Hair Styler Review

[Boyan Atanaschev]

Theoval brush is designed to smooth, defrizz and add volume and bounce, while the paddle brush features bristles designed to create added tension for straightening, smoothing and shining. I am extremely prone to flyaways, and I really rated both heads for making it look super slick while adding the most incredible shine and softness to the hair. For me, the oval brush reigns supreme when compared to its more-expensive counterparts, as it has more grip and adds way more volume.

If you have or have already tried the Airwrap and other similar devices, you'll take to these attachments like a duck to water, otherwise it may take some time getting used to it. The left barrel will counterclockwise the curl and is recommended for the left side of the head, while the right barrel will create a clockwise curl and is recommended for the right side of the head. Shark advises to hold the barrel in place for 10 seconds then press the cool shot button and continue to hold for another 10 seconds. On both the FlexStyle and Dyson Airwrap, I've found the curl is inclined to drop out quite quickly, so I would recommend adding a styling product to your hair beforehand and investing in a good hairspray. It also tends to work better if you're hair isn't freshly washed.

The curl-defining diffuser promises fast, even drying from root to tip and has a lever on the side to extend or retract the prongs for customisable air flow. As someone who doesn't diffuse their hair, I couldn't give this an honest first person review but in carrying out research for this feature I have read countless reviews singing its praises from people, especially with curly and coily hair.

I also wanted to get an opinion on the Shark FlexStyle 5-In-1 Air Styler & Dryer from someone with a different hair type to my own. I reached out to Who What Wear UK social media editor Joy Ejaria, who has been using the tool for a few months.

In all honesty, the Shark FlexStyle has really won me over. The styling concentrator, oval and paddle brush really stood out to me for adding unrivalled shine, volume and smoothness to the hair. I also found the auto-wrap curlers to be on par with the Dyson Airwrap but the Airwrap does feature two different barrel sizes, which gives you the choice between a tighter or looser curl. Really, it all boils down to budget, and if you have the money to spend on Dyson's much-loved tool, I would say to go for it, but if you're unwilling to do so the FlexStyle is a great option. Plus, you'll have 200 to spend on a pair of new shoes instead.

Multi-styling tools are currently in their era, with the Dyson Airwrap being one of the most talked-about stylers across TikTok and Instagram. I love that we're also in a season of really prioritizing hair health, lower heat and quality tools that minimize damage. Don't get me wrong, I still love and will continue to use my T3 tools for certain styling needs, but ever since the Shark FlexStyle has entered the chat, it's been all I've wanted to use.

The Shark FlexStyle has a few different options depending on your hair type and what you're looking for, which I find incredibly convenient. Not everybody needs every attachment, and Shark took notes. The most popular version is the "Build Your Own" FlexStyle which allows you to select any 3 stylers for $279.99.

Although the price is undoubtedly a high cost to pay for a hair tool, the fact that you're getting a hair dryer with 3 attachments to curl, straighten and blow-out your hair combined with a system that's minimizing heat damage is well worth the cost for me personally!

+ 1.25" Auto Wrap Curlers - One for each side of your hair. These wrap, curl and set automatically using Coanda Technology (which is the system of high-speed jet of air that allows the hair to wrap itself around the tool)

The auto-wrap curlers and the styling concentrator are the attachments I use most. I really don't get any use out of the paddle brush, as I don't wear my hair straight. Every so often when I'm doing a rough dry, I'll attach the oval brush to help with frizz.

As with any new hair tool, there's a bit of a learning curve but not something to be intimidated by in the slightest. Having two curling heads designated for the left and right sides of your head actually makes the process of curling really foolproof!

+ No matter how thin or thick your hair is, use sections. I find that curling with a small, 1" section gives the best results. Since my hair is on the thicker side, I separate it into 4-5 sections starting from the bottom up when I'm styling.

+ For the easiest wrap with the curlers, hold the piece of your hair that you're curling towards the end, leaving about 2" dangling to start the wrap. Once it catches, let go and let it do it's thing.

Minimizing heat damage was a priority when looking at the FlexStyle because really, what was the point if I was just buying another high-heat hot tool? The Shark FlexStyle's low heat was one of the things that really drew me in although I was skeptical if a much lower heat could really get the job done for my thick hair.

