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Elle
7 days ago
- Elle
The 22 Best Hair Tools for Styling and Growth
If you've ever had to use a dusty hair tool kept under the sink at a relative's house, you know that a curling iron is not just a curling iron. In fact, there is a wide chasm between a hair tool that works and a hair tool that really works . Genuinely good hair gadgets don't just do the bare minimum that they're made for—they go above and beyond. For ELLE's 2025 Tools and Treatment Awards, we put an endless amount of hair devices to the test. These ranged from straighteners and multi-stylers to futuristic hair growth helmets and at-home hair color aides. In the end, we found 22 hair products that our staff couldn't stop raving about. Our favorites include a flat iron that completely straightens thick, curly hair in 15 minutes; an LED helmet that helped our tester see growth in thinned-out patches; and a multi-styler that truly mimics the results of an in-salon blowout. Below, find every tool that ELLE editors are obsessed with. Best Thermal Brush If you want the look of a blowout but don't necessarily want to use a hairdryer, this brush should be in your beauty cabinet. The barrel uses far infrared heat, which penetrates the hair shaft by heating strands from the inside out, and Amika boasts that it can dry hair in half the time compared to traditional tools. Toggle the Negative Ion Generator on for help with smoothing strands and adding shine without static—the results are silky-feeling. Our tester, who has long and thick hair, reported that this brush was incredibly easy to use and gave her a blown-out look that lasted through the springtime humidity in New York City. After getting accustomed to using it, she was able to get through all of her hair in approximately 20 minutes, cutting 10 minutes off her usual routine. Best Multi-Styler With Heat This innovative hair device has more capabilities than most, even in the new realm of Swiss-Army-Knife stylers. It's a hair dryer, blowout brush, straightener, and curling iron—all in one. It has a dual-sided nozzle to blow dry and smooth frizz, thanks to targeted air flow, and for styling, you can use the round brush, curling iron, and flat iron attachments with either air or heat. Our tester reported that this tool dried her hair more quickly than others she had used, and that her hair felt like it had more body afterwards. Plus, she said, 'The different styling additions are easy to remove and click into place.' Best Straightener for Thick Hair The one styling tool all ELLE editors agree on is the GHD Chronos, a motion-responsive straightener that can leave hair perfectly smooth in a single pass. The new Chronos Max has plates almost twice as wide as the original version—you can now straighten 4B hair to sleekness, without damage, in under 20 minutes. Our tester, who has thick, long hair that typically takes up to 30 minutes to straighten, said that it cut her straightening time nearly in half. Best At-Home Blowout Tool The GHD Duet Blowdryer can essentially make your hair look like it's been professionally blow-dried every day. A combo hair dryer and styler, it uses GHD's Heat-Air Xchange Technology, an aerodynamic system that converts energy from the air into heat, and evenly warms the barrel and bristles. To ensure you don't experience heat damage, the temperature is automatically monitored 400 times per second and self-adjusts so it never gets too hot. Our tester has very thick hair and was worried at first that it wouldn't be powerful enough. But she was pleasantly surprised by how fast it dried and styled her strands—she was able to do her whole head in under 30 minutes. The end result was a frizz-free blowout that looked expensive. Best Volumizing Tool Designed with rounded edges to create voluminous and full-bodied curls, this two-in-one blow dryer and styler removes any extra steps, transforming your wet hair to a styled blowout look in one fell swoop. Our tester noted that this brush was great at detangling, and also mentioned that the handle was easier to hold than smaller styling tools, which helped to give her more control. She also noticed that her long, thick hair didn't tangle easily when using the device, which she attributes to its steady airflow. She even reported that this tool would be a suitable alternative to a flat iron, if you needed to smooth any flyaways in a rush. Best Multi-Styler for Speed A true multipurpose beauty tool that weighs just 1.5 pounds, this does triple duty as a blow dryer, curling iron, and thermal brush. With suction similar to the brand's famed vacuums, this device offers a host of different attachments that can be swapped in to dry and style your hair in minutes. Our tester was awed by how it could do just about everything: 'It worked fantastically as a blow dryer, delivered a sleek blowout, and also gave bouncy curls that lasted for a few days.' Best Curling Iron Trying to