Hair has always felt like something I just had to keep out of my face. I spent my childhood and teenage years in ponytails and my 20s in pixie cuts. I didn’t really care for styling it. But now, in my 30s, I feel like it’s time to switch things up again.
So, when Dyson offered to send over the latest version of its Airwrap, I jumped at the chance to try it out. I was curious to see how a newbie to hairstyling will take to this high-tech tool. Would it be too difficult for someone like me to learn how to use it? Let’s find out.
What’s new with this Dyson Airwrap?
The original Dyson came out to much fanfare in 2018, and Dyson worked on improving that highly regarded device. The company looked to make it more versatile and easier to use. And they’ve done this by enhancing a few of the attachments.
The curling barrels have been simplified. You no longer have to switch barrels to change the direction of your curls. There’s a switch at the top you toggle when you want to switch directions. That means you just get one long and short barrel with your Dyson Airwrap instead of two for the long and two for the short barrels. (A bonus to this change is you get a smaller kit overall because fewer attachments are included. It’s easier to store than the original. )
Dyson improved the firm and soft brushes to make it easier to smoothen out hair. As with the new curling barrels, Dyson says the enhanced Coanda airflow in the Airwrap attracts hair to the surface of these new brushes so you can shape your hair with better control.
The company describes the “Coanda effect” happens “when air, propelled at the right speed and pressure, naturally follows an adjacent surface, entraining surrounding air and with it–hair.” For the Airwrap’s use, it gently pulls the hair and air towards the surface.
The Dyson Airwrap also has a redesigned drying and smoothing tool with the new Coanda flyaway attachment. This accessory takes your hair from wet to damp and can also be used to hide flyaway hair when you’re done styling. It has a toggle similar to the new curling barrels that will switch directions depending on whether you want to dry or smoothen your hair.
Since this is a second-generation device, Dyson made the intelligent choice of allowing buyers to get the new attachments separately. If you have the old Airwrap, it’ll help you save a bit while getting the benefits of the latest accessories.
How does it work for newbies?
It felt daunting at first when I unboxed the Dyson Airwrap, but Dyson has made it less so with easy access to a microsite for this device. The instructions for accessing the site are the first thing you see when you open the box. It’s just a matter of opening your QR code reader and checking out the site. (There’s also a simple paper manual included that gives a quick guide of what each attachment does.)
Attaching and detaching the different accessories is an intuitive experience. Even if you’re used to the more conventional hair dryer, it would still be intuitive to you. Each attachment’s top has a grip that makes it easier to hold and take out used attachments.
Getting burned by the attachments isn’t a big concern here either. I’ve heard and read enough horror stories with curling irons to be scared to go near them. But I don’t share that same fear with the Dyson Airwrap.
It uses powerful airflow from its digital V9 motor and controlled heat to help you style and dry hair simultaneously. This hair tool gets two heat levels, but these settings don’t get too hot that touching the barrels will hurt you. That controlled heat is also beneficial for your hair because you aren’t subjecting it to extreme temperatures to get a style to stick.
It’s also fun to see hair strands stick to the curling barrel. I have shoulder-length, straight hair, making it difficult for curls to stick. The Dyson Airwrap’s design gives me space to experiment.
I’m admittedly still figuring out how to make the curls last. But since this is a much-talked-about device, there’s tons of content on the internet for me to try out. Perhaps, I’ll update you when I get a method that works. I’ve seen people have varying success using sea salt spray or mousse to get it to work.
This part is where the learning curve for the Airwrap is a bit steeper. You must read up and try things out to get the most out of it. It will not be a miracle device that will do everything for you. But then again, isn’t that what most devices are like anyway?
In other aspects, though, it made my life so much easier. It takes a few minutes to dry and straighten my hair using the brush attachments. And then the Coanda flyaway attachment helps settle any pesky flyaways. It helps ensure I have great, polished-looking hair before leaving the house.
This isn’t a device to travel around with you, though. The Dyson Airwrap isn’t dual voltage, so you’ll only be able to use it in your home country or those with the same voltage range.
Is the Dyson Airwrap worth it?
The Dyson Airwrap is probably one of the most expensive investments you’ll make for hair care/hairstyling. But it is an investment that might be worth it if you regularly style your hair at home or are on the hunt for an effective hairstyling tool. Enough practice will make it seem like you’ve gotten your tresses done professionally without stepping out of your home.
This device handles all the hairstyling needs quite well—whether you need it for drying, curling, or smoothing. And it comes in two lovely colors: Nickel/Copper and Prussian Blue/Copper. The great thing about this new Dyson Airwrap is Dyson plans to sell a trade-up kit with the new attachments. This comes in handy if you already have the first-generation Airwrap since you don’t have to buy the complete machine.
The Dyson Airwrap retails for USD 600 or PHP 32,900.
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