Ghd's Latest Launch Styled My Hair Quicker Than Any Tool I've Tried
Consider this your ticket to smooth, shiny locks. Lucy Smith, senior shopping writer, puts the new Ghd glide+ hot brushes to the test in this comprehensive review.
Revamping a Cult Classic
It has been twenty-five years since Ghd first introduced its iconic straighteners to the beauty market. Over the decades, the brand has cultivated a near cult-like following for its innovative hair tools. From the original tongs to newer releases like the wave and chronos max, each launch continues to generate significant anticipation. The lineup now spans more than twenty-five styling devices, showcasing Ghd's commitment to innovation.
The latest additions are two updated versions of the cult glide hot brushes: the glide+ and the glide+ max. Both are priced at £189 and available on Ghdhair.com. Designed to smooth, de-frizz, and add noticeable shine in a single pass, these tools promise glossy, salon-quality hair after just minutes of effortless styling. However, such ambitious claims warrant real-world testing.
Putting the Promises to the Test
As someone who frequently battles flyaways and unruly ends, claims of all-day frizz control and up to fifty-seven percent more shine raised an eyebrow. Brand marketing often skews optimistic, so I tested both tools immediately upon launch to assess their performance in everyday use.
I used both brushes on freshly washed, fully dry hair, evaluating how quickly each could smooth, straighten, and add shape. Comparisons were made against my usual heated styling tools, with a focus on shine, frizz reduction, and ease of use on my fine-but-dense hair.
Ghd Glide+ Ceramic Smoothing Hot Brush
Key Specifications: Max heat 185°C, weight 540g, cord length 2.7m.
Why we love it: This tool can be used for both smoothing and creating loose waves. It tackles a full head of medium-thickness, chest-length hair in five minutes or less. The design makes it easy to frame strands around and under the face.
Take note: It cannot handle tangles like a traditional hair brush and won't fully eliminate kinks and flicks like a straightener.
Having long admired the Ghd glide brushes, I was thrilled to try the new glide+ models. While I never used the originals, I have been using the Ghd rise heated round brush for over a year, so I am familiar with the brand's hot brush collection. Despite loving my rise brush, I often encountered tangling issues, making Ghd's promise of new 'active snag-free bristles' particularly intriguing.
These new bristles are not a replacement for a Tangle Teezer, but I was able to pass a thick section of hair through the glide+ brush without impediment. By brushing slowly, taking about ten seconds per section, I found that the tool effectively smoothed hair in just one pass. In total, it took less than five minutes to achieve a sleek, frizz-free style. My natural hair is dull and pouffy rather than curly, so results may vary for other hair types.
Inspired by Ghd's social media tutorials, I attempted to create loose curls by twisting my hair around the paddle. Despite initial scepticism, the brush produced natural-looking waves, though not as defined as those from Ghd's soft curl tong or conical wand curler. The glide+ also features a cooler casing with an aerogel barrier, improving grip for face-framing pieces. It heats up more quickly, though Ghd has always excelled in heat-up times.
Ghd Glide+ Max Paddle Hot Brush
Key Specifications: Max heat 185°C, weight 610g, cord length 2.7m.
Why we love it: This brush works quicker than the standard glide+, styling a full head in around two to three minutes. It effectively banishes frizz and enhances natural highlights with a smoother result.
Take note: It is quite heavy for travelling, hard to clean between bristles, and less effective for creating waves compared to smaller hot brushes.
Designed for thick hair, the glide+ max feels noticeably larger and heavier than the standard model. While not ideal for travel due to its heft, its speed is impressive. It transformed my hair from freshly washed and staticky to glossy and straight in just three minutes, beating both the original glide+ and my previous straighteners by a couple of minutes. This time-saving aspect is crucial for busy routines, such as school runs or early commutes.
The results from the glide+ max are more akin to a straightener, delivering pin-straight, sleek strands. In contrast, the smaller glide+ is better for smoothing than eliminating texture. However, the max model struggles with curling or adding dimension, and its rectangular design hinders wave creation. It handles knots slightly better but can be difficult to clean if hair gets tangled in the stiff bristles.
For my strawberry blonde hair, the shine from the glide+ max made natural highlights more visible, countering post-wash frizz that often dulls my colour. Both brushes feature a sleep mode that automatically switches off after sixty minutes of inactivity, adding a safety benefit for forgetful users.
Are the Ghd Glide+ Hot Brushes Worth the Money?
If you are frequently short on time, these brushes are undoubtedly worthwhile. The glide+ serves as a multitasker for smoothing and curling, while the glide+ max offers a rapid alternative to straighteners. Neither is ideal as a standalone travel solution due to size and weight, but both impressed with their ability to restore colour and softness quickly.
Ultimately, these tools cater to busy individuals who seek salon-quality results without extensive styling time. They deliver polished locks that look meticulously cared for, achieving the goal of effortless beauty.
Testing Methodology
I tested both glide+ stylers on dry, freshly washed hair, using them for sleek straight styles and softer waves. Key factors assessed included:
- Finish: Evaluated sleekness, glossiness, and frizz reduction.
- Speed: Timed styling duration and heat-up readiness.
- Ease of Use: Assessed grip, weight, and manoeuvrability.
- Snag-Free Performance: Monitored smoothness through thick sections.
- Versatility: Tested ability to create bends, waves, and curved ends.
- Overall Value: Weighed performance against price point.
As a senior shopping writer for IndyBest, I have extensive experience testing styling tools, including Ghd's speed hair dryer and Dyson's airwrap. I regularly consult hair stylists and trichologists to ensure reviews meet high standards for scalp care and damage prevention. My daily battle with frizz made me well-suited to evaluate Ghd's updated promises.
