to think ghd's are now crap?

[duckwalk]

I remember getting my first set 8//9 years ago and thinking Wow! And continuing to think Wow each time I used them. Used them for straightening, curling and adding volume... great each time... until they went up in a tiny puff of smoke last year! Had the cord changed and they survived another few months. Bought a new set online from John Lewis and they're just not the same!! Anyone else think the same?? Any recommendations for different (but better ones)?
TIA

The loreal steam pod ones are supposed to be amazing! My GHDs just broke so I'm going to invest on some. YANBU.

I hope YABU cos I got replacement ones for my broken ones for xmas! Not tried yet!

I've had the old black ones for 10 years they were amazing.

Treated myself to some lovely lilac ones last October they are crap.

Don't get mega hot like they should and just don't straighten properly they seem to put moisture in my hair if you know what I mean.

I'd love to know why they are so different

My hairdresser told me that the two men who invented them broke away from GHD and started Cloud Nine...which is apparently why CN are so much better!

Definitely not BU.

As a professional hairdresser, the best straighteners I've ever used are by Cloud9. They are designed by the guy who originally designed Ghd's and Cloud9 is still manufactured in Korea. I tried them after having a play with them at the London hair show (Salon International) about 3 years ago and have never looked back.

Ghd's are now manufactured in China and are rubbish in comparison to the earlier versions. The latest versions have plates that don't even fit together properly anymore and tend to snag the hair.

However, if you want curls, I can recommend the Babyliss Curl Pro if you struggle to curl your hair by yourself. Expensive but fool proof!

YANBU. I bought some just before Xmas as they were on special offer. I had some, same as you, probably bought 8 or 9 years ago that were broken irreparably when they were stood on.

These ones just aren't the same . They don't get hot enough, my hair doesn't get straight enough, and my hair frizzes really easily. This should NOT be happening!

I remember when there was an automatic cut out thing added a few years ago, but I can't find anything to say they now don't get as hot.

I bought some Remington curling tongs which are absolutely brilliant, they go from 180-200 degrees. Now those get my hair straight/curly! And it holds!

I was thinking it was just me, I do have naturally curly hair and back then I was straightening a lot more than I do now. I just thought my hair was more resilient but the reaction of my hair with the curling tongs proves that's not right!

The GHD original company has been bought and sold a few times in the last 8 or so years. I think Montagu currently own it. New GHDs don't get hotter than 185 degrees. My original pair from 2002 were the best thing ever, 2 pairs I had subsequently weren't so good.

I have Nordic Hair Contrast ones now. They heat up to 210 degrees (variable) and I can do my whole head of thick, coarse wiry hair in 5 minutes. £100 from salon, worth every penny!

Fuck. I wish I'd known that before I bought them.

Shame I can't return them really.

threepiece I spent £100 on my original GHDs all those years ago, and would spend that again if I just hadn't spent £79 on ones that are crap!

Thanks for this information! Mine are still going strong after 10 years but I wouldn't have thought about replacing them with anything different.
Cloud 9 it is next time then!

Cloud Nine not Cloud9, sorry!

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks this! Was beginning to think my hair was becoming crap, and not the straighteners although wish I'd known this before I bought them in November(?)...was so excited bursting them out the box but then just thought 'Meh'!! Thanks everyone, will take a look at the CloudNine ones

my sister had a pair of pink GHD's for her 16th birthday, she is now 27 and still has them! however just a few weeks ago I got my younger sister some for her birthday and they broke after the 5th use! something has defo gone wrong there

I have quite an old pair. I'm glad I know this information. Cheers OP.

I got mine over 10 years ago and they are still going. I always knew they were brilliantly made and have heard from various friends the newer models aren't as good.

I have never been able to do curls with them even after watching my hairdresser! Any tips?

YANBU

I had a new pair for Christmas and the don't get as hot as my broken pair. Am so disappointed.

Mine are about 9 years old and going strong. Looks like I won't be replacing them when they break though.

I have one of the original models still going. My mum bought be a knew pair as she was sick of me ringing her asking her to check I had turned them off. The new ones have a cut off thingy. Have to say I hadn't noticed that much of a difference but then I have very straight hair to begin with and just use them to tidy up the front of my hair style.

Aargh new pair!!!

YANBU

I replaced my old ones last year for a nice purple ones.

The thing is crap! They don't go through my hair easily and after a few months the connection is loose and I have to keep fiddling with the end to get them to keep on. I used to be able to straighten my thick and curly hair very easily with my own pair; these ones are no better than the cheap £30 ones.

My hairdresser tried them for me and she said they were crap and since then she has had a lot of customers complain about the new ones.

old pair*

And yes, they snag my hair.

Totally agree OP, Ghd's are nothing like they used to be. I sold mine on ebay, and replaced them with a set of Remington Pearl, which are surprisingly brilliant on my thick, wavy, unruly hair. A snip at around £35 too iirc!

YANBU. I have two pairs, one that I've had for maybe 8-10 years and the newer pair which I bought a couple of years ago. I had two pairs as I was living between two places and it was easier than carting then about everywhere. The newer ones are rubbish compared to the old. They don't get as hot, don't get my hair as straight and even feel weird when I pull them over my hair. Am now living in one place so only use the old ones. The new ones are a spare and I'll probably take them on holiday RTC as I don't mind so much if they get broken/lost. When the old ones eventually give up I will definitely be looking at something different. The Cloud Nines sound good from what everyone has said. I use them ALL the time (awful unruly hair here!) so don't mind how much they cost. A good pair of hair straighteners is like a comfortable bed to me, worth spending money on.

I've had my GHDs for over ten years now. Hardly use them these days but they seems as good as new. I've definitely had my £80 worth of value and more from them.

Shame to hear quality has declined. Seems to be a common complaint these days with lots of famous brands eg. Hunter wellies and Doc Martens.