Dyson Airwrap review: Beautiful curls but be ready to practice

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If you’re looking to spend big to save on hair damage, the Dyson Airwrap can be a styling game changer. However, there are two major considerations to mull over: the cost at $700 and the learning curve.

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The Dyson Airwrap is a styling tool intended to create salon-level waves and curls (it can straighten, too) without seeing your stylist. It does fulfil that promise – t, just not on the first (or even second or third) attempt.

I had the luxury of calling up Dyson’s communication team and asking how to use this seemingly confusing hair-styling tool that comes with eight attachments. Even though I received a literal lesson from Dyson, it still took me five times to really get the hang of the thing. But it was worth it.

What type of hair works best

Length: The Airwrap can work for many hair lengths, from bob to Rapunzel. You can technically use the brush or blow-dry attachments for shorter-than-bob-length hair, but it would be cheaper just to use a blow dryer. 

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Type: My hair is curly, around a type 3B, maybe a bit looser. The Airwrap can work on a spectrum of hair types, but I’m probably at the curliest end. It’s great for people with straight, wavy and curly hair, but likely not coily. 

Tips I learned the hard way

Volume: The Airwrap adds volume to your hair. My hair needs less volume. But if your hair could benefit from extra body, this is a tool for you. For me, I needed to curl only below my chin to end up with my desired look. You can also add start product ahead of using the Airwrap to add weight to a very thick mane. 

Learning curve: Give yourself at least three tries before you whip the attachments across the bathroom in frustration. This tool was launched in 2018 but only gained widespread popularity in 2021 and 2022 when how-to videos graced social platforms like YouTube and TikTok. It can seem completely overwhelming but it can give you really gorgeous hair without the salon visits or bills, which can offset the price tag. Just be prepared to invest time into learning how to use the tool.

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Beachy waves: If you want beachy waves, use the machine upside down so the cord is at the top and the attachment is at the bottom.

Leave out the ends: If you want straighter ends (for that beachy wave look), hold the end of your hair and keep an inch or two away from the barrel.

Get the long barrels: This is a tip that other people learned the hard way. I’ve watched many videos while learning how to use the tool, and the long barrels seem to work for most people. There are two kits you can buy: the Dyson Airwrap styler Complete and the Dyson Airwrap styler Complete Long. I suggest you go with the long one no matter the length of your hair. If your hair is long, then you need to select this option; if it’s short, there’s no harm in having the “long set” – there’s always room to grow. You can’t get the long barrel set from all retailers, but Dyson’s website carries both.

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My favourite features

Less damage: The Airwrap has three temperature levels. I used it on its highest heat and there’s a sensor that prevents the heat from exceeding 150 C. This gives my hair a nice break from a straightening iron (which I use for curls, too) that gets up to 210 C. You’re tresses will thank you.

Style and dry: When I use my straightening iron (the Corrale), I usually go to sleep with wet hair, wake up like Medusa and get at my venomous tresses with extreme heat in the morning. I could blow dry my hair before straightening it, but then it would at least an hour from wet to dry. With the Airwrap, I can go from wet to ready in 30 minutes (if I’m on my efficient game). 

Less frizz: My hair is curly, so curling the curl may seem like an oxymoron. But my natural curl and the Airwrap curl are two very different curls. If I leave my hair au naturel, it will be  Frizz City at the sight of humidity. But Airwrap’s curls last much longer when paired with an effective hair product (right now, I’m into Goldwell’s Just Smooth line).

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My least favourite features 

Cost: If “price” is a feature, it’s that. But Dyson products are luxury items and not for everyone. Most of its products have technology differentiators in the respective categories. Like Dyson’s laser vacuum, where you can see sneaky dust and dirt. For the Airwrap, the main differentiator is the style-and-dry feature that works extremely well.

Learning curve: I’ve been using a hair straightener even since they’ve been widely available (my mother is still in awe that we don’t need to use actual irons). But, this is a new technology. The Airwrap is the hair-tool child if a curling wand and a blow dryer had a baby. It’s new and it takes time and patience to learn how to properly use it for your hair.  I’m glad I learned how to use the Airwrap and will get good consistent use of it.

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Where to buy

Because the Airwrap is really popular, it often sells out. You may want to press the “Notify me” button on Dyson’s site to receive an email when they’re back in stock)

Dyson’s website

Amazon

How to use the Dyson Airwrap

Dyson has three straightforward videos that show how to use the Airwrap, but here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to create relaxed curls:

Also, YouTube is filled with Dyson Airwrap how-to videos. Try to find a tutorial that makes sense for your hair type.

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rmann@postmedia.com

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