Stylist Michael Douglas (aka Mr Davina McCall) has worked in the haircare industry for over 35 years and is on a mission to make every client feel their best, giving them what we all dream of: salon-quality hairdos from home. So in 2019 he founded mdlondon, creating a range of styling tools and products for people to use at home for great hair days every day.
We’ve tested and loved several of the brand’s tools, sprays and creams at the GHI, from the PHAT Hair Straightener to the WAVE Heated Styling Brush, but the one that really stood out on performance as well as looks was the mdlondon Curl, a 4-in-1 curling wand that rethinks the classic design and even beat the iconic ghd stylers in our lab and panel tests.
Read on for our expert review, but if you’re looking to upgrade your curling tool for party season or are after a great gift for the budding stylist in your life, you’re in luck, as mdLondon is taking part in our exclusive shopping event GH Good Buys Weekend, which runs from 12.01am on Friday 2 October to midnight on Sunday 4 October. Which means you can get 20% off site-wide using the code MDGH20 at the checkout (T&Cs apply, see below). But you’ll need to be quick!
Here’s why this tool beat the big brands in testing.
mdlondon CURL tool at a glance
- Creates multiple curl types using 4 attachable barrels
- Offers temperature control across 14 different heat settings
- Right-angle tong designed to reduce arm strain
- Lightweight
- Comes with a heat glove
The Good Housekeeping Institute panel verdict
Score: 85/100
Our testers raved about this lightweight, versatile tool. ‘It gave me so many options to curl my hair, so I could really play with my look,’ said one panellist. This is down to the interchangeable tong heads. They vary in size and, as a result, each offers a different curling technique, from tight corkscrew curls to loose mermaid waves. Another panel member called it a ‘hairdresser-worthy tool’, which makes sense, as it was developed by Michael himself.
The one-of-a-kind ergonomic design was also a big hit with our testers (and the tool’s real USP), as it helped them style their hair without the arm ache, especially when it came to reaching the back of the head. There are no rivals on the market in terms of how it looks, and the brand has really thought about how to make styling more comfortable and straightforward. That’s why it surpassed many other market-leading brands on test. What’s more, it costs much less, too. Especially over Good Buys Weekend...
The editor’s verdict
Good Housekeeping’s beauty director, Lynne Hyland, is also a big fan of the Curl wand. ‘MDLondon’s hair tools are, in my opinion, excellent,’ she says. ‘They’re thoughtfully designed, light in the hand and reliably deliver great styling results, even if you’re a novice. Michael Douglas’s masterclasses are also incredibly useful to help you get the most out of them.’
‘CURL is a great example of the brand’s innovation,’ Lynne adds. ‘I’d never questioned the traditional design of a curling tong, but Michael’s rethink has been a game-changer. Having the barrel at a right angle might seem counterintuitive, but once it’s in your hands, it all makes sense.
‘It’s good for reaching the parts that regular curling tongs don’t reach without arm ache, and there’s less contorting and cursing. I’m particularly impressed by the conical wand attachment, which flips the regular tapered tong design on its head. By making the barrel progressively wider towards the end, it means you get more fullness at the root and then a softer curl towards the end – and that’s exactly what looks best on fine hair. Oh, and the curl actually lasts, too!’
More expert-approved mdLondon tools
‘The PHAT straighteners are another favourite of mine – a product that proves that bigger really is better sometimes,’ says Lynne. ‘Its wide ceramic plates scoop up and smooth out a sizable chunk of my (admittedly skinny) hair with every pass. Even on mornings when I’ve woken up to a full head of fluff and frizz, I can get my hair sleek, shiny and work-ready in five minutes flat. It also works brilliantly for creating waves, with little time and effort.
‘Finally, I’m giving a shout-out to the price. Although £129 isn’t an inconsiderable amount, it’s less than many other wide-plate straighteners, and in my view the performance is just as premium.’
If you’re looking for great styling results without the arm-ache (or breaking the bank), now is the time to shop, with 20% off until midnight on Sunday 4 October as part of our Good Buys Weekend. Use the code MDGH20 at the checkout to get your saving* and browse our other top buys below.
*Offer excludes bundles, Christmas bundles and clearance items. Applies to one-time purchases. No minimum purchase requirement. One use per customer. Combines with shipping discounts.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