style long hair with a curling iron can be difficult, as a too-short barrel can leave you with lackluster curls and odd kinks. T3 aims to solve that with their SinglePass Curl X, which features an extra-long barrel (6.5 inches compared to the typical five-inch iron), nine different temperatures, and T3's signature gloss-promoting ceramic barrel. Our tester with mid-back-length hair found that the iron made her hair smoother and shinier than any other she's used. The ceramic barrel and the longer barrel length also curled her hair in less time, although she felt this curler was slightly heavier than shorter-length models. Best Hair Coloring Tool Messy box dyes can stain your clothes and bathroom tiles and sometimes leave you with patchy and uneven results. But the L'Oreal Colorsonic makes coloring as easy as brushing your hair. Pop a color cartridge inside, and the device automatically mixes the color and developer. From there, the Colorsonic uses oscillating smart bristles to part hair and distribute the color, depositing the dye with each stroke. Suitable for all hair textures, the bristles glide through the hair and are even able to deposit color on hard-to-reach areas, like the back of the head, for full color application in five minutes. Our tester noted that this tool was by far the easiest and cleanest way to touch up her color in between appointments. She liked that the device automatically mixed the color, so there was no need for a plastic bowl and no noxious fumes. Best Wavy Hair Tool This tool aims to give you Olsen-style Jesus waves. Developed by hairstylist Joseph Maine, it has a double-barrel clamp that you press over your hair to get S-style (not bouncy) hair waves. S waves are typically difficult to achieve for non-professional hairstylists, and involve a combo of complicated hand maneuvers and a curling iron or a flatiron. But our tester was impressed by how easy this iron was to use, and how it delivered loose, easy waves in just a few minutes. Best Small Hair Tool Sometimes less is more. That's definitely the case with the GHD Mini Flat Iron. The bite-sized version of the brand's flat iron features 40 percent slimmer plates, which makes it ideal for shorter haircuts and precise styling. With two heat sensors that use GHD's patented HD motion-responsive technology, it maintains a temperature of 365 degrees from root to tip for sleek and consistent results. The smaller size also makes this an easy on-the-go travel tool. Our tester noted that she liked how close she was able to get to her hairline to smooth flyaways. She appreciated the lightweight design and was even able to bring it with her to touch up her hair at the office before events. Best Hair Dryer for Speed Dyson's newest tool is 20 percent lighter and 30 percent smaller than its forerunner, but dries hair just as quickly. Our tester, who has short, slightly wavy hair, said that it was capable of drying her hair in just five minutes. 'If I don't have the time or energy to also straighten my hair after, the flyaway attachment is enough to make my hair look smooth and sleek without too much extra effort,' she said. Best Hair Dryer to Prevent Frizz Lightweight and sleek, this blow-dryer weighs the same as a smartphone and has a thin tube for precise airflow. It utilizes what the brand calls Oxy-Active Technology, which infuses the hair with oxygen and negative ions to protect hair health and ward off frizz while it dries. The slim design allows for increased air speed without added energy, which means that this dryer is more efficient than most. Our tester confirmed that, after using, her hair was visibly sleeker and less frizzy than when she uses other blow dryers. 'I honestly didn't know what a difference a good hair dryer can make,' she said. 'I have always used standard, drug store models and thought they were fine, but the difference this dryer makes has made a fancy hair dryer convert out of me!' Best Compact Hair Dryer Lightweight and compact, this blow dryer utilizes what the brand calls NeutraHeat technology to seal the hair's cuticle, adding shine and quickly drying hair without damaging the strands. With 12 heat and speed settings and a patented design for quieter airflow, the dryer can be tailored to suit various hair needs. Our tester loved that this blow dryer could be folded up for travel and found it surprisingly powerful, despite its smaller size. Her hair is naturally wavy, fine, and frizzy, and the tool (when used with a round brush) gave her sleek, shiny, soft hair with minimal frizz. Her styling also lasted for three days. Best Non-Damaging Hair Dryer L'Oreal and ZUVI teamed up to create a hair dryer that doesn't use thermal rods, which are damaging to the environment and can be harsh on hair. With its infrared light and wind technology, this dryer helps ensure that your hair dries without frizz. It's so powerful that its wind speed gets up to 130 mph (equivalent to a category 4 hurricane). While our tester was skeptical of how a dryer this powerful would work on actual hair, she said that it dramatically cut down drying time and didn't add any frizz at all. 