MDLondon Strait hair straightener review

MDLondon is a brand new hair care model from celeb hairstylist Michael Douglas. It was launched after his on-line hair clinic periods throughout lockdown satisfied him that there was nonetheless area within the shopper market for prime quality hair styling instruments.

The model has to this point launched the intelligent and compact Blow hair dryer (you possibly can learn our overview to seek out out extra) and the matching Strait hair straightener, which we’re reviewing on this article.

Design & Construct

• Light-weight
• No lock for tongs
• Comes with heatproof mat that doubles as cowl

Whereas the design of the Blow hair dryer is markedly completely different from different standard hair dryers, the straightener seems far more acquainted. It has a really related construct to fashions from GHD and different manufacturers. But when that’s what works, why change it?

At 30cm from finish to finish and nearly 3cm extensive, the Strait’s tongs are longer and narrower than many rivals. Its ceramic plates mirror this form, at 11 x 2.2cm. As compared, the GHD Gold has shorter, barely wider plates at 9 x 2.6cm. The benefit of longer plates is that they will accommodate extra hair, however their narrowness means the hair gained’t be uncovered to warmth for as lengthy.  

For some hair varieties, this may occasionally imply you’re much less more likely to obtain the dream of one-pass styling.

The obvious visible distinction between the Strait and opponents is its color. The Strait is available in two color choices, olive inexperienced and a muted blue (which we’re testing) with gold plates, buttons and accents. Both color is a extra engaging and complicated possibility than secure and boring black.

Altogether, the Strait seems and feels prime quality, with good detailing: that’s particularly notable given its value level. It has a matt, silicone coating that feels nice however does choose up fingerprints in case you have hair product in your palms. It’s straightforward to wipe down, nevertheless.

It weighs solely 215g (minus twine and plug), with a 3m lengthy, swivel-set twine. It’s gentle within the hand in use and the lengthy twine offers you loads of leeway when utilizing it, but it surely’ll greater than double its weight (435g) for packing.

There’s no lock to carry the tongs closed, which is one thing I wish to see, particularly for travelling.  

However in a intelligent contact, the heatproof mat that comes with the straightener will be wrapped across the hair device and secured for secure storage and packing. It’s a pleasant concept however I’d nonetheless ensure it cools down first: the mat can shift round a bit, so that you may nonetheless get a burnt fingertip if rummaging in your bag.

Whereas a number of different manufacturers have floating plates with an nearly spongy really feel whenever you press them, these on the Strait don’t have as a lot give. I didn’t discover that this affected its efficiency, but it surely’s value noting if this can be a function you want.

The Strait has an computerized shut off after half-hour. This can be a good function and higher than the hour it takes another manufacturers to change off, however I’d nonetheless want this security function to kick in additional shortly.

The Strait is properly boxed in all-recyclable packaging and the heatproof mat comes as normal.

Efficiency & Options

• 11 warmth setting choices
• Digital show
• Quick heating

The Strait has three buttons for management. There’s an On/Off button, one to regulate the temperature up and one to regulate it down. They’re small buttons, set into the facet of the straightener and a few folks may discover them a bit fiddly.

Swap it on and it heats up shortly: it’ll attain 180°C in 36 seconds. You’ll be capable of see the the numbers climb on the digital show. There’s no beep to warn you when it reaches its goal temperature, nevertheless.

Emma Rowley / Foundry

One of many Strait’s finest options is its alternative of temperature settings. There are a whopping eleven choices, in ten diploma increments, from 130-230°C. It means you will get the temperature excellent to your hair kind and styling wants.

This isn’t one thing provided by all straighteners – even prime quality ones. GHD, for instance, has determined that the right temperature for straightening is 185°C, and that’s what you’ll get if you happen to purchase most fashions. In the meantime, the Dyson Corrale has three temperature choices.

However what in case your hair wants extra warmth? Or much less? One of many helpful issues concerning the Strait was with the ability to apply it to a low warmth setting to clean hair the day after straightening and return it to a silky model with out subjecting it to excessive warmth two days in a row.

In use, the Strait is gentle and straightforward to manoeuvre. Because the tongs had been a bit of longer than on some opponents, I did discover that I used to be holding them nearer to the highest with a purpose to get the identical management. I by no means burned myself but it surely did make me determine I’d ideally want shorter tongs.

After some experimentation, I discovered that 190°C was one of the best temperature for day one styling. I used to be by no means in a position to obtain good, one-pass, straight hair but it surely was comfortably as efficient as most rivals. And, as soon as straight, my hair held the model nicely.

Worth & Availability

The MDLondon Strait is competitively priced at £109. That makes it far more inexpensive that the majority of our really helpful buys in our round-up of one of the best hair straighteners we’ve examined. The GHD Original, for instance, prices £129 and that doesn’t have a alternative of temperature settings.

We expect the Strait is sweet worth, and value it, particularly if you’re shopping for it to match a Blow hair dryer.

You should buy the Strait direct from MDLondon or from Harvey Nichols. On the time of writing, there’s no value benefit from shopping for from both retailer, but when there are offers out there round Black Friday, you’re most certainly to seek out them on MDLondon.

Must you purchase the Strait hair straightener?

There are many good hair straighteners available on the market and the Strait just isn’t providing something distinctive. However what units it aside is its value level. It’s excellent worth, particularly given its alternative of temperature settings and trendy color choices.