The Dyson Airstrait cuts my styling time in half, but it’s not perfect

As soon as synonymous with vacuums, Dyson has now turn out to be the gold customary within the hair styling software business. There’s the legendary Supersonic hairdryer, the cordless Corrale straightener and the long-lasting multi-styling Airwrap, identified for its salon-standard outcomes. 

But when a blowdry isn’t your factor and also you’re extra eager about poker straight hair and fast outcomes, the Dyson Airstrait could possibly be the product for you. However like all magnificence devices from the model, it doesn’t come low cost. 

Design & Construct   

The Airstrait follows the identical design formulation that you simply’ll discover on different merchandise: luxurious but chunky.

Outwardly, it seems to be similar to the traditional Corrale, however the plates are bigger. It’s because they include vents which blow sizzling air in your locks, quite than the traditional steel plates that warmth up.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The Dyson Airstrait measures 60 (H) x 330 (L) x 41 (W)mm and weighs 0.935 kg with out the plug. The 360-swivel wire measures 198cm, and no cordless choice is on the market. It’s heftier than the Corrale, which is already thought of to be cumbersome.

You may get this gadget in Brilliant Nickel / Brilliant Copper (the model we examined) and Prussian Blue / Wealthy Copper within the UK. If you happen to’re in America, you will get each these colourways, in addition to a bonus Ceramic Pink Rose Gold model – good in the event you’re nonetheless in your Barbie period.  

Not like the Airwrap, no case is included as customary, nevertheless it does include a slim heatproof mat. There’s additionally no journey pouch with buy, both. 

The plates may be unlocked through a toggle on the rear of the straighteners. On the entrance, there are 5 buttons: one for energy, one for alternating between moist and dry modes, a cool shot button, one for altering the airflow velocity and one for the general temperature.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

There’s an LED display which tells you which ones setting you’ve triggered, and what the software is doing. For instance, each time you boot up the Airstrait, it mechanically cleans itself and can point out this on the show.  

If you happen to maintain the Airstrait nonetheless for 3 seconds, it would mechanically pause. As quickly as you progress it, the airflow will restart. It additionally produces a quieter, decrease airflow whenever you’re not urgent the plates collectively in unlocked mode.

Contained in the arms are glass bead thermistors, which regulate airflow as much as 16 occasions per second, making certain your hair is secure from warmth injury and allegedly offering extra shine to your locks. Airflow is managed by Dyson’s Hyperdymium motor, with a 13-blade impeller that propels 11.9 litres of air by way of the machine per second. 

The noise of the motor is kind of like the degrees produced by the Airwrap – quieter than a standard dryer, and fast to close off when triggered.

Warmth-wise, the straighteners have the choice of 80°C (175°F), 110°C (230°F), and 140°C (285°F) in Moist mode, and 120°C (250°F) or 140°C (285°F), or a top-up “enhance” in Dry mode. Dyson doesn’t present a temperature for the Increase mode on its web site, however Attract studies that is round 160°C/320°F.  

Contemplating that many straighteners go as much as round 230°C, that’s loads much less warmth injury to your hair.

The Airstrait incorporates a PRCD plug (Transportable Residual Present System), which can be utilized to check {an electrical} present for security earlier than utilizing – one thing that’s beneficial when your gadget is in proximity to water or vapour, in keeping with Dyson. 

Whereas that is helpful from a security perspective, it provides extra bulk to the straightener, which isn’t nice for travelling, particularly in the event you’re packing it away in a small in a single day bag. Dyson additionally states that this plug is particular to the nation you purchase it in, and to seek advice from the handbook in the event you’re planning on utilizing it overseas.

On the backside there’s a detachable filter, and the straightener will notify you if this wants cleansing.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Efficiency & Styling 

Utilizing the Dyson Airstrait is simple like a Sunday morning. Briefly, in the event you’ve used a pair of straighteners earlier than, then you should utilize these. 

Utilizing the Dyson Airstrait on moist hair 

If you happen to’re drying and styling from moist, make sure that your locks are towel-dried first and that you simply’ve suitably detangled any nasty, lurking knots. It’s also possible to add merchandise at this stage. I like to recommend warmth safety – although the Airstrait is kinder than a standard flat iron, it’s nonetheless higher for the well being of your hair. 

First, you’ll wish to dry your roots. This may be carried out by locking the plates collectively and turning on the Airstrait, and it’ll maintain a steady airflow that you could level towards the crown of your head to make sure that it’s dry earlier than straightening.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

I’d suggest spending extra time on this than you assume – typically I made the error of considering my roots had been prepared, solely to understand later that they wanted extra time. This may be annoying because the Airstrait isn’t probably the most comfy to make use of for lengthy intervals resulting from its weight… however think about it your arm exercise for the day.  

I adopted the directions within the Dyson app, making certain that I blasted my roots first earlier than sectioning my hair, and pulling by way of sections slowly and with precision, with the vent pointing downwards.  

I needed to do a number of pull-throughs with sections to get them totally dry, however the course of took simply over quarter-hour in complete, which is method much less time than it might take me with a traditional hair dryer and flat iron combo.  

Listed below are the earlier than and after pictures: 

My hair was clean and had some shine, however regardless of a number of pass-throughs, there have been nonetheless some annoying fly-aways in there (which can be extra apparent on my all-flaws-showing OnePlus 12 digicam than to the bare eye). These errant strands may be tamed by smoothing lotions, shampoos and conditioners.  

For reference, I’ve thick, sort 2a hair that reaches my decrease again. Sometimes, my hair each dries and straightens comparatively simply. When you’ve got curls or coils, then your expertise could also be more difficult. Equally, in case your hair is tremendous wonderful and shorter, the method could also be loads faster.  

