On trial: Dyson Airwrap multi-styler

An award-winning and much-hyped multi-styler – suitable for multiple hair types, lengths and styles.

The Airwrap is the only styler to dry, curl, shape, smooth and tame flyaways with the Coanda effect (Dyson-speak for air-styling minus extreme heat). 

There are tons of tutorials online to get you started, there’s even a genius QR code within the case and on the lead – making it easy to register your styler and get access to how-to guides, maintenance advice and support. 

Once you’ve unboxed your multi-styler there are a few things to know: 

• 3 speed settings
• 3 heat settings (to suit your hair type/desired style)
• 1 cold shot to set your style

As someone with naturally straight hair (and the occasional kink) plus minimal getting-ready time, it’s fair to say my default look has a touch of the air-dried vibe about it. 

Needless to say I’ve long craved more body, a root boost – and a bit of a zhuzh – and dream of a soft wave bob. Yet, despite my beauty editor credentials, even the best curling tongs, styling iron hacks and expert tips have – to date – fallen flatter than my hair. 

The truth is, I can’t curl for Adam, either pinging out corkscrew curls or creating a limp crimp that drops in 0.5 seconds flat. I’ve interviewed some of the biggest names in the beauty business, yet no matter how many times a stylist shows me how to curl my hair with irons or tongs, I simply can’t. 

So yes, I’ve dreamt of trying a Dyson’s Airwrap since its 2018 launch, cooed over their credentials and fangirled over the five-star rave reviews – but I’ve never been able to justify the buy, until now. 

1. Use on damp (washed or water-sprayed) hair
2. Detangle hair using the comb 
3. If needed, dry hair using the 2-in-1 Coanda smoothing dryer (it doubles up as a dryer as well as a flyaway tool in different modes)
4. Section hair into 4-6 parts, depending on thickness
5. Pick a styling attachment – smooth, bouncy blow-dry or curls – and your heat setting
6. If curling your hair, choose the 30mm barrel for short-medium or use the 40mm one for longer hair (they are bi-directional so you can curl in both directions). I went for 40mm, high speed, high heat. Hold a small section of hair around 10cm from the barrel and the Airwrap will draw it in
   

• Use tension to create tighter curls
• Use arrows to change curl direction (mixed = more natural)
• Wait 15 seconds to hold/dry 
• Apply a cold shot for 5-10 seconds, then turn off to release hair
  

I was blown away. The Airwrap gave me instant ‘fresh from the salon’ feels. Yes, I had to unlearn years of terrible tong skills, retraining my brain not to twist the ends of my hair around the barrel, but I got there – and in record time (for me). 

When the Airwrap first pulled my hair in, I could have punched the air in delight – it feels deliciously satisfying, magical almost, oh, and it really works.