Dyson Airstrait Review: Handy Yet Heavy

Worth When Reviewed

$499.99

Greatest Costs Immediately: Dyson Airstrait

As soon as synonymous with vacuums, Dyson has now develop into the gold commonplace within the hair styling instrument business. There’s the legendary Supersonic hairdryer, the cordless Corrale straightener and the enduring multi-styling Airwrap, recognized for its salon-standard outcomes. 

But when a blow-dry isn’t your factor and also you’re extra fascinated about poker-straight hair and fast outcomes, the Dyson Airstrait may very well 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 system that you just’ll discover on different merchandise: luxurious but chunky.

Outwardly, it appears similar to the basic Corrale, however the plates are bigger. It is because they include vents which blow sizzling air in your locks, somewhat than the basic metallic 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 possibility is obtainable. It’s heftier than the Corrale, which is already thought of to be cumbersome.

You may get this machine in Shiny Nickel / Shiny Copper (the model we examined) and Prussian Blue / Wealthy Copper within the UK. Should you’re in America, you may get each these colourways, in addition to a bonus Ceramic Pink Rose Gold model – excellent for those who’re nonetheless in your Barbie period.  

In contrast to the Airwrap, no case is included as commonplace, nevertheless it does include a slim heatproof mat. There’s additionally no journey pouch with buy, both. 

The plates might 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 of them setting you’ve triggered, and what the instrument is doing. For instance, each time you boot up the Airstrait, it robotically cleans itself and can point out this on the show.  

Should you preserve the Airstrait nonetheless for 3 seconds, it’s going to robotically pause. As quickly as you progress it, the airflow will restart. It additionally produces a quieter, decrease airflow once 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 instances per second, making certain your hair is protected from warmth harm 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 sort of like the degrees produced by the Airwrap – quieter than a conventional 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 “increase” in Dry mode. Dyson doesn’t present a temperature for the Enhance mode on its web site, however Attract experiences that is round 160°C/320°F.  

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

The Airstrait includes a PRCD plug (Transportable Residual Present Gadget), which can be utilized to check {an electrical} present for security earlier than utilizing – one thing that’s beneficial when your machine 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 for those who’re packing it away in a small in a single day bag. Dyson additionally states that this plug is restricted to the nation you purchase it in, and to seek advice from the handbook for those who’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, for those who’ve used a pair of straighteners earlier than, then you need to use these. 

Utilizing the Dyson Airstrait on moist hair 

Should you’re drying and styling from moist, be certain that your locks are towel-dried first and that you just’ve suitably detangled any nasty, lurking knots. You too can add merchandise at this stage. I like to recommend warmth safety – although the Airstrait is kinder than a conventional 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 preserve a steady airflow that you may 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 suppose – typically I made the error of pondering my roots have been prepared, solely to grasp later that they wanted extra time. This may be annoying because the Airstrait isn’t essentially the most snug to make use of for lengthy durations attributable to 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 whole, which is approach much less time than it could take me with a basic hair dryer and flat iron combo.  

Listed here 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 might be tamed by smoothing lotions, shampoos and conditioners.  

For reference, I’ve thick, kind 2a hair that reaches my decrease again. Usually, my hair each dries and straightens comparatively simply. If in case you have curls or coils, then your expertise could also be tougher. Equally, in case your hair is tremendous nice 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. After all, 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 sorted 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 a few of the pure kinks and waves, particularly on the ends of my layers. Briefly, until you’ve hair that holds types for a very long time, you in all probability received’t be taking a look at a number of days of poker straight finishes. After all, utilizing silk scrunchies, pillowcases or bonnets might assist obtain extra lasting outcomes.  

Dyson Airstrait Vs conventional flat iron 

For my subsequent rigorous check, I used the Airstrait on one aspect of my head (left within the image), and a conventional 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 Professional-V Argan Infused Hair Oil for extra spectacular outcomes.  

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

Now time for a recreation of spot the distinction… 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

There’s little doubt that each straighteners have removed any kinks or bulkiness on my head. Nonetheless, 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 conventional flat iron.  

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

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Longevity can also be a problem 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 types received’t final as lengthy, your hair must be more healthy over time.

As somebody who has used the Airwrap persistently over an extended interval, I’ve seen a variety of hair progress, so the identical ought to apply to the Airstrait. Then again, after I used straighteners previously I suffered way more breakage.

Can the Dyson Airstrait curl hair? 

The clue is within the identify right here, because the Dyson Airstrait will not be designed for curling. That mentioned, after some actual digging on TikTok, I came upon it’s not utterly inconceivable for those who dare to dream. 

Should you 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 a couple of tries, I managed to get some slight waves within the entrance of my hair, however nothing spectacular in any respect, with the ends not trying 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 check was an entire failure, leaving me with a Hagrid stylish end. It might simply require some apply.

One of the best ways to get curls or waves is to spend money on a spherical brush and use the Airstrait with the plates locked collectively, like a conventional dryer. Wrap sections across the brush, and use the instrument to blow sizzling hair on it – identical to a conventional curly blow-dry at a salon.  

My novice try is beneath, however you’ll be able to see higher outcomes over on silmarie90’s TikTok web page: 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

I received’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 acquired some bounce and motion… together with a variety of static and never as spectacular outcomes as different instruments.

To place it merely, for those who’re after a sizzling air instrument that may do greater than straighten, then I’d advise trying on the Dyson Airwrap as an alternative.  

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

Now the half you’ve in all probability all been dreading: the value. The Dyson Airstrait will set you again £449.99/$499.99. Within the UK, you should buy it from Dyson, Boots, Currys and John Lewis. Within the US, you may 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

Should you’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.  

Should you’re searching 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 Fashion Scorching Air Styler, which is obtainable in each the UK and the US (£379/$399).  

For extra choices, try our charts of the perfect hairdryers and greatest straighteners.  

Must you purchase the Dyson Airstrait? 

The Dyson Airstrait is just value shopping for for those who’re a really particular type of buyer. 

Should you 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 – when you’ve got the price range. There’s additionally the extra good thing about it being kinder to your hair than conventional flat irons.  

Nonetheless, for those who want to vary up your model with curls and blow-outs, then it’s not value justifying the value of the Airstrait. It’s additionally not supreme for journey, contemplating its cumbersome dimension and PRCD plug. I’d advise both trying on the Airwrap, or different wet-to-straight alternate options.