GH Institute

All Grooming

• 
  Review of E>One IPL system

  Features

  Corded. Application window size: 6x6cm. Six second flash frequency. Lamp lifecycle: 3000 flashes. Five skin type settings. Four hair type settings. Unsuitable for white hair or very dark skin. Can be used everywhere except near the eyes. Supplied with marking plate, cleaning spray, marking pen, optical gel, patches, sharpener, protective glasses. Eight colours available. Replacement lamp available for £90.

  Comments

  Good points: Clear instructions and useful accessories provided, such as the white pen to mark areas to target. Dark glasses are reassuring and cleaning spray effective. The head is easy to use on small and uneven areas. Worked brilliantly on face, underarms and bikini line, hair needing a single touch up once a month or longer depending on area.

  Drawbacks: Bulky to store. Charges between each flash which makes it time consuming to use on the legs.

  Rating: 70/100

  Price: £1299

  Stockist: 0203 036 0800 - http://www.eswin.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - March 2011

• 
  Review of Philips Lumea IPL system

  Features

  Cordless. 1 ½ hour recharge. Application window size: 3 x 3cm. Three to five second flash frequency. Lamp lifecycle: 40 000 flashes. Five skin type settings. Unsuitable for white, red, grey and light blonde hair, very dark or sun tanned skin. Unsuitable for facial areas. Supplied with storage pouch, cleaning cloth and demo DVD.

  Comments

  Good points:  Cordless design makes it easy to reach most parts of the body. Simple to operate. Easy to use in bikini area. Compact to store. Long lasting results compared to waxing.

  Drawbacks: Small head makes it time consuming to use on legs. A little awkward to use on knee areas.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price: £399

  Stockist: 0845 601 0354 - http://www.philips.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - March 2011

• 
  Review of Remington ILight IPL5000

  Features

  Corded. Application window size: 3 x 3cm. Two second flash frequency. Lamp lifecycle: 1500 flashes. Five skin type settings. Unsuitable very dark or sun tanned skin. Unsuitable for facial areas. Supplied with three bulbs. Additional lamp available for £25.

  Comments

  Good points: Results started to show after about two weeks with hair growing back patchier. Painless to use on legs. Hair definitely thinned on bikini and underarm areas, needing only one a week / fortnight top up. Quick to use. Overall pleasing results

  Drawbacks: Occasionally get cord caught up with handset. Laser head is hard to press against uneven areas such as knees. Very slow to use on legs and hard to see which areas had been treated leading to some patches being missed as legs are shaved first in preparation. Slight discomfort on underarms and bikini line. Unit head rather large to use with ease on bikini line.

  Rating: 58/100

  Price: £299.99

  Stockist: 01784 411411 - http://www.remington-europe.com

  GHI Test Report - March 2011

• 
  Review of Boots Smooth Skin IPL system

  Features

  Corded. Application window size: 3 x 3cm. 6 second flash frequency. Lamp lifecycle: 10 000 flashes. Three skin type settings. Unsuitable for red, grey or white hair, very dark or sun tanned skin. Can be used everywhere except near the eyes. Supplied with activator gel.

  Comments

  Good points: Quick and easy to use on underarms and bikini line. Hair growth notably slowed.

  Drawbacks: Time consuming to use on the legs, head size is quite small and back of knees hard to reach. Top up treatment needed about once a week / fortnight.

  Rating: 62/100

  Price: £324.99

  Stockist: 08450 708090 - http://www.boots.com

  GHI Test Report - March 2011

• 
  Review of Remington S9500 Pearl Hair Straightener

  Features

  10 heat settings. Swivel cord. Maximum temperature: 235˚. 267g. Flex length: 292cm. Guarantee: 5 years. Accompanied accessories: heat proof pouch and mat. Auto switch off after 60 minutes.

  Comments

  Good points: Very easy to use. 10 different temperature settings so user has ultimate control. Excellent results on hair; glided through easily and reached roots well. Quick to heat to maximum temperature, took just 30 seconds. Useful accessories supplied. Plates can be locked for safety. Button lock to stop the chance of accidentally switching settings. Clear digital LCD display showing temperature.

