FLAT IRONS

Yes, a cordless flat iron with a long-life lithium battery can deliver the same styling performance as a plug-in model, which makes it practical for travel, touch-ups, and flights where outlets or voltage aren't guaranteed. The ghd Unplugged is built specifically for this, using a long-life lithium battery rather than a smaller travel-size heating element.

It's designed to be flight-friendly and portable, so it works well as a top-up tool for quick smoothing between full styling sessions rather than a full daily replacement for a plugged-in iron. A charging set is sold separately, and pairing it with a heat-resistant travel bag and mat keeps it packable and safe to store while still warm.

Clamp a section of hair near the roots, rotate the iron a half turn, and glide it slowly down to the ends in one continuous motion, keeping the plates closed the whole way. The rotation is what shapes the curl, not the heat setting.

ghd flat irons with a rounded barrel edge, like the Platinum+, are shaped specifically to make this rotation smooth without snagging or creasing the hair. Turning the wrist more creates a tighter curl, while a gentler rotation gives a looser, beachier wave. Because the plates hold a steady 365°F, the same iron used to straighten can curl or wave without switching tools or temperatures.

A style holds longer when the cuticle gets sealed evenly in one smooth pass, rather than through repeated passes at inconsistent heat. Even, consistent heat across the plates is what makes that single-pass seal possible.

In consumer testing, 82% of 112 people agreed the ghd Chronos Max gave a 24-hour lasting style. The newer ghd Sculpt, which uses Heat-Adapt technology to personalize temperature to hair in real time, tested at up to 90% more shine and 2.5 times less frizz compared to the ghd Platinum+. Fewer passes at a steady temperature also means less cumulative heat exposure, which is part of why these results come with softer, shinier hair rather than a style that looks flat by the end of the day.

Yes, hair should be fully dry before using a standard ghd flat iron. Pressing heated plates onto wet or damp hair causes trapped moisture to boil inside the hair shaft, which damages the hair and can affect the plates too.

This is why ghd's flat irons, including Chronos, Chronos Max, Platinum+, Gold, and the cordless Unplugged, are built purely around the dry-hair styling pass, which lets them heat up fast (the ghd Original reaches 365°F in 30 seconds) and hold that temperature precisely stroke after stroke. If you want one tool that goes from wet to styled, ghd's Duet Style hot air styler uses a different heat and airflow system built specifically for that. Check Wet-to-Dry Hair Tools.

Plate width and heat technology should match your hair's density. Wider plates cover more hair per pass, which matters for thick or coarse hair, while narrower plates give fine or fragile hair more control and less heat exposure per section.

The ghd Chronos Max has 2-inch plates built for thick, coarse, or long hair, cutting down the number of passes needed at 365°F. For fine or medium hair, the 1-inch ghd Chronos or the ghd Platinum+, which senses hair thickness automatically through Ultra-Zone technology, gives more precise heat with less risk of over-styling. The ghd Mini is sized for shorter styles, fringes, or travel touch-ups. The flat iron quiz can match hair type and goals to a specific model in under a minute.

Always clean your ghd flat iron when it is unplugged and fully cooled.
Use a soft cloth to wipe the plates, and avoid harsh cleaners or water exposure to keep the device in good condition.

To maintain your ghd flat irons, keep the plates clean and store them in a heat-resistant pouch after cooling. Wipe the plates with a soft, damp cloth after each use, avoid submerging the tool in water, and ensure it is unplugged and fully cooled before cleaning.