A Brief History of ghd

Long Ago, In a Time Pre-ghd…

There really is no doubt that ghd have revolutionised hair styling. The company’s straighteners are used by so many of us on a daily basis that it’s hard to imagine the world (and our hair) without them.

Hair care changed for the better in January 2001 when ghd (which stands for good hair day) was founded by Martin Penny, Gary Douglas and Robert Powls. These three visionaries collaborated in order to buy production rights from a South Korean who had invented a new hair straightening iron.

For Professionals Only

To begin with, ghd hair straighteners were only available to professionals, and they proved an instant hit in salons worldwide. Stylists were suddenly able to provide their clients with an array of new looks. No longer did they need to use time-consuming and expensive chemical methods to straighten and shape their clients’ hair.

A cult following quickly developed, ghd straighteners proving especially popular with stylists’ celebrity clients. New trends were born, (who can forget the famous “Rachel” bob as worn by Friend’s star Jennifer Anniston), looks that relied upon ghd straighteners as much as they did the stylist’s skill with scissors.

Everyone’s Got One

By 2006 ghd had launched its thermodynamics system, allowing users to “style with heat, style without fear”. The following year the IV styler collection went on sale to the general public in the UK, launched with the claim that, “thou shalt never be the same girl twice.”

The ghd straightener proved as successful with the general public as it had with the professionals, moving from exclusive professional product to an everyday must-have item for image-conscious gals (and guys) everywhere.

From Strength to Strength

In less than a decade ghd has developed ‘Super Brand’ status, consistently winning beauty industry awards and approval. Their products are to be found in top salons, back stage at fashion shows, in the bedrooms of the girl next door, the supermodel and the celebrity. (Blake Lively and Lady Gaga own ghd straighteners, don’t you know!)

Little wonder that ghd is the most sought after, most trusted brand of hair straightener in the world – little wonder that you want a pair too.