For decades, Ghd has set the benchmark for hair straighteners, with countless styling tools promising smoother, sleeker strands in minutes. Now, the brand is back with the Ghd sculpt – its latest launch, which claims to deliver zero damage to the hair's natural structure, five-times faster styling and up to 90 per cent more shine, all thanks to AI-powered technology that adapts to the state and thickness of your hair.
Unlike traditional straighteners, which monitor the temperature of the plates, the sculpt measures how quickly heat moves through your hair itself, automatically adjusting its output. Fine or damaged hair transfers heat more quickly, so it requires less energy, while thicker, healthier strands need more to achieve the same result.
Those are ambitious promises, particularly in a market where premium hair tools are becoming increasingly expensive. At more than £300, the sculpt sits firmly in luxury territory, competing not only with Ghd's own best-selling stylers but also the likes of Dyson and Shark.
Having visited Ghd's research and development lab ahead of launch, I was keen to see whether the science translated into real-world results. So, after a month of using the sculpt as my go-to- styling tool, I put its straightening, curling and speed claims to the test to find out whether it's worthy of a place in your routine. Here’s my verdict.
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Ghd sculpt hair straightener
Rating: 4.5/5
Plate size: 26.70mm x 108.2mm, including waterfall edge
Max plate temperature: 185C
Cord length: 2.7m
Weight: 426g
Why we love it
- Effectively curls and straightens hair
- Fast styling claims proved true in testing (five-minutes for a full head)
- Hair appeared glossy, with no traces of dry or frazzled strands
Take note
- Like other Ghd stylers, plates can catch on hair mid-pass
I’ll admit it, I wasn’t the Ghd chronos’s biggest fan. The plates didn’t glide through my strands quite like the Ghd platinum+ and, when curling my hair (where the irons were in use for longer), I was always left surrounded by a faint burnt smell – as though my hair hadn’t fared well in the process. That said, I’ve always been a big Ghd fan and I’m not convinced there’s another brand as effective in the straightening field. So, naturally, I was excited at the prospect of a new Ghd tool that promises zero damage, five times faster styling and up to 90 per cent more shine. The important question? Can it deliver on its lofty promises.
Upon first glance, the Ghd sculpt is an undeniably attractive device. The styler is lightweight and slimmer than most I’ve encountered, and comes with a closing attachment that’s handy for travel. According to the brand, this is no mere coincidence and, rather, the precise design allows users to nestle the plates closer to the roots. This is something I found especially helpful in testing as someone with pieces of hair that jut out around my ears.
The zero damage claim is based on the idea that the straightener will inflict no harm to “the natural structure of your hair.” Upon visiting the Ghd lab, I checked if this claim applies to split end damage, too. It doesn’t, however the team told me that no uptick in split ends was recorded after repeat testing with the sculpt. This word-of-mouth promise wouldn’t stand in a legal setting, but I can’t deny the difference I saw after my own styling session.
Where many tools can leave my more weathered strands looking a little wiry and frayed, the sculpt seemed to give my ends a new lease of life. Of course, Ghd made no claims on the damage reversal front, but I can only speak to my experience – and 95 per cent of my locks looked as healthy as the day they were last trimmed (more than six months ago). Even better, I smelt none of the tell tale charred scents I’ve come to recognise with high heat, and I still achieved the poker straight result I wanted. The cherry on top of the cake? Each style held firm through every day of testing.
If you enjoy curling your hair with a pair of tongs, you’re not alone. This is my curling method of choice and the sculpt is more than up to the task. Unlike the Ghd chronos curve max, you won’t be able to create big, voluminous Hollywood waves, but you’ll be able to create one-inch ringlets like a pro. Admittedly, this size of curl can appear a touch prom-esque, but I found a gentle tease with a wide-tooth comb helped to loosen the finish. Alternatively, curling downwards at more vertical angle (vs. horizontal) creates a beachy wave.
My only bug bear, much like the Ghd chronos, is that the sculpt continues to catch mid-pass as you progress down the hair. It’s not as noticeable as the chronos (I only experienced the dragging once or twice), but I never experienced this with the platinum+ model, so I’m hopeful this can be fixed if there’s ever a sculpt max or sculpt curling range in the works. For context, non-Ghd straighteners – Dyson included – are usually worse on the catching front, but it irked me during styling nonetheless. You can’t have it all, I suppose, but this is perhaps as close as you’ll get.
Buy now £369, Ghdhair.com
Is the Ghd sculpt hair straightener worth the money?
If you're prepared to invest in a premium styling tool, the Ghd sculpt is one of the most impressive hair straighteners I've tested. While no hot tool can undo existing split ends, the sculpt left my hair looking noticeably healthier than many rivals after a month of regular use, lending credibility to its zero-damage claims. It delivered sleek, glossy results in record time (just five minutes) and, despite the occasional plate snag, I’ve no doubt it’ll prove a worthwhile upgrade for regular straightener users.
How I tested the Ghd sculpt hair straightener
Ahead of its launch, I spent a month testing the new Ghd sculpt after getting a first look at it on a visit to Ghd's research and development lab in May. Thereafter, I used it as my primary styler on my fine-medium density, straight-wavy hair, incorporating it into my regular pre-work routine to see how it performed in a hurry.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Smith is a Ghd fanatic and has tested everything from the chronos conical wand in her guide to the best curlers, to the Ghd glide hot brush. She’s also well versed in hair tools more broadly, having curated round-ups of the best hair dryers and hair brushes, not to mention testing a number of devices from Babyliss, Dyson and more. She regularly speaks to expert stylists and trichologists and, ahead of her at-home Ghd sculpt tests, she even visited the brand’s lab to gain a greater understanding of the product development process.
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