  Rating: 93/100

  Price: £79.99

  Stockist: 01784 411 411 - http://www.remington-europe.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

  
  

• 
  Review of Cloud Nine Iron Hair Straightener

  Features

  6 heat settings. Black ceramic plates. Swivel Cord. Maximum temperature: 200˚. 254g. Flex length: 290cm. Guarantee: 2 years. Accompanied accessories: iron heat guard, carry pouch, two pin Euro plug. Auto switch off after 30 minutes of no use. Universal voltage. Indicators: ready to use, on.

  Comments

  Good points: Very easy to use. 6 different temperature settings so user has ultimate control. Excellent results on hair; glided through easily and reached roots well. Quick to heat to maximum temperature, took just 30 seconds. Useful accessories supplied. Plates can be locked for safety. Detailed instructions. Drawbacks: Casing over plates gets quite hot, care needed.

  Rating: 93/100

  Price: £129.95

  Stockist: 0845 026 7121 - http://www.cloudninehair.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of ghd IV Styler Hair Straightener

  Features

  1 heat setting. Ceramic plates. Swivel cord. Maximum temperature: 185˚. 268g. Flex length: 254cm. Guarantee: 2 years. Accompanied accessories: N/A. Auto switch off after 30 minutes of no use. Indicators: On and ready to use.

  Comments

  Good points: Very easy to use. Excellent results on hair; glided through hair easily and reached roots well. Quick to heat to maximum temperature, took just 20 seconds.

  Drawbacks: Only one temperature setting. No safety - lock for plates. Instructions a little vague.

  Rating: 88/100

  Price: £99

  Stockist: 0845 330 1133 - http://www.ghdhair.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of VO5 Heat Defence Ionic Hair Straightener

  Features

  5 heat settings. Swivel cord. Maximum temperature: 230˚. 308g. Flex length: 302cm. Guarantee: 3 years. Accompanied accessories: N/A. Auto switch off. Indicator: On.

  Comments

  Good points: Detailed instructions.

  Drawbacks: Had to pass straightener through hair a few times before satisfactory results were reached. No ready indicator. Controls not overly accessible.

  Rating: 63/100

  Price: £59.99

  Stockist: 0845 609 0055 - http://www.boots.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of BaByliss Pro 230 Straight and Curl Hair Straightener

  Features

  10 heat settings. Swivel cord. Maximum temperature: 230˚. 236g. Flex length: 299cm. Guarantee: 5 years. Accompanied accessories: mat, 4 easy grip sectioning clips. Auto switch off.

  Comments

  Good points: 10 different temperature settings so user has ultimate control. Useful accessories supplied.

  Drawbacks:  Had to pass straightener through hair a few times before satisfactory results were reached. Didn't pass through hair smoothly. Controls are easily knocked when straightener is in use. No ready indicator.

  Rating: 57/100

  Price: £49.99

  Stockist: 0800 496 1081 - http://www.amazon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Corioliss Baby SXE travel straighteners

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  1 setting, Titanium plated,  Swivel cord,  Universal voltage. Weight; 119g, flex length 191cm, max temp 175°C , 1.24 minutes to heat to maximum.  

  Comments

  Good finish, iron need to be passed through hair a few times to achieve a style, but passed through hair smoothly. Gave quick results.

  Rating: 70/100

  Price: £34.99

  Stockist: 0127 3711231 - http://www.corioliss.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of John Lewis Mini Hair Straighteners (part of a set)

  Features

     

  1 setting,  Ceramic plates, storage bag and heat pad,  Universal voltage, weight; 100g, flex length 174cm, max temp 164°C, 1.12 minutes to heat to maximum.

   

  Comments

  Easy to use and comfortable, needs to pass over hair a few times to achieve results, a bit to small for someone with a lot of hair, it would take a very long time to straighten a whole head of hair.  Good for touch ups.

