ghd Stylers vs L’Oreal Steampod Review

For many women, a good hair day involves shinny, sleek and straight hair that looks freshly blow-dried and healthy. And for a large part of us not genetically blessed with supermodel hair, hair straightening tools are a large part of our beauty routine. Founded in 2001, ghd is one of the most popular manufacturers of professional and premium consumer hair styling tools. However, their seemingly uncontested rule has lately been challenged by another product that is taking the market by storm: the L’Oreal Steampod. After having tested both of them on different types of hair, here is the ultimate ghd stylers vs L’Oreal Steampod review.

ghd Stylers vs L’Oreal Steampod Straighteners Review

L’Oreal Steampod

L’Oreal Steampod is a unique hair straightener that uses steam to style hair, similar to ironing. It can be paired with optional Keratin treatments like the Steampod Replenishing Smoothing Cream, which bonds keratin proteins to damaged hair for restoration. However, any quality heat protectant works well with the tool.

Design and Functionality

The steam technology adds bulk to the Steampod, making it heavier than the ghd Styler. It includes a water reservoir that needs to be filled with demineralized water to prevent clogs. While this adds weight, the steam-based styling delivers excellent results, especially for very curly, frizzy, or damaged hair. The outcome is smooth, sleek, and touchable hair that lasts until your next wash.

Hair Treatments and Benefits

The Steampod product line features serums and creams that repair hair, fix split ends, and enhance shine. These products are steam-activated, allowing better penetration into the hair. This makes the Steampod particularly beneficial for maintaining healthy hair during heat styling, especially for curly, frizzy, or natural hair types.

Performance and Temperature Control

The Steampod takes some time to start, as the water in the reservoir must heat up. It offers multiple temperature settings, which provide more control for some users but can also increase the risk of hair damage if used incorrectly.

Plate Size and Usability

The wide plates of the Steampod allow for quicker straightening sessions as more hair can be styled at once. However, the larger size makes it less convenient for straightening bangs or performing touch-ups. While it can create curls, it’s harder to maneuver than the ghd Styler, and styling the back of your hair is challenging due to the one-directional steam release.

ghd Stylers

ghd Stylers are a trusted classic, offering a wide range of heat straighteners to suit different budgets and hair types. Their versatility makes them a popular choice, though this can affect the price.

Design and Features

A major benefit of ghd Stylers is their lightweight and easy-to-handle design. The rotating cable allows for flexibility in creating various styles, and the stylers can be used in both directions. Additionally, all ghd Stylers use universal voltage, making them ideal for travelers.

Usage and Performance

Different ghd models cater to specific hair types, with thicker and curlier hair requiring more premium options. They heat up in under 30 seconds and feature an automatic shut-off for safety, making them convenient for busy routines. While long, thick hair takes longer to style, the tool’s lightness minimizes fatigue.

Durability of Styles

Although efficient, styles created with ghd Stylers may not last as long as those achieved with the Steampod. You might need to retouch your hair after a day or so.

Hair Protection and Technology

To minimize heat damage, it’s essential to use a heat protectant, maintain the temperature at 185 degrees, and avoid multiple passes on the same strand. Advanced models, like the Eclipse and Platinum Series, excel at evenly distributing heat and adapting to hair type, reducing breakage by up to 50%. However, unlike the Steampod, ghd Stylers do not provide a treatment-like effect during styling.

Steampod or ghd, which one to choose?

Both ghd and L’Oreal stylers are really good products, but sadly given the price-point is unlikely that you would be able to afford both. Which one to choose will depend on your particular circumstances and requirements.

Choose a ghd Straightener if

ghd Stylers are better suited to people who:

• Travel a lot, and want to be able to bring their stylers with them
• Want to create a variety of looks, not just straighten hair
• Have overall healthy hair which is not very damaged, unless you want to splurge for the Platinum series
• Have wavy or straight hair that isn’t very difficult to style
• Want a styler for touchups, or for styling a fringe for example

Choose L’Oreal Steampod if

The new L’Oreal Steampod is perfect for people who:

• Have damaged hair, and want to treat at the same time as they style
• Will be mostly using it at home, as it is not portable
• Want to create really smooth hairstyles than last
• Have very curly, frizzy hair (people with African American hair say they love it)
• Are trying to transition away from relaxed hair
• Have loads of hair, and not a lot of time to straighten it

Personally I find a good combination to be a small ghd styler such as the ghd V Gold Mini Styler for retouches and styling on the go, and the Steampod for quick, regular styling. Both the L’Oreal Steampod and any of the ghd Stylers range are a worthy investment that will help you keep healthy hair even when using heat styling regularly.

If you need to choose between ghd Stylers vs L’Oreal Steampod keep in mind that ghd straighteners are more versatile but less kind to hair, whereas the steampod is heavier and more difficult to get used to, but quite foolproof when creating straight hairstyles even on challenging hair and can be used to nurse damaged hair back to health.

What’s Next

Don’t miss our complete guide to having healthy hair!

0