'Usually my hair takes 30 minutes to completely dry,' she said. 'The Airlight dries it in 20.' Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair Developed with curls and coils in mind, this lightweight dryer is said to release negatively charged ions that break down water molecules to quickly dry hair. Expect bouncy volume and smooth strands. Our tester really enjoyed the shape of the diffuser attachment, noting that it gathered a good amount of hair which cut down on drying time. She also said that the diffuser attachment felt gentler on her hair and scalp compared to conventional attachments. Best Hair Steamer This steamer opens up your hair cuticles, allowing products like conditioners and masks, which nourish strands and prevent damage, to be absorbed more deeply. The dewy steam is also warm and soothing itself, melting away tangles and knots. Our tester reported that it helped her low-porosity hair retain moisture, and her hair felt softer and more manageable. Best Innovative Hair Dryer With innovative, air suction technology, this device draws your hair inside of it , stretching and smoothing each strand with minimal tension and stress. This is particularly ideal for curly and coily hair that can be difficult to blow dry. With seven different tension settings and internal heat sensors for even distribution, it helps prevent heat damage and is equipped to quickly dry all hair types and even protective styles, like braids and twists. 'I liked that there was minimal tension on my scalp,' said our tester, who has 4a/4b coils. 'I'm used to a lot of pulling with blow-dry brushes, and my scalp has grown pretty sensitive because of it, so this is a great alternative.' She noted that it got her hair straight, even on the coolest setting. Best Curling Iron for Curly Hair Every curl and coil is unique. The Curlsmith team gets that, which is why they created the Curl Reviving Wand that comes with four interchangeable ceramic attachments that can be combined for different looks: For example, two twisted barrels give you the perfect spiral curls; a thin barrel creates tighter coils; and one curved, tapered barrel results in loose waves with tight curls at the ends. With 13 heat settings, the wand is suitable for all hair types. Our tester noted that the hardest part about using the wand was trying to decide between the endless options at her fingertips. She particularly liked the variety of heat control settings that allowed her to define her texture and easily refresh her hair. Best Diffuser for Curly Hair This hair dryer, specially formulated for curly hair, is the first on the market to combine a diffuser and a hair dryer to create a two-in-one hourglass-shaped tool, without any extra attachments. Other special features include an extra-large diffuser bowl for the longest, thickest curls; ionic technology to reduce frizz; and a temperature control system that measures heat 50 times per second, to ensure that it never gets too hot. Our tester, who naturally has 4b/4c tight coils, loved that it was made specifically with curly hair in mind, and not as an afterthought. 'I can tell, because it's much easier to hold and maneuver around my head. It's lightweight and made my curls look smooth, frizz-free, and bouncy.' Best Portable LED Device for Hair Growth How can something so compact be so powerful? This tiny at-home device's LED lights help stimulate hair growth, and the scalp massage feels great, too. Our tester found that using this tool was as easy as brushing your hair, and she was shedding less after using the scalp massager. 'I haven't had to charge it since I first opened it three weeks ago,' she added. Best Microcurrent Hair Growth Device This smart hairbrush combines red light therapy, microcurrent technology, massage, and heat to reinvigorate the scalp. There's a serum-filled pod inside, so as you comb through your roots, the 'bristles' release stimulating ingredients like green tea extract, vitamin B, and caffeine to encourage new growth. Use it on clean hair after showering. Our tester found that the device was easy to use, the gentle massage felt relaxing, and that her hair appeared shinier and had less breakage. 'My hair is glossy, and I've had less shedding,' she said. Best Hair Growth Helmet This hair growth helmet might look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but its technology checks out. Made with 120 red light bulbs for full-head coverage, this 10-minute treatment helps improve hair thickness and hair growth. Our tester found that this helmet was easy to use, and over the course of six weeks, she noticed that some areas of her hair started to look thicker and less sparse. 'There's improvement in the appearance of my hairline,' she said, noting that she plans to keep the mask in her routine.