  Rating: 62/100

  Price: £25

  Stockist: 08456 049049 - http://www.johnlewis.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Remington Straightini S2880

  Features

  1 setting,  Teflon Coated plates, heat pouch,  Universal voltage, weight; 100g, flex length; 177cm, max temp; 166°C, 1.20 minutes to heat to maximum.

  Comments

  Uncomfortable design, short handle make it difficult to control. Makes poor contact with but can reach the roots of your hair easily.

  Rating: 53/100

  Price: £29.99

  Stockist: 0800 212438 - http://www.uk.remington-europe.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Go Design travel hair straighteners

  Features

  1 setting,  Ceramic coated,  Swivel cord,  Universal voltage, Heat resistant cover, weight; 170g, flex length; 171cm,   max temp; 135 °C

  Comments

  Straighteners to do not reach high enough temperatures to style hair. Good size plates but do not make enough contact with hair. 

  Rating: 53/100

  Price: £18.99

  Stockist: 0208 9068505 - http://www.design-go.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Marks and Spencer's travel straighteners

  Features

  1 setting,  Ceramic coated, swivel cord,  Universal voltage, weight; 205g flex length 176cm, max temp 133°C

  Comments

  Very uncomfortable to hold, lots of grooves and bumps on handle. Handle gets very hot but plates don't heat up enough.

  Rating: 43/100

  Price: £15

  Stockist: 0845 6031603 - http://www.marksandspencer.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Silva Exercise 4 Life pedometer

  Features

  H3.6cm x W4.6cm x D2.5cm. Records steps and distance (miles or km). Carry strap. Belt clip. Six-step filter.

  Comments

  Good points: A tiny device with excellent step accuracy on all tests. The filter stops any accidental readings, by only registering when six continuous steps have been taken. Ideal for a novice, this model just records steps and distance in either miles or kilometres.

  Rating: 81/100

  Price: £14.95

  Stockist: 01506 406277 - http://www.silva.ltd.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

  
  

• 
  Review of Omron Walking Style One pedometer

  Features

  H5.4cm x D2.5cm round. Records steps, aerobic steps, distance (km), calories, fat burned and current time. Belt clip. Four-second filter. Seven day memory. Battery-saving mode.

  Comments

  Good points: Records a good deal of useful information. Split screen shows the current time in addition to any other mode selected. Useful battery saving feature which switches off after five minutes of inactivity. Close to full marks for step accuracy, no readings are taken until it has been used continuously for four seconds. Readings for seven days are held and can easily be scrolled through using one of the two control buttons.

  Drawbacks: Readings cannot be reset manually but revert to zero the next day.

  Rating: 75/100

  Price: £19.95

  Stockist: 0800 3286512 - http://www.omron-healthcare.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Silva Ex3 Plus pedometer

  Features

  H3.0cm x W5.4cm x D1.2cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories, and current time. Timer. Neck strap. Ten-second filter. Seven- day memory. Step barometer.

  Comments

  Good points: Worth the extra if you want a more sophisticated device. It can be slipped into a pocket or hung round a neck and it can take readings hanging in any direction provided it doesn't swing. The screen is surprisingly large and clear for such a compact model and the digits switch round so you can read them from either side. Generally accurate counting.

  Drawbacks: Slightly over-counted on one test. The step barometer, is designed to show you your daily average, but is a bit of a gimmick in our opinion.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price: £29.95

  Stockist: 01506 406277 - http://www.silva.ltd.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer

  Features

  H4.0cm x W5.0cm x D2.2cm. Records steps, distance (miles), calories. Carry strap. Belt clip. Protective lid.

  Comments

  Good points: A simple to use and compact model. Useful calorie chart is displayed on the inside of the lid. The clear screen can be viewed while still attached to waistband or belt.

  Drawbacks: The distance preference for miles or kilometres must be nominated when purchasing. It slightly over-counted on two of the tests. The belt clip is stiff to use and the lid quite stiff to open. Lack of filter means it takes readings if knocked or shaken.

