I am a big fan of the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer. The revolutionary machine has changed my hair care routine drastically: I take significantly less time to dry my hair now and has smoother and shinier hair. So I’d be lying if I say I wasn’t excited about the launch of the Dyson Airwrap Styler.
(Psst, if you’re more of a video review kind of person, scroll all the way to the end of this article for one.)
While the Supersonic does mainly one thing: dry your hair, this hair device offers a host of functions that makes it the all-in-one tool for your hairstyling needs.
What’s so special about the Dyson Airwrap Styler?
It’s impossible to talk about a Dyson product without mentioning its technology. I’ll try my best to explain it in layman terms. You may find it boring, but it’s important to know what makes this product so unique and why it has a price tag of almost SGD700.
Similar to the Supersonic Hairdryer, the Airwrap Styler is powered by the V9 Motor, and style your hair with the “Coanda effect”. This is achieved as the styler releases bursts of air that follow the curved surface of the curling barrel.
The difference in air pressure brings about the “Coanda effect”, which is what helps the curling barrel attract hair and then wrap it around itself to achieve a curling effect.
Because of this effect, you’re able to style your hair while it’s damp. This is something that most conventional stylers can’t do; we’re sure you’ve been warned not to bring your curler to wet hair lest you want to burn off a chunk of it.
Here’s something you should know: wet hair is more malleable because as water seeps into the “pores” of hair, it makes it more “vulnerable” and thus, more easily styled.
Using the power of air, the Dyson Airwrap Styler is able to style the more malleable damp hair, which means you can achieve the same quality of curls as a regular curler, without the high temperature.
In fact, just like the Supersonic hairdryer, the Airwrap Styler is able to monitor temperature it emits 40 times per second, to make sure it remains at a level that wouldn’t damage your hair.
Sound amazing already? Now it’s time to put the Dyson Airwrap Styler to the test to see how it really works.
Dyson Airwrap Styler review: Is it a worthwhile investment?
First impression of the Dyson Airwrap Styler
First impressions first. The Airwrap Styler looks extremely sleek and is definitely something you wouldn’t mind seeing at your vanity table or in all your Instagram shots. The machine, together with all the attachments it comes with, are contained within a really luxurious-looking box, which makes for a very impressive gift, if you ask me.
You can choose from three different sets: Airwrap Smooth + Control (SGD649) and Airwrap Volume + Shape (SGD649) come with selected attachments, and the Airwrap Complete (SGD699) comes with all six attachments.
What are the functions of the Dyson Airwrap Styler?
The six different attachments are:
1. Pre-styling dryer: This kind of looks like a mini Dyson fan, don’t you think? If you’re going to use the Dyson Airwrap Styler right after a shower, you can use this attachment to dry your hair to an optimal level of dampness (approximately 20%) before you start styling. Note that the attachment is small and emits a diffused airflow. While I’ve heard friends say that they want to use this attachment in place of a hairdryer, I won’t really recommend it.
2. Firm smoothing Airbrush: This is the attachment to use if you want to straighten your hair and reduce the look of frizz.
3. 40mm Airwrap barrel: The curling barrels are definitely the star of the show. There are two sizes available. You’ll find two 40mm ones in the box – one for a different direction of curl. And these can be used to create loose curls and is great if you have thicker, coarser hair.
4. Soft smoothing Airbrush: This is used to add body and volume to limp locks and has rubber tips to make sure there’s no damage to fine hair.
5. Round volumising brush: It helps to create volume and shape. And if you want to get C-curve around your hair or bangs, this is also the attachment to use.
6. 30mm Airwrap barrel: These also come in variants for different directions, and is used to create tighter, more voluminous curls and waves. This attachment is suitable for most hair types.
You’ll find all six attachments in the Complete set.
Dyson Airwrap Smooth + Control: 2 x 30mm barrels, 2 x 40mm barrels, and a firm smoothing Airbrush
Dyson Airwrap Volume + Shape contains a pre-styling dryer, 2 x 30mm barrels, a soft smoothing Airbrush and a round volumising brush.
