GHD Original Styler (IV styler) review

We've been loving our GHD Original Styler – the IV model – for years and would recommend it to anyone, whether it's your first-ever hair straightener or you are buying as a gift. It's even rated our best hair straightener you can buy for affordability, performance and ease of use. It has last us for years and years of use –and the results are long-lasting, too. 

As for the price tag? Usually, this hair straightener sells for £109, unless there is a sale on. Black Friday is on the 27th November – see the best GHD Black Friday deals at our page.

We've tested this hair straightener on all hair types – several members of the Real Homes team own this styler – from long hair to shorter hair, thick hair, thin hair, frizzy hair and untameable. And each time the results have been 10/10. For more info on the GHD Original Styler, keep scrolling to read our full review.

GHD Original Styler specifications:

• Heat-up time: 30 seconds
• Technology: Ceramic heat
• Colour: Black
• Heat settings: 1
• Temperature: 185ºC
• Auto shut-off: After 30 mins
• Cord length: 2.7m

GHD Original Styler: heating setting and performance

These hair straighteners heat up quickly, in just 30 seconds (giving a little ‘beep beep’ when they’re ready), which is ideal if you’re in a hurry or just impatient (that’s us in the morning).

While there is only one heat setting, 185ºC, this is a great temperature for all your hair straightening needs – not too hot, so helping to prevent heat-related damage while not compromising the precision of results.

The ceramic heat technology and floating ceramic plates are suitable for all hair types and lengths. Both this feature and the rounded barrel mean snag-free styling – and even slightly knotted hair can be straightened with ease – although obviously we’d recommend brushing hair thoroughly before straightening.

GHD Original Styler: ease of use

GHD's Original IV hair straightener is great for straightening hair with simple strokes. While the plates aren’t quite as big as the ones on some of the newer models, such as the Platinum+ (click the link to see our review), they’re easily big enough for straightening, as well as creating curls, waves and flicks. The swivelling chord also makes creating curls and styling especially easy.

GHD Original Styler: safety features

Another great feature is the automatic sleep mode which turns the hair straighteners off if they are left unused for 30 minutes. That and they boast a long, 2.7 metre cord and it's swivel, too, just to make use a lot easier.

GHD Original Styler: design

Though the GHD Original Styler is not as fancy as the Platinum+ or Gold styler, it does still look the part with its classic design. It boasts a matte black finish and has a rounded barrel for ease of styling – perfect for creating curls. You'll also it has see gold plates so that you can differentiate between the plates and the straightener's body with ease. The design of this styler is iconic as it was the first GHD styler ever made. 

GHD Original Styler: how did they leave our hair?

GHD’s Original IV hair straighteners certainly leave hair flawlessly straight, or with bouncy curls or waves. Our two testers had different hair types: one had slightly wiry, older hair, the other had slightly wavy, thicker and younger hair. Both tend to find that their hair looks stiff and unnatural when straightened – but these straighteners make it easy to add bounce. And while they don’t leave hair as glossy as the GHD Platinum+ model does, they do, however, leave hair shiny after use.

What else?

GHD offers a two year manufacturer's guarantee – but we’ve had ours for at least five years and they’ve never broken and performance has never dipped, despite being dropped on the floor numerous times.

Is the original GHD the best?

In our opinion, the GHD Original Styler is the best. THat's not to say that the other models aren't as good performance-wise, though. What makes the GHD Original IV Styler our favourite is the fact it's small, lightweight and travel-friendly. It's affordable, a classic and very simple to use. It ticks all our boxes.

GHD Original Styler: where to buy?

• Buy the GHD Original Styler at Amazon
• Buy the GHD Original Styler at GHD
• Buy the GHD Original Styler at Very
• Buy the GHD Original Styler at ASOS
• Buy the GHD Original Styler at LookFantastic
• Buy the GHD Original Styler at John Lewis

What is the difference between these and newer GHD models?

The considerably more expensive GHD Platinum+ model (£189 compared to the £109 GHD original) not only has a sleeker design but also left our two testers’ hair types looking more naturally straight and glossy than the GHD Original IV. However, the Original IV is a great buy we’re happy to stick with – they're really worth the money, especially if you’re on a budget. 

More GHD reviews:

• GHD Platinum+ Styler review
• GHD Helios review
• GHD Rise review