Back in the day, I’d need a hairdryer and a hair straightener to transform my thick, naturally wavy hair into a sleek, smooth style. Not only would I have to spend hundreds of pounds on different tools, but it would also take me hours to get the results that I wanted.
However, beauty tech has come a long way in recent years, and now there are lots of hot brushes available that dry and style your hair all in one. As much as I love these tools (the Dyson Airwrap is a particular favourite of mine), I still find it hard to get a super sleek finish when using a hot brush on my hair. Enter, a wet-to-dry hair straightener.
Dyson’s wet-to-dry hair straightener launched in the UK last year.
Yep, that’s right, there are now tools that dry and straighten your hair in one go. We all know that using a hair straightener on wet hair is a big no-go (hello, fried ends) and although some brands have tried creating wet-to-dry straightening tools that don’t cause heat damage in the past, GHD and Dyson really spearheaded the movement when releasing similar tools in 2023. The only downside? These stylers don’t come cheap.
Because they are more of an investment, we thought it was only right that we put some of the most popular wet-to-dry straighteners to the test to see if they are really worth the money. So, if you’re thinking about giving one a go, keep on scrolling for all the info…
What Is a Wet-to-Dry Hair Straightener?
So, what is a wet-to-dry hair straightener? As the name suggests, this tool can be used on wet hair, and works to dry and straighten your hair at the same time. “A wet-to-dry straightener is the only tool you need to style your hair as soon as you step out of the shower,” says GHD ambassador and celebrity hairstylist Patrick Wilson. These tools often use a combination of hot air and styling plates to get the desired results while minimising heat damage.
Can a Wet-to-Dry Hair Straightener Cause Heat Damage?
I know what you’re thinking, using a straightener on wet hair has to be bad for your hair right? Well, as it turns out, these tools are actually quite kind to the hair. Because they use powerful airflow, they all work on pretty low heat settings meaning that heat damage is minimal. Most of the tools claim to cause no heat damage whatsoever, and although they definitely use a lot less heat than your typical hair dryer or straightener, they are still using some heat on the hair, so I would always recommend going in with your favourite heat protectant before using. “I’d recommend that you use the GHD Sleek Talker first onto damp hair; this will help to prevent frizz or humidity throughout the day and – most importantly – protect the hair from heat,” says Wilson.
More brands are now releasing wet-to-dry straightening tools.
Can a Wet-to-Dry Hair Straightener Work on All Hair Types?
Most wet-to-dry hair straighteners have been designed to work on all hair types, however the results may vary. As you’ll see below, we tested these tools on a range of different hair types and while those of us with naturally wavy hair achieved super sleek results, those of us with curlier hair types found that these worked best as more of a low-heat option for stretching hair before styling.
The Best Wet-to-Dry Hair Straighteners, Tried and Tested
1. GHD Duet
First up is the GHD Duet 2-In-1 Hot Air Styler. This tool came out in 2023 and took the beauty world by storm. It was the first 2-in-1 hot air styler that combined hot air and heated styling plates to dry and straighten your hair all in one. It uses Air-fusion™ technology, channelling concentrated airflow through a drying chamber and combining this with low temperature styling plates. Plus, it has infinity sensors to maintain this low styling temperature from root to tip. We asked our social media editor, Megan Storey, to put it to the test…
Before Using the GHD Duet
Using the GHD Duet
After Using the GHD Duet
The Verdict
“I am a low-maintenance beauty girl,” says Megan. “I know if I put the work in with the curly-girl hair method I could really embrace my natural curls, but I just don’t like spending that much time doing my hair. Enter, the GHD Duet. As soon as I tried it I messaged our beauty editor telling her it was going to change my life.
“I have very thick, frizzy, curly hair but I prefer wearing it straight. From the get-go, it was so easy to use, my hair went from wet (and already going curly) to super smooth and straight in 20 minutes, and it didn’t feel like I was frying my ends. I’ve honestly never seen my hair this sleek and shiny after my normal wash/blow-dry/straighten routine. I also love the Shine Shot setting that gives a glossy finish.
“If I were to have any hesitations it’d be the price (but honestly, I think it’s worth it for the time it’ll save me!) and I don’t think it could fully replace my straighteners, which I’ve still used in the following days since testing to tame any kinks.”
