Ghd launched the Duet Styler, a straightener and hairdryer in one that styles and simultaneously dries wet hair. I reviewed the innovative tool back then and was surprised at how well it worked. Ghd has now transferred the basic idea to a round brush: enter the Duet Blowdry 2-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush, launched this July. It’s designed to dry and style damp hair. But isn’t that what all hot air brushes do anyway, even those without a built-in styling iron?
Source: Natalie Hemengül
Ghd certainly sounds confident in its own product; the info sheets I receive with my test device are filled with words like «revolution» and «next level». Let’s see how accurate they really are.
Scope of delivery
- User guide and booklet with safety instructions
- Round brush
- Heat-resistant travel case
- Mini brush for cleaning
Source: Natalie Hemengül
First impressions
The set gives off high-end vibes. I’m particularly pleased about the practical travel case. Extras such as the mini cleaning brush attached to the case (used for brushing hairs out of the bristles) are a plus. On the underside of the tool is a grey, rubber element that serves as protection when you place the Duet Blowdry on a surface. The cable runs away from the appliance at a right angle at the back and can be rotated 360 degrees – very practical during use. The bristles are made of an inflexible plastic and are very different to what I’m used to with hot air brushes. They sit on a kind of elliptical curling iron that keeps a constant 120°C.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
One look at the handle tells me there’s no need to study the tool much. All you have to do is turn it on. Just how I like it. What I’m less keen on is the weight. My scales come up at 582 grammes. That’s a workout and hair styling in one, I tell myself as I begin my test.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
A (too) hot test phase
I’ve washed and dried my hair with a towel. Before I start, I apply some of Ghd’s Volume Forever Volumizing Blowdry Cream, which was developed to complement the brush, to my hair. Unfortunately, it’s not included in the scope of delivery. A real shame considering the price. The styling cream is supposed to offer a «lightweight thermal protective layer» and create up to four times more volume. Mind you, if Ghd hadn’t sent me a tube, I definitely wouldn’t have gone out and bought one myself. But I don't want to be hasty; I’ll give the cream a chance. At the very least, it smells nice.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
I turn on the brush. While the appliance warms up, the white light around the button flashes. Once it stops flashing and stays on, which takes a few seconds, it’s ready and I can get going. Here’s the concept: Step 1 is to brush through large parts of your hair from below until it’s almost dry. Step 2 is to style your hair.
Step 1: drying my hair
Getting my hair dry takes a long while. Long enough, in fact, for me to get annoyed. If you ask me, the airflow is far too weak – though, granted, it’s quiet and leaves my hair frizz-free. With the unpleasant sizzling sound of evaporating moisture, Step 1 is very unsatisfying. I reach for my normal hairdryer to get my shoulder-length hair almost dry at lightning speed. Let’s see if the Duet Blowdry is at least better for styling.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
Step 2: styling my hair
And that brings us to the painful chapter of this test! During my first styling attempt, I burn my fingers of the Duet Blowdry a whopping three times. Why? Because of the hot, elliptical «core» of the hot air brush that’s similar to a curling iron, which is supposed to create a long-lasting look. But if you’ve ever used a hot air brush, you’ll know you have to use your hand often to manoeuvre your hair, either to stop it from being blown off or to wind it around the brush. With the Duet Blowdry, this is difficult to do due to the risk of burns.
What’s more, the instructions tell me to place the brush under my hair, close to the hairline, for more volume. That gets a touch too dicey for my scalp and ears. So, I make sure to keep the brush further away from my skin to avoid burning myself. Had I not used a normal hairdryer to dry my hair, my roots would probably still be damp even after styling with the Duet Blowdry.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
In addition, the silver strip with the Ghd logo that wraps around the handle just below the brush head gets hot over time – as does the rubber tip above the brush head, which I should theoretically be able to use for grip. Even when I’m being very careful, I inevitably get too close to the heat. Dear Ghd team, please add a heat-resistant styling glove to the scope of delivery. It’s an absolute must!
On the flip side, the iron at the brush’s core does have one advantage: the curl I achieve through the ends of my hair holds really well. I’d say the Duet Blowdry is akin to an oversized, heated curler that grips hair well, conjuring up volume in zero time flat.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
The appliance switches itself off after 30 minutes when not in use. In my opinion, 10 minutes would be better.
As far as the Ghd Blow Dry Cream is concerned, I didn’t notice any significant difference to my conventional care and styling products after two rounds. That’s why I say save your money and go for any ordinary heat protector. If you really need help with volume, I can recommend the Raise the Root Thicken + Lift Spray from Color Wow. It’s easier to spread throughout the hair, feels lighter and has – quite literally – never let me down.
In a nutshell
It’s no pain, no gain with the Duet Blowdry
I find the Duet Blowdry weak in terms of drying power – especially for the price it currently goes for, which is 330 to 430 francs. In terms of styling, on the other hand, it does have strengths, giving you long-lasting, frizz-free, flowing hair. But it gets minus points from me for its weight and heat-related injuries. And the thought and sound of wet hair on a hot iron just don’t do it for me.
One target group who may find this styler useful are people with frizzy hair who find it difficult to achieve a blowout effect with a conventional hot-air brush. For anyone else who wants a luxury blowout at home, I say go for the Dyson Airwrap. If you want a home blowout on a budget, I recommend the One-Step Volumiser from Revlon, which you can get for less than 50 francs. While the Duet Blowdry is good for styling hair, for the price, it really should be able to replace a hairdryer.
Pro
- extras: travel case and mini cleaning brush
- only needs to be switched on, the device does the rest
- quiet
- long-lasting, frizz-free result
- brush grips well
Contra
- bad value for money
- heavy
- takes a very long time to dry your hair
- high risk of burns
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
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