Louise McSharry: From Dyson to GHD – the best hair-styling tools to put on your Christmas wish list (2024)

It’s an impossible question to answer. Firstly, what’s worth it to me might not be worth it to you. We all have different budgets, and it’s likely that someone who doesn’t think twice about spending big in general won’t mind forking out for a hair tool. Secondly, ‘worth it’ really depends on how much you care about what your hair looks like.

So, I can’t tell you if a hair tool is worth it, but I can tell you who it will work for. Today, I’m going to tell you about the hair tools everyone is talking about this Christmas in exactly those terms.

Curling Tong/Wand (GHD Curve Classic Curl Tong, €179 via brownthomas.com/Babyliss Titanium Brilliance Curls Tong, €59.99 via boots.ie) — A curling tong is ideal for someone who wants lasting curls or waves relatively quickly. Unless you have poker-straight hair, you don’t need a load of extra products or even much skill once you get the hang of it. The reason curling tongs are so effective, though, is because they get really hot, and regular use will damage your hair. If you’re not really worried about that, then you’ll love a curling tong.

Air Styling Tool (Dyson Airwrap from €449.99 via dyson.ie/Shark FlexStyle from €319.99 via petermark.ie) — These tools use technology which curls and styles the hair through a combination of air flow and temperature, meaning your hair is exposed to less heat. They also offer lots of different styling options through the interchangeable attachments, so can add volume and smoothness in a way other tools can not.

Patience is required in getting to grips with this tool, and users frequently complain that lots of styling product is required to get the style to last. If you’re someone who’s willing to put a lot of time and investment into your hair routine, you’ll get great results. If not, these are not for you. In terms of Dyson vs Shark? The Airwrap is superior in terms of design, but the Shark is equally good in terms of results. If the Airwrap is out of budget, you’ll still be happy with the Shark.

The Dyson Airstrait (€499.99 via dyson.ie) — This product is singular (for now), in that it dries and straightens the hair at the same time, and it works really well. Like the Airwrap, it uses airflow to style the hair, which cuts down on heat dramatically when you compare it to a hair straightener. It works quickly, and I find the results last really well. If you straighten your hair all the time, I think this is a great tool for you. If not, I probably wouldn’t bother to fork out the megabucks.

Ceramic Hot Brushes (Wavytalk Thermal Brush, €47.88 via amazon.co.uk)/Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush, €107.30 via cultbeauty.com) — These tools, for use on dry hair, rely entirely on heat to curl, smooth and add volume, but they do it really well. Yes, you will compromise in terms of damage, but if you have frizzy hair, a hot brush will tame it with relative ease. If you’re not overly concerned about your hair’s condition and just want to smooth it out for special occasions, you’ll love this.

Buying Irish

If there’s one thing the Irish beauty landscape is rich in, it’s false tan. Lots of people rely on a hint of sunshine from a bottle all year round, but even people like me, who aren’t regular users, can’t help but be tempted in the winter darkness. Bahama Body is the tanning range by Irish influencer Terrie McEvoy and Sosu Cosmetics. The range includes tanning liquid and mousse, as well as applicators, but my favourite product is Bahama Body Bronze Elixir (€13 via sosucosmetics.com) which blurs and covers imperfections on the body, but also leaves the skin looking dewy and golden.

Something old...

When I was growing up, all make-up artists ever talked about when it came to applying foundation was brushes. Then, there was a seismic shift, and all of a sudden everyone was using sponges. That shift happened because of the Beauty Blender (€20 via spacenk.com), a product so iconic that it launched a thousand dupes and became the ubiquitous term for make-up sponges. Honestly, it took me a long time to get on board but, these days, I believe that, for a flawless, lasting complexion, a make-up sponge is the best tool. The secret to great-looking make-up is light layers built to your desired result, and a damp Beauty Blender does that with ease. It’s almost impossible to overload product while using one and, as the name suggests, it’s also brilliant at blending other creams on the face.

... Something new

Real Techniques is a brand which made a name for itself via reasonably priced make-up brushes which performed like high-end tools. Its latest launch is the Makeupsaver Sponge (€13 via boots.ie), which was designed to solve the problem some people have with a beauty sponge soaking up product. This isn’t an issue you should be having if you dampen the sponge, as brands advise, but some people don’t and therefore the issue arises. The Makeupsaver Sponge is shaped like a traditional beauty sponge, but has two sides which use ‘fingerprint technology’ (eg a surface made to mimic the surface of the fingers) to prevent product absorption and allow you to apply your product as if you were using your fingers. I’m unclear as to why someone who has fingers would need to buy a sponge which mimics their fingers, so I won’t be picking this one up. However, Real Techniques’s range of traditional beauty sponges are excellent.