GHD, known for transforming the hair styling game, has been a staple in many people’s beauty routines for over two decades.
However, a surprising number of users are still in the dark about what the acronym stands for.
The brand, stylised as ghd, became an essential tool for hairdressers and consumers alike after it was introduced to the UK market in 2001 by three innovative hairdressers who imported the technology from Korea.
As stated on GHD’s official website, the product “rapidly became the must-have styling tool.” Following its success, between 2003 and 2007, GHD expanded its reach globally, distributing its popular hair styling tools across Australia, South Africa, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, Germany, and France.
Despite becoming a well-known brand in households around the world, the ‘true’ meaning behind the GHD name remains a mystery to many. This was highlighted by TikTok users @ghdhair_anz during a Q&A session where they hit the streets to quiz the public. A video shows an employee quizzing passersby on what GHD stands for, with several admitting their ignorance. The answer, which may come as a surprise to some, is Good Hair Day.
Founded in Leeds by Martin Penny, Gary Douglas, and Robert Powls back in 2001, GHD now boasts its presence in 50,000 salons globally. The trio of hairstylists initially acquired the rights to a pioneering hair straightening iron from a South Korean inventor and have since grown their business to include a variety of products such as hair curlers, dryers, and other heated styling tools.
In a statement explaining their mission, the company expresses on their website: “‘Today, women around the world are more ambitious than ever before. And beauty is more important than it ever has been. Beautiful Ambition is a celebration of the amazing things women can achieve when they look and feel their most beautiful selves. We believe beauty fuels ambition, and ambition is beautiful.”
“We champion beauty, in all that we do, with one very clear purpose in mind: to empower all women so they can fulfil their every ambition. We are daring. We are ambitious. We are ghd.” However, it seems not everyone was aware of what the brand name stood for until ghdhair disclosed the meaning via an Instagram meme stating: “I’ve just found out ‘ghd’ means ‘good hair day’. Please tell me I’m not the only one or am I just stupid.”
This revelation elicited various reactions from social media users, with one commenting: “Omg no! Mind well and truly blown.” Another admitted: “I had no idea! ” A different user claimed: “I thought it was obvious.” Someone else expressed surprise stating: “I never knew this.” while another confessed: “Guess I just found out too.”