Why smooth sleek hair is the perfect hairstyle for women over 40
If you straighten your hair, chances are you’ve used a set of ghds. The haircare brand has, since its launch in 2001, become shorthand for top-of-the-range straighteners that knock back frizz without hair looking ironed flat.
It’s a product I would happily recommend to friends looking for a good hair tool, but those of a more cautious nature question whether it will result in damage (and rightly so – it is an immense amount of heat to apply to delicate hair). If you’re concerned, the brand-spanking-new ghd Platinum+ is the one for you.
Dubbed the world’s first ‘smart’ hair styler, as you start to use this straightener it recognises the thickness of your hair, the section size that you’re applying it to and the speed at which you’re working. It monitors the heat a baffling 250 times a second to ensure you only need to pass it over each section once for a smooth finish.
This ‘smart’ straightener recognises the thickness of your hair and the speed at which you’re styling
In practical terms, this means almost halving the time it takes to straighten your hair, resulting in far less damage.
I’ve been wielding the Platinum+ for the past couple of weeks and can vouch for its time-saving, style-enhancing credentials. A hairdresser once told me to only use a straightener from the hair below the ear, and not right from the roots, as this gives a much more believable smoothness and looks a little more relaxed and low maintenance.
And for the final flourish, I smooth through a couple of pumps of Moroccanoil’s lightweight hair serum Mending Infusion, which adds an extra boost of shine. I’ve been saving so much time with my new straightener, I might even brush my hair, too.
THE STELLA TOP FIVE
ghd Platinum+ Styler, £175
If you want seriously smooth hair, this is the best investment you can make.
Moroccanoil Mending Infusion, £24.56
A lovely light product to tame frizz.
Color Wow Pop & Lock Crystallite Shellac, £18
Apply this serum to dry hair for a bright, glossy finish.
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Le Bain, £22.10
The shampoo version of the brand’s bestselling frizz fighter.
Wet Brush Super Smoother Brush, £21.99
Whether your hair is wet or dry, this helps to smooth down from the roots.
