On trial: Dyson Airstrait straightener
This article is part of a paid-for partnership with Dyson
What is it?
The Dyson Airstrait is a new way to s-t-r-e-t-c-h and straighten multiple hair types, lengths and styles, from wet to dry – with air. No hot plates means none of the heat damage* associated with traditional hair straighteners. I’m excited about fast and fuss-free styling in the time it takes to brew my first coffee of the day.
What makes the Dyson Airstrait special?
- Dyson technology. Namely their lightest and most powerful Hyperdymium motor, which generates the high-velocity, high-pressure airflow needed to dry and straighten simultaneously.
- Intelligent heat control thanks to glass-bead thermistors measuring the temperature of the airflow 16 times per second to protect against extreme heat damage.
- Auto pause means that after three seconds of inactivity your machine will automatically pause – saving energy. Moving the styler will restart the airflow.
Why use a Dyson Airstrait?
- It’s fast Unlike hot plates that need to heat up, styling with air means this straightener is ready to use and you can be dry and styled in just a few minutes.
- Fuss-free Consider your routine simplified – from wet-to-styled, stat. The Dyson Airstrait features a high-definition LCD display indicating airflow and temperature settings, for easy use when styling.
- Suits all The Airstrait is designed to create straight styles across a range of hair types.
- No damage* The airflow is projected at a 45° angle downwards along the cuticle, for a smooth-end style with less damage and breakage in wet-to-dry mode (vs hot-plate straighteners).
What I’ve learnt from using the Dyson Airstrait daily
- Temperature Begin in wet mode at a low heat (80°C) and adjust depending on your hair type and texture. I find 80°C works well on my thick, long hair but use 110°C on Mondays, when I need to be up and out, fast.
- Go slow Let the airflow do all the work – the fewer passes, the better.
- Size wisely Just as with the Dyson Airwrap, if you have thick hair, start with small sections. If you have fine or thin hair, go large.
The verdict: is the Dyson Airstrait worth it?
Dyson hair tools don’t come cheap, but you knew that – at £449.99 the Dyson Airstrait is an investment.
Yes, the plug is huge and the styler itself is heavier than traditional irons – but fans of silky soft, straight, healthy-looking hair will love it. The Airstrait works well, and won’t cause damage like other stylers can.
My hair looks and feels healthy and, dare I say it, shiny (no mean feat for a perimenopausal 40-something who’s been highlighting her hair for 25 years).
The best part? The Airstrait is fast, transforming me from zombie mum to swishy school run, in three minutes flat. It’s intuitive and easy to use, even at 5am. Oh, and knowing that it’s kinder to my hair? Great!
Yes, it has some pretty big boots to fill (the Airwrap genuinely changed my life) and it’s not one for fans of a big ’n’ bouncy. But the Airstrait is made for time-poor types, tired of feeling frazzled and at their split end wits’ end – and who long to look polished, pronto. Er, all of us, then? ★★★★
*When used in wet-to-dry mode.