The Dyson Airwrap retails at $599, while the Shark Flexstyle retails at $299. Price aside the biggest difference I'd point out between the two is the FlexStyle's rotating barrel design that transforms into a high-powered hairdryer. While you can use the AirWrap to dry hair, you cannot use it with just-out-of-the-shower hair (it's intended to be used with damp to almost-dry hair) which is a huge hit to its value.

I, like many, was tempted to give into the hype of the Dyson and see what it was all about. At first, I didn't really think there was another option out there that really measured up. The Shark 100% seemed too good to be true until I did the research and found that it actually rated higher on a lot of comparisons.

After using the Shark FlexStyle consistently for over a year, I can totally say that it's a tool that matches its price tag. Not only do I feel confident that I'm able to style my hair just as good (if not better) as with a traditional hot tool without the heat damage, but it has also saved me so much time overall.

It's important to remember that everyones hair type, texture, how well it holds style, etc. is different. That said, the volume and longevity I get out of styling my hair with the FlexStyle really holds no comparison. I find that my hair stays looking super healthy and bouncy all day and only needs minor touch ups each morning (which is kind of a miracle given that I take no prisoners in my sleeps).

I started using it early in 2020. I had reached a point where I wanted to return my hair to its shiny, bouncy pre-kids days. Before I bought the Dyson, I never really got the hang of giving myself a blowout and mostly walked around with curly hair on the back of my head for decades. Out of sight, out of mind?

I knew I wanted some kind of all-in-one tool that allowed me to smooth out my hair while it was damp. I had watched reviews of the REVLON Hair Dryer Brush (which is a much lower price point and is something many folks swear by) and had used a product similar to it in my twenties but, in my experience, it caused tons of breakage and I stopped using it after a while.

I also wanted to find a way to extend the length of my blowouts. I noticed after I had my hair professionally styled, it looked good for FOUR days. I knew if I could find a way to replicate that kind of styling at home, I would save a lot of time and energy.

I brush them forward with a brush, then using the pre-styling dryer to shape my bangs. I use a brush to pull them to one side of my head and apply some heat, then I repeat this step to the other side. Then I place my brush under them and apply more heat. If they look a little flat, I use a round brush attachment to give them some shape. Then I part them down the middle and let my hair air dry for a bit.

I run a little styling product through the ends to add some texture and some dry shampoo on my bangs to soak up any oil that might start to accumulate during the day. It helps the blowout last longer!

The tool also has an option to be used as a normal styler (without the airflow), hence the 2-in-1 name. So, if you buy the Duet Style, the idea is you wouldn't need another ghd styler (but I have some thoughts on this concept below).

After washing your hair, you section it much like you would when straightening your hair. Turn on the Duet Style, wait for the motor to kick in and, after a few seconds, the light will flash to tell you it's reached its optimal styling temperature (note that this is lower than your usual styler to protect the hair while wet) and it's ready to use.

Once your hair is totally dry, you can also use the Duet Style as a normal straightener by putting it into Shine Shot mode. This turns off the motor and increases the heat in the styling plates to ghds standard 185C to get that next-level shine and sleekness.

After trying the product out for myself, I'd definitely say it's best for those with curly or wavy hair who straighten it every day. It's also the perfect lazy-girl tool for those with straighter styles who like to use a straightener to enhance shine and make their style more polished.

I want to start by saying that I think the ghd Duet Style is revolutionary. It's a truly fantastic innovation. It's easy to use, is substantially quicker than having to dry your hair and then style it and generally improves the shine and finish of my hair compared to when I just blow dry it at home.

Yes, the whole way in which you use it takes some adjusting to, but personally, I think it's fantastic. As somebody with long, fine, thin hair, I found that using the ghd Duet Style actually gave my hair way more lift at the roots than I'm used to achieving at home. My hair was full of volume and looked like it was in optimal health.

The bigger plates just aren't cut out for curling. I already knew this from trying the ghd Max, mind you. When I first heard about the Duet Style, I was hoping it might help me achieve a bouncy blow-out sort of look. I assumed that by manipulating the angles at which you glide the styler through the lengths, you'd be able to get some waves and curls as it dried. And while it does create some movement, as with the ghd Max, the wider and squarer nature of the plates leaves unwanted lines in the hair.

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