It’s no secret I’m a super-fan of ghd’s irons. I’ve been using them to style my hair ever since the original ghd ceramic launched back in 2001 and genuinely changed my life in a stroke.
When ghd launched its latest Chronos model in 2024, it was honestly hard to imagine what could better it. Especially when ghd released a wide-plate Chronos Max version that’s currently the GHI’s top-rated hair straighteners. (And my personal favourite, too.)
But hold onto your heat mat, says ghd. Because it’s gone one step further with the new Sculpt styler, which promises to reinvent straightening as we know. Rather than measuring the temperature of the plates, Sculpt measures your actual hair temperature using AI – then continually adjusts its performance to give your hair exactly what it needs, safely.
The promised result? A personalised, ever-adapting temperature for perfect styling without ever damaging your hair.
How does the Sculpt styler work?
Sculpt is built upon some seriously smart AI technology. This feeds in nearly 3,000 measurements per second, telling Sculpt how much hair is between the plates, how hot the hair is, and how quickly you’re moving the tool.
The AI algorithm, which has been trained on different hair types and styling techniques, then continually adjusts Sculpt’s power and temperature (which never goes higher than ghd’s famous sweet spot of 185C.)
The idea is that the styler’s heat is increased or decreased as needed to get the right results without compromising hair health. In ghd’s words, ‘it’s ensuring consistent results with zero damage to hair’s natural structure’.
As well as safeguarding hair, ghd says this AI cleverness translates into a difference you’ll see in the mirror. Think shiny, de-frizzed hair, as well as curl definition that even out-performs the Chronos in ghd's own tests.
On the downside, you'll also a difference in your bank balance. At £369, Sculpt is a £70 hike from the already-spendy Chronos – so is it worth the money?
What’s ghd Sculpt like to use?
Most ghd irons are similar at first glance, but Sculpt is immediately distinctive, right from the melodic switch-on sound. The new ergonomic shape also feels lighter, making it easy to whip through hair without arm ache. It’s speedy too; ghd says it gets hair smoother and shinier five times faster than its original iron.
Ghd is so confident that people will be impressed that there's a 'no quibble' 21 day return policy at the official ghd site.
The straightening result was exactly as I’ve come to expect from ghd. I’m sure nobody will be surprised to hear that it made short work of my scruffy, dry ends, making them smooth and sleek without needing to go over and over the same areas.
However, it’s with curling that I saw a difference. I’m already happy with my Chronos for adding shiny waves into my hair, but I’d say that Sculpt does an even better job of keeping them in place. I slept on my waves, and they still looked presentable the next day which was a nice surprise. Even ghd says Sculpt gives 'superior curl definition' compared to Chronos – and I'd agree.
Any niggles, beyond the price? Well, the different shape did mean I needed to slightly adjust my usual grip to protect my fingertips as I wrapped my curls. However, that’s more a problem of my clumsy hands plus unfamiliar irons and amateur technique. It’s me, not ghd!
Personally, I still prefer a wider plate (I'm lazy and like being able to cover as much hair with every pass), so I'm hoping that there will be a supersized Sculpt before long.
Having only used Sculpt for a week, I can’t really comment on the long-term impact on my hair condition. (And as you’ll see from the photos and video, my dry, dead ends are well overdue a trim as it is.)
However, I can't fault the innovation behind the AI tech, and I’m sure other brands will be watching with interest.
There are many things about AI that worry me – but healthy heat styling isn’t one of them.
