I’ve tested a lot of hair dryers, but the GHD Speed — a new addition to the brand’s lineup, and the most recent model to grace my dressing table — is perhaps the most powerful I’ve ever used. It also offers an intriguing special feature in the form of ‘halo dual-airflow technology’. Essentially, there’s a perimeter of always-cool air surrounding the main airflow.
I caught up with Janine Jennings, Head of Education for GHD UK&I, to get the low-down on the new dryer and the idea behind the ‘halo’ effect.
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(Image credit: Future)
In my tests, I was blown away (almost literally) by how powerful the GHD Speed was on the maximum of its four wind speed options, so the first half of that statement gets the stamp of approval from me. The second half is linked to the ‘halo’ feature.
Jennings explained to me that combining cool air with hot “keeps the hair exit temperature up to 20 degrees [Celsius] cooler, [which] helps prevent overheating and reduces the risk of heat damage.”
I’m always skeptical of ‘no heat damage’ claims, but Jennings was able to provide some supporting information: “At our Cambridge R&D lab, our science team rigorously tests heat performance across multiple hair types. In these controlled studies, no thermal damage was detected after three drying passes using an oval paddle brush and the professional Halo styling concentrator on maximum heat and airflow, compared with naturally dried hair.”
Hold up
There are some added knock-on effects of the ‘halo’ feature, too. “It keeps the dryer cool to the touch, allowing you to get closer to the roots to maximize volume for the best results and enhanced shine,” explains Jennings.
I’m a bit more on the fence about this part. Jennings, and the GHD marketing for the Speed dryer, suggests that by adding this halo of cooler air, you can get closer to your root. However, in practice, I couldn’t really feel the cool air, and I certainly wasn’t able to hold the dryer near my scalp without it feeling uncomfortably hot. That was true even if I held the dryer side-on to my head.
(Image credit: Future)
However, Jennings is correct in her assertion that the barrel of the dryer remains cool to the touch. It felt a little strange, but I was able to hold the GHD Speed by its barrel for more precise control over the direction of airflow.
Cool customer
Although cool air is mixed into the main airflow, this ‘halo’ feature isn’t intended to replace the cool shot. “A cool shot is still recommended to lock in your finished style,” says Jennings. “Halo technology manages heat intelligently throughout drying, but the cool shot delivers that final cuticle sealing step for long-lasting hold.”
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The GHD Speed makes this step incredibly easy. Not only does it have a cool shot pulse button, but it also includes ‘cold’ as a main temperature setting, delivering a continuous stream of cold air without the need to hold down a button. I’ve tested many of the best hair dryers on the market, and I haven’t seen this option anywhere else.
The GHD Speed is available to buy now, direct from GHD and select retailers, at a list price of £299.
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