Corrine StokoeQuick Version: Wondering which hair styling tool you should pick: Shark FlexStyle or Dyson Airwrap? We compare their features, performance, and value to help you decide!
This one is for all my beauty tool loving girlies – I'm giving you a deep dive into a question I've been asked MANY times, which one is better – the Shark FlexStyle, or the Dyson Airwrap?
Let's just get this out of the way: BOTH ARE AWESOME. I own both. I use both! I love both. But there are differences. Big ones. Let's break them down together.
Oh also…the reason this is specifically pertinent info right now is that for Black Friday, both of these tools are on sale!
In a hurry? Shop the deal below!
Deal details:
This week only, you can get the Shark FlexStyle for ONLY $229.99 ($360 if purchased separately), that's 36% OFF + use code HSN2024 (new customer/email) for an additional $10 OFF!! This is the best deal we've seen since Prime Day in July. And if you're looking to splurge but also save, the Dyson Airwrap is on sale for ONLY $499 ($625 value) today, that's $126 OFF and the best deal of the year!!
Alright back to the breakdown.
Why does anyone even like these hair tools anyway? What makes them so cool? Well, you know how hair wash days are kind of the worst because you have to first blow dry and then style your hair? Gone are those days if you own the Shark FlexStyle or Dyson Airwrap!! You can pop out of the shower, do your makeup while your hair air dries a little, and then – get this – style AND dry at the same time! Plus the salon-looking blowout you get from these tools is leaps and bounds beyond what you'd get from just your trusty curling iron.
I didn't absolutely love my Dyson Airwrap at first though, because my curls fell flat pretty fast after using it. I've heard this from several other people so I knew it wasn't just me. BUT THEN, I got to hear from Dyson's head of styling (I don't remember her exact title but I'm going with that) at the Amazon Creator Summit last year when Dyson was an official sponsor. They did an on-stage demo of the Airstrait (which, I know that's not what this blog post is about but for the record I LOVE), and a demo of the Airwrap, and then she took questions. I popped my hand right up into the air when she did that and asked, “Every time I use my Airwrap, my curls fall flat; how can I get them to stay?”
The #1 tip for getting your curls to stay with either the Airwrap or FlexStyle: USE MOUSSE. I love this one from Drybar, or this one from Color WOW. Both work beautifully, and you don't have to completely saturate all your hair with these. A moderate amount is perfect! Try this and watch those curls bounce for days.
Alright but you're still wondering, what's the difference between the Shark FlexStyle and the Dyson Airwrap, and which one is better? I promise you'll get all the answers by the end, stick with me.
What is the Shark FlexStyle?
The Shark FlexStyle is an all-in-one system for drying and styling your hair. You can blow it out straight as you dry, or create bouncy curls or waves. They have multiple different attachments you can swap out. When you curl your hair, there's a different attachment for each side. This set even includes an attachment that helps flatten flyaways!
Why is it better?
Price. This is the number ONE reason to go with the FlexStyle over the Airwrap, if you did choose that. It retails for $299.99, vs. the Dyson Airwrap, retailing at $599.
Is it just as good?
Yes, with reservations. Does it work well? Yes! Does it have the same versatility in attachments? Mostly, but I haven't seen a long barrel curl attachment from them yet. Does it protect your hair the same way the Dyson does? NO. And this is the reason you might want to get the Dyson instead. Let's talk about why the Dyson Airwrap is so great now.
What is the Dyson Airwrap?
The Dyson Airwrap combines the ability to blow dry and style your hair all at the same time! It comes with typically 6 attachments to either blow out straight, curl or wave your hair. Their newer version comes with the flyaway attachment which is SO nice. That thing is maybe the most under-rated feature of either of these styling devices. (Why doesn't anyone talk about them?!?!)
But why is the Dyson Airwrap better? And is it worth the price?
This is the reason they can charge basically double: the Dyson Airwrap does all of this with NO HEAT DAMAGE.
Dyson has invested millions of dollars into creating technologically advanced hair care tools that use minimal heat to style and dry your hair.
But really, does it work?
All I can say is that when I've used my Shark FlexStyle I can definitely smell a little of that hair being overcooked smell that comes from using a super high temp blow dryer. It's hard to describe but if you know, you know. I've NEVER smelled that from any of my Dyson hair styling tools. So in my opinion, YES, Dyson's no heat damage claims are legit and their tools work to prove it!
How hard is it to learn to use these?
Funny enough, the Shark FlexStyle I felt like was easier for me right out of the box, however, I bought that a year or two after my Airwrap, so did the Airwrap really do the training? Possibly.
The Dyson Airwrap definitely takes a second to figure out. But once you do, you'll save so much time killing two hair-styling birds with one stone that you'll never go back to the 2-step dance ever again!
So which one is better?
If you have the money, and you're concerned about damaging your hair, go for the Dyson Airwrap. I really believe it's worth every penny and I've been so happy with mine, especially since I figured out that one easy little trick to getting my curls to last with it!
If you're on a budget, and/or if you aren't overly concerned about heat damage, then the Shark FlexStyle is such a great option too. I've used it many times on myself and my 3 daughters and they all love it!
Either way, if you bring one of these tools into your home, your hairstyling life will never be the same.