  Rating: 71/100

  Price: £19.99

  Stockist: 0845 868 1886 - http://www.digiwalker.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Omron Walking Style II pedometer

  Features

  H6.6cm x W5.0cm x D2.0cm. Records steps, aerobic steps, distance (km), calories, fat burned, current time. Carry strap. Removable belt clip. Four-second filter. Seven-day memory.

  Comments

  Good points: A versatile model which can be attached to a belt or kept in a pocket. It can take readings in any position. The clear split screen can show two modes at a time.  Readings for seven days are held and can be scrolled through easily. More accurate for longer periods of walking.

  Drawbacks: Slight over-reading on short journeys. Readings cannot be reset manually but revert to zero the next day.

  Rating: 66/100

  Price: £24.99

  Stockist: 0800 328 6512 - http://www.omron-healthcare.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Yamax Digi-Walker CW-701 pedometer

  Features

  H4.7cm x W6.0cm x D2.8cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories, current time. Timer. Wrist strap. Belt clip. Seven-day memory.

  Comments

  Good points: Bulkier than some models tested. The screen can be read while still attached to the belt. The split screen shows two modes of information at a time. It has a useful calorie counting chart inside the lid.

  Drawbacks: The distance preference for miles or kilometres must be nominated when purchasing. Inaccurate readings for two of the tests. Lack of filter means it takes readings if knocked or shaken. The belt clip is stiff to use. The lid is stiff to open. The instructions don't say how or where to attach the wrist strap.

  Rating: 64/100

  Price: £23.99

  Stockist: 0845 868 1886 - http://www.digiwalker.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Timex T5E011 pedometer

  Features

  H4.0cm x W6.3cm x D3.0cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories. Belt clip. Protective lid.

  Comments

  Good points: A slim-line model which clips easily on to a belt or waistband and the large screen can be read while still attached to waist. A very clear screen with large digits which are really easy to reset.

  Drawbacks: Over-recorded steps on all tests and lack of filter means it easily reads steps when knocked or jogged.

  Rating: 59/100

  Price: £9.99

  Stockist: 0208 326 6900 - http://www.timex.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Tanita PD637 pedometer

  Features

  H4.7cm x W7.0cm x 3.0cm. Records steps, distance (km), calories. Step pacer. Timer. Belt clip. Protective lid.

  Comments

  Good points: Records lots of useful information and has a pacer function to set a rhythm for fast walking or jogging. It has a clear screen and the lid contains a useful quick reference guide. It can be viewed while still attached to the waist.

  Drawbacks: Rather bulky. The lack of filter means it easily counts steps when knocked or shaken. Step recording was inaccurate for all tests, consistently over-counting by an average of eight steps.

  Rating: 48/100

  Price: £12.95

  Stockist: 0845 049 049 - http://www.johnlewis.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Fitbug pedometer

  Features

  H6.6cm x W5.0cm x D2.0cm. Records steps, aerobic steps, distance (kms), calories, fat burned and current time. Belt clip. Four-second filter. Seven-day memory. Battery-saving mode.

  Comments

  Good points: Differs from others by the use of a subscription based website to show you your weekly progress. Feedback is given by email and text. Relatively easy to set up and acts as a useful guide when aiming for the recommended 10,000 steps a day.

  Drawbacks: the pedometer supplied is more accurate over longer distances. The website could be more user friendly

  Rating: 47/100

  Price: £7

  Stockist: 0870 228 4949 - http://www.fitbug.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Gaiam Walking Fit Kit pedometer

  Features

  H7.2cm x W5.6 x D3.1cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories and current time. Timer. Belt clip. Panic alarm. LED torch. Walking workout CD.

  Comments

  Good points: More useful as a panic alarm.

  Drawbacks: Bulky. Over-counted by an average of 15 steps each time. It has too many controls to make it simple to use and the lack of filter means it easily records steps when it is even lightly knocked.

  Rating: 37/100

  Price: £17.95

  Stockist: 0845 049 049 - http://www.johnlewis.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009