Flat Iron Frenzy – Sedu vs. GHD

I’m going to shelve the CHI comparisons for a little while to shift my focus on to Sedu and GHD. Both irons receive high marks, so let’s see how they match up against one another based on styling, technology, material and cost. This entry serves as a shopping guide for each flat iron, rather than direct comparison.

This round features the Sedu Revolution styler vs. GHD IV styler.

Styler Defined

First off, it seems that lately most hair appliance companies are producing “stylers”. One might ask, what is a styler?

Stylers are a specific form of flat irons that are designed to not only straighten hair but also to curl, flip, wave, twist or whatever else you can imagine. Sedu features rounded plates and a rounder barrel, GHD offers a rounded barrel.

Since both the Sedu Revolution and GHD IV are stylers, one point for each.

Sedu - 1, GHD -1

Futuristic Favor

Both the Sedu and GHD claim to be the next wave of styling, but is one more technologically advanced than the other?

The Sedu Revolution’s big technology selling point is the Freestyle Guiding System, which features anti-slip edges which prevent hairs from slipping and snagging. This FGS also promotes the styling capability discussed in the section above. The Sedu also offers dual voltage for usage in a number of countries.

On the other hand, the GHD MK IV touts its safety functions, including sleep mode after 15 minutes, and automatic shut off after 30 minutes. Also, the GHD flat iron offers shiver mode to combat condensation in rooms less than 41 degrees. Plus, the GHD has universal voltage, making it ideal for heavy travelers.

The question remains, which is more advanced? The Sedu Revolution technology is more hair styling based while the GHD technology is safety-centered. Should you purchase styling over safety or safety over styling? It seems likely there’s an audience for both. This round is too close to call, another draw, and one point each.

Sedu – 2, GHD – 2

Make Up or Made Up

The materials used in flat irons seem to constantly be changing. Are the Sedu Revolution and GHD Mark IV identical, or can one outperform the other?

Both the Sedu and GHD are ceramic. However, that seems to where the similarities end.

The GHD is just ceramic, but the Sedu Revolution also includes tourmaline and nano technologies. The addition of these two other materials makes the Sedu Revolution more ionic than its GHD counterpart. Sedu wins this round.

Sedu – 3, GHD - 2

Cost and Review

I looked on Folica.com, because they sell both items as part of value packs complete with how-to DVDs and two-year warranties. The Sedu Revolution also includes a heat proof flat iron combo mat and pouch.

In terms of price, there’s about $100 dollars between both value packs. The Sedu Revolution 2009 edition retails for $139.95, while the GHD pack is going for $239.95. A pretty hefty price difference.

As far as reviews go, the Sedu Revolution pack has around 140 reviews, ranking at 4.63 out of 5. The GHD MK IV value pack has 30 reviews, and ranks 4.57 out of 5. Another close round, but this one goes to Sedu based on affordability and a slight edge in customer ranking.

Sedu – 4, GHD - 2
Final Say

Having compared the technologies, materials and cost of these stylers, I have to pick the Sedu Revolution. It seems to be more bang for your buck.

For more info on each brand, plus ordering information visit the Sedu and GHD homepages.

Hair Health - Thermal Styling Protection

Let’s talk about hair health. I think its common knowledge at this point that the environment, coloring, and heat styling can all damage hair. But it’s this last element that I want to focus on, damage from heat styling.

Obviously, applying heat to your hair everyday will eventually fry your strands, leaving them messy and injured. However, it’s easy to protect your hair while styling.

One of the latest hair trends is the heat protection sprays, with many flat iron companies, like CHI and FHI, producing their own protection sprays. The majority of these sprays contain a combination of proteins or herbs meant to shield hair from heat styling damage while improving hair’s shine and overall health. Here’s a rundown of some of the top heat protectants I researched.

1. FHI Heat Hot Sauce – This moisture-based protectant seeks to penetrate the hair follicle during heat styling, rather than simply coat the hair shaft. Using heat-activated jojoba crystals that dissolve into hair, the Hot Sauce formula also includes algae, shea butter, wheat protein, rosemary and witch hazel. Hot Sauce still contains alcohol and silicones, which many claim to cause further damage, but don’t seem to detract from the ultimate effect of the product.

In total, Hot Sauce received 4.24 out of 5 stars on Folica.com. Available in 2 oz. bottles for purchase from Folica.com and Stylebell.com, and other sites.

2. Sedu Moisturizing Heat Protecting Boost – Sedu offers several heat protecting boosts, but for the purposes of investigation, I’m choosing to only compare the moisturizing one. For normal to dry hair, the Moisturizing Heat Protecting Boost benefits from heat-activated Crodosone W wheat proteins, to infuse damaged hair with humidity resistant moisture to resist and repair damage. Downside, this boost may be a bit oily for certain hair types.

This Sedu Boost rates 4 out of 5 stars, and is available only from Folica.com in 8 ounce bottles.

3. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray – From the incredibly popular Farouk Systems, the creation of a thermal styling tool that combines ceramic technology with CHI quality. This spray intends to hydrate damaged hair from the inside out while increasing shine and luster. Some customers complain it rests a bit heavily on the hair, almost like hairspray – comes in an 8.5 ounce size.

Average rating is 3.54 out of 5 stars, available from Folica.com and BeautyChoice.com.

4. GHD Thermal Protector Spray – The GHD line is designed for hair types, offering heat protection for dry/coarse, normal to fine or weak/damaged hair. Each version comes in a 5.1 ounce bottle, and touts 50% extra protection during heat styling. All three contain sunflower seed oil and provide UVA protection against further damage up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Typical complaint is that the spray is bit stiff.

Receives mixed reviews, offers GHD name and expertise. Available for purchase from Folica.com and ShearUp.com.