Copycat ghds

We've noticed more and more copycat stylers cropping up, especially now we're in the run-up to Christmas. Here are links to just a few:

http://www.hairstuffdirect.co.uk/

http://www.pinkstraighteners.co.uk/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Salon-Hair-Straighteners-Pink/dp/B00200YNZG/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254929183&sr=1-13

Mark Hill premium straighteners: on-sale in Boots

The most expensive styler sold in Boots, Mark Hill Straight and Smooth Ionic Ceramic Styler, is on promotion.

Down from £119.99 to just £59.99, this is the most expensive of four Mark Hill stylers which are all on sale at Boots currently.

http://www.boots.com/en/Mark-Hill-Straight-Smooth-Iconic-Ceramic-Styler_950312/

BaByliss pro nano straightener in Now magazine

Priced at just £15, these BaByliss straighteners have come 'recommended' by NOW magazine...

http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/star-style/beauty-tips/397067/small-and-mighty/1/

asos mini straighteners

asos are selling this hot-pink mini straightener for just £10.
There's no manufacturer detail available.

http://www.asos.com/Asos/Professional-Mini-Straightener/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=853347

Remington Beautini gift package - very similar to Precious

I spotted this Remington gift set in Boots today. It comprises a travel hairdryer and silver patterned mini straighteners which are strikingly similar to Precious. It comes in a black suede presentation box.

It's on offer online but wasn't reduced in-store:

http://www.boots.com/en/Remington-Beautini-Gift-Set_999954/?cm_re=Text-_-090909_220909-_-C9001_Link6&cm_sp=Save_50pc_on_remington_beautini_gift_set-_-090909_220909-_-C9001_Link6&cm_mmc_o=-uubkbzfwlCjCKww5kbELCjCvi%20i9%20niioCjCC

C9 launch to rival ghd

Cloud 9 straighteners have launched in the UK. There's lots of discussion online about whether they are better than ghd, with varying opinions.

Here's the official line: "Cloud nine hair irons have been specially designed to provide more style with less heat. In the past straightening irons worked by styling the hair with as much heat as possible by apply heat directly into the hair follicle to change its shape. The reality is that most styles can be created with less heat to create the style. By working at lower controllable temperatures cloud nine hair irons achieve this, not only with more control but avoiding unnecessary hair damage due to excess heat and the need to use a heat protection product. The technology was developed by the original creators of the GHD hair straighteners range; after a survey was carried out by their team they discovered that a selection of users would prefer a heat controllable hair iron. C9 Irons incorporate the latest ION technology with black plates which shine the hair on contact. They are available in standard, wide and micro to suit all hair types."

They look very similar to ghd, but with black plates - very sleek in appearance.

http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/7979-1254834108-latest-hair-straighteners-from-founders-of-ghd.html

http://www.stylehive.com/bookmark/from-the-founders-of-ghd-new-cloud-nine-hair-straighteners-772681

http://www.stylejunkee.com/2009/09/23/cloud-nine-hair-straightening-irons-the-next-big-thing-in-ghd-technology/#

http://www.dbhair.co.uk/cloud-nine-hair-straighteners.html#

Redken TRIBE party at KOKO

I spotted some very glam people walking up the red carpet at KOKO nightclub last night (handily across the street from RKCR), attending the brand’s TRIBE party.

Affiliated with Lee Stafford and Andrew Barton, the events showcase the latest styling talent with a catwalk show and “New York party atmosphere”. Tickets are paid-for and proceeds go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Some images from the event:
http://redkenevents.co.uk/tribe-09/
http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=393152&nbc1=1
http://www.life.com/image/91011283

Marie Claire supports Trevor Sorbie's initiative

Marie Claire this month features an article on Trevor Sorbie's charity, My New Hair.

Set up after a family member asked Trevor for help styling her wig after she had chemotherapy, the charity trains hairdressers across the country to advise women on how to style and maintain their wig. He has plans to take the scheme international.

The story headline is 'Would you feel like a woman without your hair?' and taps into the deep connection between your hair and your femininity. It's a great fit for the magazine, and good PR for the charity.

See www.mynewhair.org for more info

Pink mini BaByliss straightener

This mini styler got a mention in the Mirror supp style pages this weekend:

http://shopping.ninemsn.com.au/prices/babyliss-pro-mighty-mini-pink-ceramic-straightener/itemid29015665/?itemtext=itemname:babyliss-pro-mighty-mini-pink-ceramic-straightener

TIGI uses social networking

TIGI have launched within a range of social networks, such as MySpace and YouTube.

The MySpace page is weird; they have 1000s of celebrity friends, the wall posts are all "I love Bed Head!" and there's very little interesting here. There is the option to regiser for a newsletter, but no incentive offered.

http://www.tigihaircare.com/consumer/en-US/socialnetworks/default.asp

TIGI launches Rockaholic range

TIGI have launched a new range, Rockaholic. This is in addition to the Bed Head and Catwalk ranges.

Using rock music as an influence, the range is edgier than the others - focussing on high impact styles and incorporating a dry shampoo. Very rock chick!

http://www.tigihaircare.com/consumer/en-US/rockaholic/default.asp

Straightener amnesty review

Hosted by PR agency, Mission Media, the straightener amnesty has big ambitions.

The campaign slogan 'Reject the convention that straight is the only way to be' works as a banner to a wider campaign for the Curl Friends styling range. Encouraging girls to exchange their straighteners is a nice touch, but it seems that this could be part of a much bigger campaign around confidence....

A quote from the press release:
"Straighten your hair everyday to hide your natural curls? Talk badly about your curls and see them as a nuisance? Stop!"

Curls over straight - the battle commences

Umberto Giannininare launching their new curling tongs by challenging girls to hand in their straignteners in an amnesty. Held at the Covent Garden salon tomorrow all you need to do is take in your old straighteners and in exchange you recieve a pair of new tongs plus a goodie bag of Curl Friends styling products. I'll be there!

http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/384439/get-free-umberto-giannini-curling-tongs-tomorrow.html

Nicky Clarke launches new styling iron

Nicky Clarke has launched a new styling iron, called desiRED.

Sold in Boots and Argos, priced at £89, the straighteners heat up to 230 degrees - making them the hottest on the market.

http://blog.compareghd.com/nicky-clarke-desired-hair-straighteners-ghd-251.html

Initial reviews online show that ghd loyalists refuse to be swayed. Consumer research published by desiRED is very shaky; of 100 respondents, 57% prefered desiRED once they had been informed of the brand and price (by comparison to ghd).