WIRED
13-04-2025
- WIRED
GHD's Duet Blowdry Packs Power and Fantastic Styling—for a Price
GHD says the Duet Blowdry checks the surface temperature of the device 400 times per second to make sure it's maintaining the heat throughout your use—even more than the 250 times a second in GHD's similarly equipped Chronos Max hair straightener (7/10, WIRED Review). Also similar to the Chronos straightener, which has just one heat setting of 365 degrees Fahrenheit, the Blowdry only heats to a single heat level: 248 degrees Fahrenheit, which GHD says is an optimum low styling temperature. While 248 degrees is low compared to other heat tools like straighteners or curling irons, it is on the hotter end for blow-dry brushes, which often offer heat levels closer to 200 (though the highest level on some, like the Revlon, reaches up to 240 degrees). The Duet Blowdry also promises virtually no heat damage. I think this will hugely depend on how delicate your hair is and if you're using a heat protectant as you should be, since you are using a heat tool on your hair and wet hair is especially delicate. While GHD describes this as a wet-to-dry brush, the brand says you can't really create a shape with your hair until it's 80 percent dry, but you can still use the Duet Blowdry to get your hair to that 80 percent point before using it to truly style your hair. Personally, I just wait until my hair is somewhat dry to even start using it, but you might want more drying assistance if you have longer hair. Lovely Locks Photograph: Nena Farrell Whether or not the heat damage claims are true, the blowout itself is fantastic. I'm consistently impressed with how much volume I get without feeling like I'm in a wind tunnel, and I have fewer flyaways than I usually would. My blowout lasts longer, too, looking better than usual on day two or three thanks to the low-frizz results without losing volume or getting oily like my hair does after a serious hair-straightener sesh. Is it worth the splurge? Personally, as someone who uses one of these devices after every hair wash day, it would be worth it for me. It's the best result I've gotten by far. While it is twice the price of a Drybar or T3 blow-dry brush, the less frizz and smoother results that last for days are something I'd splurge on for my everyday tool. However, it is a bummer that for the price, you're only getting a single tool. It makes sense considering the design and technology packed into it that's specifically made for a blowout brush, and thus why it's such a good blowout brush, but other similarly priced options like the Shark FlexStyle (9/10, WIRED Recommends) or FlexFusion have a similar price point and come with multiple attachments. Still, my editor finds she still needs to follow up with a proper flat iron after a blowout with her FlexFusion, while I certainly don't need one after a morning with the Duet Blowdry.
WIRED
09-03-2025
- WIRED
GHD's Chronos Max Hair Straightener Brings the Tech, but Not the Heat
If you've had your hair dyed, cut, or styled with any regularity in professional salons, odds are you've encountered a GHD-branded hair tool. A longtime favorite of hairstylists, the company has been around since 2001 and is known for both its devotion to technological innovation and its tools' longevity. ("I've had the same GHD for 10+ years" is a typical comment on any beauty- or hair-related subreddit.) GHD's regular Chronos, Platinum+, and wet-to-dry Duet Style are all top picks in our guide to the Best Hair Straighteners, so of course we were first in line to test the company's newest release, the Chronos Max, hot off the presses in February 2025. Like most GHD tools (GHD, in case you were wondering, stands for 'Good Hair Day"), the universal-voltage Chronos Max feels solid and high-quality, as befits a hair straightener north of $300. It also plays a convenient little chime to let the user know it's been turned on, is preheating, or is turning off, and the 8.8-foot cord has a swivel attachment on the iron's back. (Unlike other flat irons, though, it curiously does not come with velcro to help bind the folded cord.) The original Chronos ($229) has been around since 2024, but the principal difference between it and the Chronos Max is the Max's larger 1.75-inch-wide plates, designed specifically to handle 'thick, long, and curly hair'—just like mine. Turning Up (or Down) the Heat I have been using a flat iron on my long, 3a curly hair nearly every day for the past 33 years, and I found many things to love about the Chronos Max during my two-week testing period. The chime, for one—even though the Chronos only takes about 30 seconds to heat up, I had no idea how convenient it was to press a button and not have to continually stop what I'm doing to check to see if a light had turned off or stopped flashing. I also loved the sturdiness of the body. So many hair straighteners nowadays are made with such cheap plastic they practically feel hollow, but the GHD is solid, weighing in at 12 ounces without the cord—just enough heft to feel substantial, but not unwieldy. Video courtesy of Kat Merck Perhaps the most curious feature, however, is its single temperature setting. That's right: one button, 365 degrees Fahrenheit. No more, no less, no adjusting. WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar experienced this for the first time while testing the original Chronos, and liked that it ultimately forced her to do less damage to her hair. As someone who's spent their entire life cranking every straightener up to max temperature to obliterate any trace of curls or frizz, though, I admit I was dubious. Meredith Kirkland, a stylist of 20 years and GHD's senior national education manager, says it's actually a myth that coarse or curly hair needs a tool with higher heat. 