Welcome to Capsule Considers, where we try out and review the latest products on the market and offer our honest, unbiased opinions, free from any obligation or expectation because if you’re parting with your hard-earned money based on any of our recommendations, we’re gonna make sure it’s damn well worth it. Is the ghd Chronos, worth it? Here’s Kelly Bertrand’s ghd Chronos review:
As someone with hair that needs to be tamed every. damn. day. I am somewhat of an expert on hair tools.
I own a bevvy of tools – the straighteners, the curlers, at one point even a waver, and it takes a lot to impress me, so it was with GREAT interest that I got my little hands on ghd’s newest, and most advanced hair straightener, the Chronos.
Named after the god of time, ghd say that the Chronos works three times faster than their previous straighteners, without damage. How? HD Responsive Technology means that the tool is constantly monitoring the heat of the plates, while also being responsible for the three-times-faster styling time. They say that the tool is able to do its job in one stroke, while delivering up to 85% more shine.
The tool is also rounded for optimal curling and has up to two times less energy consumption.
It all sounds great – but what was it actually like, and is the ghd Chronos worth it?
My experience with the ghd Chronos:
We all know that ghd have gone through changes since our teen years – hell, I still have pals who are rocking the original models and absolutely refuse to let them go because “they just don’t make them like this anymore”.
Me with my natural mop of crazy
admit there was a dip in quality for a few years, but over the last three or four I’ve noticed significant improvements, and I have to admit that the Chronos feels different again.
My first observation: Jesus, she gliiiiiiiides. There is no friction. None. It’s like the plates are made of silk – and while this is 99% positive because who the hell wants your hair stuck in the plates, it did take me a beat to get used to. I also own a Dyson Corrale, and one of its big advantages is that it has technology that keeps hair within the plates, rather than splaying out at the ends that means you miss little bits. I’m not used to ghd plates so initially I struggled to keep my hair in the plates because it’s so glidey, but I got used to it as I went on.
The Chronos is very light and super-easy to handle, whether you’re straightening or curling – it’s got a new re-engineered hinge which does make life a bit easier and the round barrel is noticeably, well, rounder, meaning there are no weird kinks or straight bits in your curls. Curling, I’m pleased to say, was a breeze.
And now, to the good stuff. Is it quicker than the ghd’s of old? You bet. I was done straightening my hair in six minutes – and I have a LOT of long, fine hair. A big tick for the three-times-faster claim, I can confirm.
As far as the one-stroke claim, well it depends. If you want poker-straight hair, you probably still need to do two (even just on the ends) but a one-time curl is most definitely doable, and the waves I did lasted all day.
Waves and curls were easy with the ghd Chronos
I tested this baby out this week during one of Auckland’s 30-degree days – hot and humid does not a great hair environment make, and I have to admit, my hair was less frizzy than usual, and did have some great shine.
The biggest con? The price tag. This bad boy is $500, a huge jump from ghd than their previous iterations. Sure, it does the job beautifully, but the Dyson Coralle is on sale for the same price right now, which offers more features, including its ability to run cordless (and keep the hair in the plates). However, the Corrale is much, much heavier than the ghd.
However, that’s not to take away from the serious improvement this ghd offers – it is truly the best in their stable and if you’re a ghd devotee who wants that next level up in finish and shine (plus the time savings – this has to be the best part for me) then this is the perfect tool for you.
