Haircare appliance with automatic mode change

A handheld haircare appliance 100 comprises a proximity sensor arrangement 106 to detect the presence or absence of a passive element 102 external to the handheld haircare appliance. The handheld haircare appliance is arranged to operate in at least two modes of operation and is arranged to transition between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation dependent on the detected presence or absence of the passive element (102). The first mode of operation may be a regular operation mode, and the second mode may be a reduced functionality or stand-by mode. The passive element may be a stand, pad or mat to receive the appliance. The passive element may comprise an RFID tag or a magnet 104 which is detected by the proximity sensor arrangement. A further accelerometer 120 may be present in the appliance which can detect when there is no movement and change the mode of operation. The appliance may be battery powered and the passive element 102 may charge the appliance in the second mode.