ghd

Founded in Leeds, United Kingdom, in January 2001, Good Hair Day (ghd) was conceived by Martin Penny, Gary Douglas, Susan Powls, and Robert Powls. The quartet teamed up to purchase the rights to a hair straightening iron from an inventor in South Korea, a move that set the stage for the company's success​​. Initially, ghd was designed to cater to the needs of professional hairstylists who required a high-tech tool for hair straightening. The product was so well-crafted that it quickly became a hit among UK hair professionals who began selling the tool to their clients. By two years in, hair salons had purchased £12 million worth of stock, significantly outperforming a forecast of between £3 million and £4 million​​.

In 2004, the company's expansion into the North American market significantly boosted its sales, contributing to a global sales total of £37 million for that year. The growing brand and its lucrative prospects attracted the attention of investors. In 2006, The Jemella Group, which owned the ghd brand, was bought by Lloyds Development Capital for £55 million. Less than a year later, it was sold to Montagu Private Equity for £160 million, and then again in 2013 to Lion Capital, a British private equity firm, for approximately £300 million. By 2016, ghd's value had reached an estimated £420 million, leading to its purchase by Coty​.

Throughout its history, ghd has consistently innovated and expanded its product line. Following the success of their initial hair straightener, the company developed a series of stylers, hairdryers, and curling tongs. Notable product launches include the V Gold Series Styler in 2011, the Air Professional Hairdryer in 2012, and the "Eclipse" hair straightener in 2013. The latter's consistent temperature functionality reduced the time required to style hair, a feature particularly useful for coarse hair that might have previously required multiple run-throughs​.

ghd's brand visibility was boosted through a series of high-profile partnerships and endorsements. The brand has been a sponsor of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and in 2011, pop superstar Katy Perry became the face of ghd, featuring prominently in the "Scarlet Collection" campaign​​.

One of the keys to ghd's success has been its commitment to research and development (R&D). The company has been a leader in the use of technology and data in its product development, adding sensors within many of its stylers to better understand how customers use its hair tools. This focus on R&D has led to the creation of the world's first lab dedicated to the thermal manipulation of hair in Cambridge, and the establishment of 'hubs' in various locations worldwide, including LA, London, Shanghai, Spain, and Italy, where new innovations are introduced to local customers as early in the development process as possible​​.

ghd's commitment to innovation culminated in the launch of the ghd Unplugged, its first cordless hair straightener, in 2023. Developed over nearly six years, this product features hybrid co-lithium technology and hair-safe dual-zone ceramic plates. It heats up to the optimal temperature of 185 degrees and charges in just two hours, providing the power and performance of a corded styler without the limitation of a cord​.

Today, ghd is the number one stylist-recommended and consumer-preferred brand in all of its key markets, including Europe, Australia and US.