This month, hot tool brand ghd (good hair day) had some big news. I joined our sister magazine American Spa's Associate Editor Jennifer Neid and a few other beauty editors on a trip to SC Culinary Suite in SoHo for theunveiling of ghd Platinum, one of the coolest hot tools out there.
As we enjoyed a delicious lunch spread (one that definitely beats my typical sad desk lunch), catered by celebrity chef Scott Conant, I also got to witness just how revolutionary ghd Platinum is. I'm kind of a science nerd, and so I totally geeked out as the head of research talked about some of the key features (and how a group of scientists spent two years holed up in a lab in Cambridge, England, researching a flat-iron/curlingiron/volumizer that could change the world).
Thanks to six quick-thinking sensors, ghd Platinum kindly prevents exposure to excess heat so color isn't compromisedand hair isn't fried. I saw myself sitting in front of my mirror, guiltlessly running the iron through my hair again and again ... and again.
The patented wishbone hinge holds plates in a way that prevents slippage. Again: me, mirror, guiltless. And aerogoel insulation keeps the styler cool to the touch even after 45 minutes of use (yes, 45). The heat-resistantplate guard and universal voltage make it travel-friendly (perfect for show seasons) and the sleep mode shuts the tooloff after 30 minutes of nonuse (does your styling station have a signature burn mark?) David Babaii, ghd brand ambassador, proudly escorted three models with three totally different hair textures, colors andstyles to the front of the dining table.
He knew he hardly had to do any talking. And I knew I had to go home and try it. I applied the European adapter (don't worry, U.S.-friendly plugs will be included when it launches in September), held down the power switch, plugged it in and looked for the thermostat. I couldn't find it on the left, so I looked on theright side. Nope. There is no thermostat. I had my doubts, and fumbled through the press kit. Then I remembered what the ghd head of R&D said (while I was most likely scarfing down some mouthwatering roast chicken): The ironautomatically heats to 365 degrees, which the Cambridge scientists found, with much testing, to be the optimum stylingtemperature for less damage from root to tip. Those six sensors sure know what they’re doing.
Talk about good hair day.
The ghd Platinum is available September 2015.
About: Kristen Heinzinger is the Managing Editor of American Salon, where she gets to report on the latest products, trends and industry hotshots. She holds a B.S. in journalism from Boston University, and has previously worked as an editor for beauty, art and finance publications. She currently lives in New York City, in an apartment where a multiplying collection of dry shampoos, conditioners, eye creams and nail polishes are earning her lots of potential for an episode of "Hoarders."