TL;DR: Yes, the Dyson Airwrap is absolutely worth the hype for curls—if you prioritize heatless, elastic, and long-lasting waves over a traditional curling iron. It delivers salon-grade definition with zero heat damage, though it requires a learning curve and a premium budget.
Why the Dyson Airwrap Is Worth the Hype for Curls
If you’ve been scrolling through porcelain-smooth beauty feeds, you’ve seen the Airwrap’s signature spiraled curls that look effortless, not crispy. Unlike a 400°F barrel, the Airwrap uses the Coanda effect—a jet of air that wraps hair around the styling barrel without extreme heat. For curly-haired users, this means your natural pattern gets enhanced, not fried. The result is a bouncy, glass-like curl that holds for 48 hours on fine hair, and up to 72 on coarse, porcelain-finish strands.
If you want to dig deeper, check out our guide on The Ultimate Porcelain Buying Guide: Mastering Style & Durab.
Feature highlights: The 1.2-inch and 1.6-inch barrels are engineered for clockwise and counterclockwise curls, so you can alternate directions for a natural, voluminous look. The “cool shot” button locks the curl in place, mimicking a salon’s cold-set technique. Meanwhile, the flyaway attachment tames halo frizz—a game-changer for humid days when curls tend to droop. Compared to the T3 CurlID or the Shark FlexStyle, the Airwrap’s airflow is gentler and more precise. The FlexStyle has a similar wrap mechanism but requires a physical clamp; Dyson’s clamp-free design prevents creases and gives a smoother, more polished porcelain-like sheen.
Where the hype gets tricky is price. At $599, it’s triple the cost of a decent Babyliss wand. But consider this: you’re buying five tools in one (curlers, dryer, smoothing brush, round brush). If you already own a high-end dryer, the Airwrap’s curl function alone might not justify the cost. However, if you want a single device that handles blowouts and curls, the investment pays off over 3–5 years. My test: on clean, day-old hair, the Airwrap produced defined ringlets in 12 minutes, whereas a standard iron took 20 minutes and left my ends looking like straw.
Ready to ditch the heat damage? Buy the Dyson Airwrap now—check the official Dyson site for refurbished models to save $150.
FAQ
Q: Can the Airwrap create tight, defined curls on naturally straight hair?
A: Yes, but use the 1.2-inch barrel on small sections, mist hair with water first, and finish with the cool shot for 10 seconds. Expect a bouncy, beach-wave curl—not a rigid spiral.
Q: How does it compare to a traditional curling iron for porcelain-smooth, shiny results?
A: The Airwrap produces a softer, more natural shine because it doesn’t crush the cuticle with high heat. A curling iron gives sharper, shinier curls, but they flatten faster and cause split ends over months of use.
Q: Is the Airwrap safe for color-treated or keratin-treated hair?
A: Absolutely. The air temperature never exceeds 302°F, which is below the 350°F threshold that strips keratin or fades color. Many stylists recommend it for post-keratin maintenance—just avoid using the smoothing brush on the same day as treatment.
Leave a Reply