Utilizing the Dyson Airstrait on dry hair 

Utilizing the Airstrait on dry hair is equally spectacular, however I’ll say that the low airflow speeds and cooler temperatures didn’t make a dent on my unruly mop. In fact, my expertise with different hair instruments had already taught me that lesson earlier than.  

As for longevity, the Airstrait isn’t fairly a miracle employee. Right here’s how my hair taken care of utilizing it on dry hair within the night, and the outcomes the morning after an eight-hour journey to the land of nod: 

Sleeping on the hair introduced out among the pure kinks and waves, particularly on the ends of my layers. Briefly, until you will have hair that holds kinds for a very long time, you most likely gained’t be taking a look at a number of days of poker straight finishes. In fact, utilizing silk scrunchies, pillowcases or bonnets could assist obtain extra lasting outcomes.  

Dyson Airstrait Vs conventional flat iron 

For my subsequent rigorous take a look at, I used the Airstrait on one aspect of my head (left within the image), and a standard straightener from Nicky Clark on the opposite (proper within the image). I used each instruments on dry hair, with a pump of Vo5 Frizz Free Hair Cream and a smidge of Pantene Pro-V Argan Infused Hair Oil for extra spectacular outcomes.  

I spent 5 minutes complete on all sides, the time I’d usually spend on my hair as I’m usually speeding out the door, late for some lame purpose or one other.

Now time for a recreation of spot the distinction… 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

There’s little question that each straighteners have removed any kinks or bulkiness on my head. Nevertheless, the Dyson has a slight edge on the ends, with that shiny sheen displaying up properly. There are additionally barely fewer flyaways on the highest of my head on this aspect in comparison with one used with a standard flat iron.  

Later within the day, I went to a barre class, the place I threw my hair right into a ponytail – it additionally received barely moist within the rain after I struggled to get my umbrella up. This time, the Nicky Clark aspect of my head gained the take a look at, with fewer waves and frizz than the Dyson aspect.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Longevity can also be a difficulty I discovered with the Airwrap, and I believe it merely comes all the way down to the merchandise being much less sizzling and damaging. So, whereas short-term kinds gained’t final as lengthy, your hair needs to be more healthy over time.

As somebody who has used the Airwrap persistently over a protracted interval, I’ve seen quite a lot of hair progress, so the identical ought to apply to the Airstrait. Then again, after I used straighteners up to now I suffered rather more breakage.

Can the Dyson Airstrait curl hair? 

The clue is within the identify right here, because the Dyson Airstrait shouldn’t be designed for curling. That mentioned, after some actual digging on TikTok, I came upon it’s not utterly not possible in the event you dare to dream. 

If you happen to attempt to curl within the conventional bending movement as you’ll with a straightener, then the vents will find yourself blowing your hair skywards, leaving you with a little bit of a frazzled look. After just a few tries, I managed to get some slight waves within the entrance of my hair, however nothing spectacular by any means, with the ends not wanting tremendous wholesome: 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Within the app, Dyson recommends rolling and pinning your hair after straightening sure sections to get a ‘90s blowout’. This take a look at was a whole failure, leaving me with a Hagrid stylish end. It could simply require some follow.

The easiest way to get curls or waves is to spend money on a spherical brush and use the Airstrait with the plates locked collectively, like a standard dryer. Wrap sections across the brush, and use the software to blow sizzling hair on it – similar to a standard curly blow-dry at a salon.  

My novice try is under, however you may see higher outcomes over on silmarie90’s TikTok web page: 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

I gained’t lie, this was a little bit of a faff – I had one second the place I assumed I’d must name an ambulance as the comb appeared to get caught to my head. However, with some perseverance, I received some bounce and motion… together with quite a lot of static and never as spectacular outcomes as different instruments.

To place it merely, in the event you’re after a sizzling air software that may do greater than straighten, then I’d advise wanting on the Dyson Airwrap as a substitute.  

Worth & Availability – Is the Dyson Airstrait value the associated fee?  

Now the half you’ve most likely all been dreading: the value. The Dyson Airstrait will set you again £449.99/$499.99. Within the UK, you should purchase it from Dyson, Boots, Currys and John Lewis. Within the US, you will get it from Dyson, Greatest Purchase, Nordstrom and Sephora.  

There’s no denying that that is dear. Throughout sale seasons (like Black Friday) we’ve seen refurbished offers on Dyson hair merchandise earlier than, however as but, we haven’t seen any provides on the Dyson Airstrait.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

If you happen to’re dedicated to Dyson hair tech, then this product is considerably cheaper than shopping for the Supersonic and Corrale collectively. It’s additionally cheaper than the Airwrap, which provides some straightening brushes in its six-attachment line-up.  

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a Dyson Airstrait dupe, then there are different wet-to-dry straighteners on the market. In America, there’s the Revlon One-Step Air Straight ($79.99) and the Drybar The Straight Shot Blow-Drying Flat Iron ($143). There’s additionally the GHD Duet Style Hot Air Styler, which is on the market in each the UK and the US (£379/$399).  

For extra choices, try our charts of the very best hairdryers and finest straighteners.  

Do you have to purchase the Dyson Airstrait? 

The Dyson Airstrait is barely value shopping for in the event you’re a really particular form of buyer. 

If you happen to persistently put on your hair straight and wish to minimize down on the time it takes to dry and magnificence, then this is a perfect 2-in-1 product – in case you have the funds. There’s additionally the extra advantage of it being kinder to your hair than conventional flat irons.  

Nevertheless, in the event you choose to alter up your model with curls and blow-outs, then it’s not value justifying the value of the Airstrait. It’s additionally not very best for journey, contemplating its cumbersome measurement and PRCD plug. I’d advise both wanting on the Airwrap, or different wet-to-straight alternate options.