After three years of reviewing hair tools, these are my all-time favourites
Updated
9Product Reviews
I have a pretty cool job.
I get to play with a lot of new products – particularly in the beauty space – and tell people what's worth their money. This means I know my way around a heated hair tool and have tried various dryers, straighteners, brushes, and stylers to varying degrees of success. However, after three years spent testing the 'best new thing', I have strict selection criteria for what I consider worth investing in and a strong top three products that I would recommend to anyone in the market for a hair tool.
They are (drumroll, please):
Firstly, my criteria
As a lazy person with frizzy hair, this is what I need from each tool I recommend:
- The ability to style my hair with just the tool in question. If I have to use another tool to get my desired hairstyle, it's probably not for me.
- A price point where I can see the cost per use lowering significantly.
- Ideally, something that won't damage my hair. I know that heated styling overall isn't great for anyone's hair, but if a tool can promise quick styling or minimal heat, I'm all about keeping my hair away from anything too extreme.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Now for the list...
Mermade Interchangeable Blowdry Brush
9Product Reviews
I love this blow-dry brush and waxed lyrical about it in my review here. Since then, I have had the opportunity to trial the ghd Duet Blowdry Brush, which has so far been the only contender that's stood up to the Mermade model. However, the price point and user experience of the Mermade make it my all-time favourite.
Why I love it:
- It has a dryer attachment and two brush attachments, which is the perfect amount.
- It's so lightweight that it never feels cumbersome to use.
- It has three heat settings, and my aversion to loud hair tools means I always use the 'medium' setting, which is 95°C. With most styling tools sitting around the 150°C-180°C mark, I feel like this is much gentler on my hair.
- It gives me a pretty, bouncy blowout – all I ever want in a hair tool, really.
Shark SpeedStyle
9Product Reviews
While this styler has more attachments than I use (five in total), Shark's technology is second to none. The unit (which you can use as a hair dryer), is really powerful and quick to work. I've included it because it's my favourite diffuser thus far, but it's worth noting that the Shark FlexStyle also has a diffuser attachment.
Why I love it:
- It's quick and powerful, no matter which attachment you're using.
- The diffuser is magic – I've never been left with intense frizz or huge hair that cheaper diffusers have given me. However, you now need to buy this attachment separately.
- The RapidGloss Finisher is a really cool attachment. It smooths down your hair after you've styled it with the other attachments. While I prefer to be a one-tool/attachment person, this was useful in summer when my styled hair got quite frizzy in the humidity.
- It's a pricey tool, but not as expensive as the Shark FlexStyle or the Dyson AirWrap.
ghd Chronos Straightener
9Product Reviews
This is the most efficient straightener I've ever used. It powers through my mid-length hair, taking very little effort when it comes to the strokes. It usually only takes one to get my hair straight and also quite shiny.
Why I love it:
- The efficiency of the straightener means that overall, less heat is applied. While it does get very hot (185°C), the one-stroke styling means I don't ever feel like I'm frying my hair.
- The styling plates have an ultra-gloss coating that leaves your hair really shiny.
- It's quick to heat up.
- It's light and ergonomic, with the new wishbone hinge also making it easier to maneuver when curling your hair.
While this is a $465 styling tool, ghd has a reputation for making lasting products. I've had ghd straighteners that have lasted 8-10 years. If you frequently straighten your hair, I really recommend investing in this tool.
