The Beauty Diary by Rebekah Scanlan: Review of ghd Oracle

It’s been six years in the making and cost over $9 million to produce — but is the latest hair styling gadget worth the its mega price tag?

If you’ve spent years trying to master the perfect curl using a straightener and failed miserably, you’re not alone.

While any straightening tool can be transformed into a curling wand, you fall into one of two categories when it comes to mastering the technique behind it. You’re either a curl creating whiz kid or just totally useless. I’m definitely the latter.

I’ve lost count of how many YouTube tutorials I’ve watched, desperately trying to absorb the magic wrist-flicking method used by those who #cancurl.

Despite this, I never improved. Neither did these social media users.

No matter how hard a try I cannot do a Ghd curl :-(

— Eve (@evetaaylorx) October 9, 2015

Think it's time to accept that no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to curl my hair with my GHD's 😔 #hairdressermadeitlookeasy

— Lorna (@LornaColdwell) October 5, 2014

Girly tweet! I'm rubbish at curling my hair!Anyone got any recommendations or tips on how to get big bouncy curls?I struggle with GHD's too!

— Lynne (@Lynneontheradio) January 20, 2014

So when ghd announced they had created an exciting new product especially for those who struggle to curl with a straightener, I got excited. Especially as there’s no complicated spinning of the tool involved, just a simple sounding clamp and pull.

Ludovic Dellazzeri, managing director for ghd Australia and New Zealand, told The Beauty Diary the ghd Oracle was created as a result of listening to what consumers actually wanted — and ghd spent a cool $9.5 million developing the technology over a six-year period.

The new ghd Oracle — a curling tool without any difficult training required almost sounds too good to be true. Picture: Supplied

“We wanted to produce an option that creates multiple looks while maintaining hair health and allowing for versatility of use,” Mr Dellazzeri said.

“The ghd research and development team dedicated years to the patented breakthrough curl-zone technology which combines a unique shape, the styling power of heat and the setting effect of cooling.”

He added the snazzy device worked on all hair types and boasted it gave users “curls that stay”.

But it’s not just Mr Dellazzeri who is raving about the tool — which unlike other hair curlers doesn’t involve wrapping your hair around it.

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PUTTING THE GHD ORACLE TO THE TEST

I have to admit, despite my initial flutter of excitement when I heard about it, I was actually pretty sceptical. Not because I doubted its curling ability, but because my fine hair can’t hold onto a curl for love nor money. And talking of money, it cost $340 — so could I justify spending that amount of cash on something that may prove useless?

Luckily, I was invited to have a play on the product by ghd at a salon in Bondi. While it may sound like a VIP experience, education is part of the process of buying an Oracle for everyone. The tool can only be purchased from salons, as the brand wants customers to receive a lesson in using it before anyone takes it home.

On the day it was super windy outside, so after my hair had been styled in KODA Cutters, I didn’t really hold out much hope.

But after battling on public transport and through the gale-force winds of Sydney that day, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked through the door and the curls were still intact.

I still wasn’t completely sold, though. A common sentence I hear whenever I treat myself to a wavy blow out is: “You’ll get a couple of days wear out of this.”

Yeah, nah. Not on my locks. Lasting a night without my curls dropping out would be a miracle. Let alone sleeping in them.

But the following morning, there were still heaps of bouncy waves intact, I’d estimate around 80 per cent. I was definitely taken aback. I only needed to go over the strands of hair that framed my face and my ’do was restored.

COULD I RECREATE THE CURL AT HOME?

While it was all well and good when a professional hairdresser used the tool on my hair (thanks Steph), but could I do it myself?

“You can create endless curls with just a slight tilt of the hand. It’s a revolution in styling,” Mr Dellazzeri told news.com.au

“Not only that but the curl-zone technology means that it’s impossible to burn yourself while styling your hair, ensuring a fear-free and comfortable experience for women. Something they have been desperately waiting for and dreaming of.”

The look on my face says it all. I'm definitely dubious. Picture: Supplied

Hmm, he clearly hasn’t met me.

But I followed the instructions I’d been taught at the salon, separating my hair into sections, holding the tool logo facing towards the mirror and gliding down — and again, I was surprised. There was a lush, bouncy curl.

One thing I will say is I’ve found a few rogue strands that often get caught when pulling, which can be a little painful.

THREE STEPS TO AN EFFORTLESS CURL

STEP ONE: Grab a section of hair, then take your Oracle with the logo facing forwards and place it at the root of the hair.

STEP TWO: Rotate the tool 90 degrees and slowly pull down away from your head to the ends of your hair.

STEP THREE: Take the curl and twist it around your finger. Repeat technique around your whole head.

THE RESULTS:

That's my happy face. Honest. Picture. Supplied

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