Is it easy to use the Dyson Airwrap Styler?
It is extremely easy to put on and change the different attachments. They pop onto the machine effortlessly and can be released easily when I push the quick release switch.
The curling barrels also come with cool-touch tips (the parts that are pink), which don’t heat up at all. This means that you can immediately change the barrels, instead of waiting for them to cool down.
There are three settings for wind speed and three settings for heat: cool, hot, and hotter. At the main switch, you can turn it on, off, and also release cool air as you hold on to the switch.
As you know, hair changes its shape when heat is applied, and then sets itself when it’s cooled. The ease of release cool air makes it easy to let hair go through the setting process.
I usually use straighteners to curl my hair in the past. And in order to do so, I need to twist my hair manually around the straightener and then pull the straightener in a downward motion to achieve the curls.
When it comes to using the Dyson Airwrap Styler, many habits have to be changed.
First, instead of going for the roots of my hair and working my way down, I need to get the Airwrap Styler somewhere in the middle of the lock of hair. I also have to resist twisting my hand to manually wrap hair around the barrel. This is because the Coanda effect does all the work for you! Simply move the barrel up and down the lock of hair to let the machine pick up your tresses and wrap it around itself.
I find that getting used to the “convenience” is the toughest part of the learning curve. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it’s quicker and easier to curl your hair, and your hand would be less tired as a result.
The only attachments that really make use of the Coanda effect are the curling barrels. The other ones are to be used manually, so generally I didn’t have any trouble using them at all.
Overall, I’d say that once you get used to positioning the barrel at the right position, running it along the lock of hair (instead of trying to twist it), and then letting go of the device in a downward motion, you’d be styling your hair like a pro.
How is the styling results with Dyson Airwrap Styler?
I find that my hair looks shinier and feels smoother after styling with the Airwrap Styler – the same effect that I get whenever I dry my hair with the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer. It could be because my hair is less damaged since a lower amount of heat is applied to it. In fact, Dyson representatives told me that there’s no need to apply any heat protectant if I don’t want to.
The curls look beautiful – rounded, instead of in an unnatural zigzag shape that you sometimes get when you curl your hair with a straightener and didn’t manage to twist the device properly. After all, you’re not leaving it to your own manual effort but to the Coanda effect, which is quite foolproof. I also love the round volumising brush because of how I can use it to create a nice curve at my fringe or around my bob to achieve a C-curve style.
This being said, compared to regular stylers that use more heat, I notice that the styling effects don’t last as long.
If I style on dry hair and without finishing off with any setting products (such as hairspray), the curls loosen within four to five hours.
If you want to make sure the results last, use the Dyson Airwrap Styler right after shower (of course, dry it down to 20% dampness with the pre-styling dryer attachment). It’s not efficient nor effective enough if you wet your hair with a spray (like what I did for this review). Also, use a strong hairspray to set it. These steps will definitely help the curls last for a longer time.
By the way, the Airwrap Styler also delivers decent results for hair straightening.
Conclusion: Is it a good investment?
If you’re a techie who really loves gadgets that make life easier, you’re definitely going to enjoy the Dyson Airwrap Styler. I get a kick from simply watching my hair wrapping itself around the device like it were magical.
You’ll also get a lot of utility from it if you have been regularly styling your hair with straightening or curling tools. This product is all-in-one and minimises damage to hair, so someone who has high styling needs is definitely going to find it very useful.
However, the main hook of the entire product is really in the curling barrels, so if you’re a very basic user who hardly curls her hair – I wouldn’t really think you should invest in it unless you have SGD700 sitting around, and nothing else to do with it.
We understand that the Dyson Airwrap Styler Complete is already out of stock. But sources tell us that it is likely going to be restocked towards end-November, early-December period. In time for Christmas if you’re looking for a gift!
If you prefer video reviews, here’s one!