'All of our hair is made out of the same material, it's just shaped differently,' she explains. More specifically, the shaft of a straight hair is perfectly round, while a curly hair's is flatter, or more oval. Photograph: Wired
Telegraph
07-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The brilliant Dyson Airwrap alternative – that's half the price
If your hair 'tools' at home extend to a hairbrush and a hairdryer, but you're thinking of investing in something to elevate your style a little, allow me to guide you through a booming market for gadgets that volumise limp hair, curl straight hair or indeed straighten curly hair. Some are established, there are lots of new ones and many are pretty expensive. Meanwhile some use high temperatures to achieve results and others use air – so what do you really need from a product that often has a price tag in the hundreds? The Multi-Tasker, £195, Hershesons I've tried my fair share. The one I keep going back to at the moment is The Multi-Tasker by Hershesons, which is really handy if you want one tool to do lots of different things and if you like a bit of texture in your hair. In the kit, which costs £195, you get a main handle and three attachments. If you have medium to longer hair like me, this includes a heated brush, a classic tong and a waver (there's a set for short hair too). The heated brush is excellent for adding root lift into limp hair (you can watch an easy tutorial to recreate this on The attachment I've been using the most is the waver, which looks like a wider version of an Eighties crimper – except it gives a really modern, cool wave in a matter of minutes. (Honestly, I can do my full head of long hair in around five minutes.) You can adjust the temperature on the dial, too, so if you have fine hair like me I'd start off on a lower heat. If you like your hair straight, I don't think you can beat Ghd straighteners. I am yet to use another set that offer as much smoothness and shine. The brand's newest creation, the Chronos Max (£299, Ghd), has wider plates so is particularly brilliant if you have thick or very long hair that you want to straighten. Just one pass on each section of hair works wonders; I'd just make sure your hair is completely dry before using it. Of course, if you'd rather a tool that takes you from damp hair to styled without needing a hairdryer, Dyson is the market leader on stylers that use air flow, not heat. I am asked so often about Dyson gadgets – and if they're really worth the steep price tag. I think the Airwrap (£479.99, Dyson) is very good: it has lots of different attachments to add body, curl and volume in the hair, although in my experience the curl doesn't last beyond an afternoon or evening (which, for much of the time, is no problem). It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it, you can go from damp to styled hair in around 10 minutes. The Airstrait is Dyson's alternative to hair straighteners that use heat (from £379.99, Dyson). I think these are excellent, but as the straighteners can't reach your roots, you will need to dry your roots first before using it on your damp mid-lengths and ends. Because they are so light to use, much of the tech is in the plug socket which is quite bulky, so do bear that in mind. With any of these tools (even the Dysons), I think it's essential you prep the hair properly with a heat-protecting spray (I've included some of my favourites here). Three of the best… heat-protecting products The Prologue Hair Primer by Arkive £13, Boots Not only does this smell uplifting and zesty, it's a brilliant styling product, too. Spray it into damp hair and the clever heat-activated formula means it will hold the shape whatever styling tool you use – whether a straightener or a tong. An excellent option for anyone with finer hair. Extra Strength Dream Coat by Color Wow £32, Space NK If you have very coarse, curly or frizzy hair, this best-selling conditioning heat protectant spray is for you. Apply to damp hair and it adds hydration which will last until you next wash it, with the sort of shine and gloss you only really get after a salon blow-dry. A friend with curly hair has been committed to this for years! Almost Everything Cream by Hershesons From £14, Hershesons As the name suggests, this has lots of different uses. Most useful is to spread a pump or two in your hands, then smooth it into freshly washed, damp hair. It takes away frizz and adds a protective layer, ready for any tools. You can also use it to calm any finer baby hairs around the hairline.
