A handheld appliance includes a user operable button, a switch and an actuator including an arm extending between the button and the switch wherein the button has three linearly spaced positions each position corresponding to a different state for the switch. The arm may include a surface adapted to engage with the switch. The switch may include a lever and the lever is moved by contact with the surface. The lever may have a first position and a second position. The second position of the lever may be a neutral position where the lever is not in contact with the surface. When the lever is in the first position, the surface may engage with the lever. The lever may be housed within a recess of the arm. The switch may comprise a first switch and a second switch which may be longitudinally spaced.

We describe a hair styling apparatus and method of heating a ceramic heater in a hair styling apparatus, the ceramic heater comprising a ceramic layer and a heating element thermally coupled to said ceramic layer, the method comprising: heating the ceramic layer in at least two successive phases, wherein in a first phase the ceramic layer is heated at a first rate of heating to a first temperature; pausing the heating of said ceramic layer at the first temperature; and wherein in a second phase the ceramic layer is heated at a second rate of heating from the first temperature to a second temperature.

An appliance for shaping fibrous material where when the applicance is in the closed position, the portion of the fibrous material received between the first inner face and the second inner face can receive light energy from the light source and heat energy from the heating element. Also a method, use and kit.

An appliance for shaping fibrous material where when the applicance is in the closed position, the portion of the fibrous material received between the first inner face and the second inner face can receive light energy from the light source and heat energy from the heating element. Also a method, use and kit.

An appliance for shaping fibrous material where when the appliance is in the closed position, the portion of the fibrous material received between the first inner face and the second inner face can receive light energy from the light source and heat energy from the heating element. Also a method, use and kit.

An appliance for shaping fibrous material where when the appliance is in the closed position, the portion of the fibrous material received between the first inner face and the second inner face can receive light energy from the light source and heat energy from the heating element. Also a method, use and kit.

An appliance for shaping fibrous material where when the applicance is in the closed position, the portion of the fibrous material received between the first inner face and the second inner face can receive light energy from the light source and heat energy from the heating element. Also a method, use and kit.

An appliance for shaping fibrous material where when the applicance is in the closed position, the portion of the fibrous material received between the first inner face and the second inner face can receive light energy from the light source and heat energy from the heating element. Also a method, use and kit.

In a hair styling apparatus and method, a first arm has a heating element and a contact plate heatable by the heating element and having a hair-contact surface. At least one temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the heating element. A controller is operable to determine whether the hair styling apparatus is in an opened position or a closed position and is communicatively coupled to the at least one temperature sensor. The controller is operable to control the temperature of the heating element by: when the hair styling apparatus is in its closed position, energizing the heating element when the sensed temperature falls below a first threshold temperature, and when the hair styling apparatus is in its opened position, energizing the heating element when the sensed temperature falls below a second threshold temperature. The second threshold temperature is higher than the first threshold temperature.

A haircare appliance is provided for detecting a hair moisture content. The haircare appliance includes a processing element, at least one light emitting element emitting at least two wavelengths, and a sensor element, wherein the light emitting element is adapted to irradiate a portion of hair to be treated. The sensor element is adapted to receive a sensor reading from an acquisition region of the irradiated hair and generate a sensor signal dependent on the sensor reading, and includes a spectral sensor element. The processing element is adapted to determine a moisture content of at least the irradiated portion of the hair from the sensor signal.