Whoever said having short hair was easier, lied. Until my mid-December quarter-life crisis, I’d always had long, curly hair. I took for granted the luxury of leaving it to air dry after washing. I’d use a hair dryer or hot brush occasionally, but I rarely needed to straighten on top, so my old set of hair straighteners from teenagehood had served me well for years.
However, since chopping my long lengths, I’ve discovered that less hair is definitely more high maintenance. So, I needed a new hard-working, hairstyling hero. Enter: the new ghd Chronos Max hair straighteners. We had high expectations with this new styling tool – ghd always performs well in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab and our beauty editor was a big fan of the previous ghd Chronos styler. Could it live up to the hype? Here’s my honest review.
Ghd Chronos Max hair straighteners at a glance
Main features:
- Fast heat-up time (35 seconds)
- Mid-width ceramic plates (43.7mm)
- Automatic switch-off
- Gloss-coated plates to add shine to hair
- 185 degree temperature for optimal styling while minimising damage
- Ergonomic swivel cord design for easy styling
The new tool is the latest release in the popular ghd Chronos range, which launched just 12 months ago. But should you invest in the Max? Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s new about the ghd Chronos Max hair straighteners?
Those blessed with long, thick and curly hair, gather round – this one’s for you. The ghd Chronos Max has two wider ceramic plates to tackle longer, thicker hair, which means speedier styling. Rejoice! We all know the pain of dedicating the best part of an evening to hair wash night. There comes a point where even the best dry shampoo just won’t cut it anymore...
Though the plates are wider, they’re also close-edge, which means you can get closer to the scalp for effortless root-to-tip sleekness. Plus, they’re coated in an ultra-gloss layer that the brand claims offers 90% more shine than its original model. Hello, flawless, glass-like, shiny hair.
What I loved
It's fast
In just 35 seconds, the plates are heated and ready to go. Styling time will depend on the length and texture of your hair, of course. Mine is short, but curly and thick, and before picking up the Chronos Max, it would usually take me 15-20 minutes to achieve my desired look. With these, it took under 10 minutes. Five minutes and 21 seconds to be exact!
However, despite my great efforts, my tresses can go from sleek and styled to Hagrid-esque within seconds of stepping outside. So, I was intrigued to see if the straighteners lived up to their promise of 24-hour staying power for your styled ‘do.
Of course, it can’t perform miracles; if you’re going out with your locks unprotected on a blustery mid-February day, you’re already fighting a losing battle. But, I put it to the test on a morning commute via a busy, hot Tube followed by a dash from station to office, plus everything in between, and back again. After a long day, a quick hairbrush and a gathering of oneself, I was stunned to find that the Chronos Max hair styling gods had delivered on their claims of long-lasting sleekness.
Good Housekeeping's beauty director, Lynne Hyland, was similarly impressed by the speedy styling offered by the wider plates. “The ghd Chronos Max isn’t designed for my fine, flat hair,” she said. “But let me tell you, it’s brilliant for it.
"The plates are so generous in width, I can curl my entire hair in three sections, each side. With each pass taking about 20 seconds, that means I can style my whole head in well under five minutes, with plenty of time to section off the front bits with a clip. The final result is undeniably impressive, too.”
It didn’t damage my hair further
As I may have mentioned, my bob requires a lot of attention in the form of heat styling, which unfortunately tends to lead to more flyaways and frizz, long-term. However, the ghd Chronos Max maintains a 185° temperature, which the brand claims is optimal to avoid frazzling – any hotter would damage the hair, and any cooler would compromise its ability to hold style.
It’s too soon to see any negative long-term effects, and I’m religious about using the best heat-protectant spray, but the cooler temperature of the plates compared to my previous straighteners immediately feels less harmful. So far, my hair still feels silky and healthy, even days after styling. Plus, I didn’t need to go over my strands multiple times to achieve a sleek finish; instead, my ‘do went from curly to straight in one or two swipes. That’s got to count for something, right?
Heat styling in any form can still cause a degree of damage, even at the optimum temperature. Heat protector is a non-negotiable, but using one of the best shine-enhancing glosses and hydrating oils are also a great hack for keeping locks in top condition and maintaining shiny, sleek, Hollywood-levels of hair health.
What I would change
The price! I think it’s fair enough for a life-changing, time-saving styling tool, but I’d obviously prefer if it was a little less of an investment. Also, let’s petition for it to come in an array of colours. Apart from that, for hair like mine, it’s that rare thing: simple, speedy and effective.
My final verdict on the ghd Chronos Max hair straighteners
As a new, slightly reluctant, everyday hair styler, I can safely say that I’ve found a new staple for my dressing table in these sturdy straighteners. I was impressed with how little time they took out of my evenings on hair wash day, and how quickly I could touch up any bed-head kinks. They’re particularly great for those with curly hair, though most hair types should feel the benefits of the wide plates that pick up more strands, providing your style isn’t mega-short.
If you’re a wizard and like to create curls and waves using a straightener, these plates also make that possible. The wider design means curls will be slightly looser and softer than those made by a thinner plate, but still with the perfect amount of volume. Beauty director Lynne styled her hair this way, and managed to fool her hairdresser into thinking she'd already had a professional blow-dry ahead of her appointment. So yes, they're that good.
Though this feature is nothing new for ghd tools, I was a big fan of the automatic shut-off tech, which turns the straighteners after 10 minutes of inactivity – extremely reassuring for those mid-meeting, “Did I turn the straighteners off” panics.
At just shy of £300, achieving a glossy, sleek mane does come at a cost. But, if you want to achieve fresh-out-the-salon hair for years to come and your old tool is due an upgrade, these high-quality straighteners are worth the investment. Good hair days await!
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.
