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As someone who has tried and failed for years to master the art of the at-home blowout, I’ve been on the hunt for a solution that I could realistically use most days at home.
With so many products on the market for all different types of hair, including a plethora of Dyson airwrap alternatives, it can be hard to find something that truly does a good job across the board – after all, there’s only so much my volumising hair products and heatless curlers can do on their own.
Then, the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer tool started appearing on my social media feeds. People loved the fact that it can curl, straighten, volumise, smooth, and define, all in one tool.
And with many amateurs like myself looking to achieve professional-looking hairstyles at home with just one easy-to-use gadget, it seemed perfect. So I set out to test it and do a Shark FlexStyle review.
Overall, the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer tool gives a salon-quality finish from the comfort of your own home
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
Product Specs
- Number of attachmentsSix: Auto-Wrap Curlers, Paddle Brush, Oval Brush, Styling Concentrator, Curl-Defining Diffuser
Our verdict
Overall, the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer tool gives a salon-quality finish from the comfort of your own home.
My favourite attachment is, of course, the curlers. It took me several attempts to get the hang of this, and I am still learning.
I typically style my hair up, but this has been a game changer for me. Once you get the hang of twisting the right way, you get the perfect tight curl.
When using the curlers, I finish each curl with the cool shot button. This helps to really lock in the curl pattern so that they last longer.
I also love the round brush attachment. It glides through my hair and gives it a bounce and a flick to the ends when I want a quick and effortless look. I can achieve this look in minutes when I’m in a rush.
The downside for me is that it is a loud tool, which is not ideal if you are looking to style your hair before others are awake in your household.
I’d recommend the Shark FlexStyle to most people, especially if you’ve been considering the more expensive Dyson Airwrap multistyler. Though if you are an amateur like myself, keep in mind it does require practice to master.
My hair is pictured before (left) and after (right) using the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler tool with the curler attachment
How we test
When testing beauty products like hair tools, we try them out thoroughly and use them exactly how we would when styling our hair on a typical day.
In the case of the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1, I washed my hair as I usually would, brushed it out, and applied a got2b heat defence spray.
This tool works best on damp hair, so I dried it about 50 per cent before I started styling.
Performance
I was very impressed with how quickly the tool dried my hair. In less than 10 minutes, my hair was bone-dry. The attachment nozzle helped me to blow-dry my hair straight, and I managed to get relatively frizz-free results, which lasted for a few days.
To create bouncy blow-outs yourself, the Shark FlexStyle absolutely delivers, but it does take practice to perfect the process. What I found super helpful was the tutorial videos on the website, which are also all over TikTok.
Having two curling heads designated for the left and right sides of your head actually makes the process easier.
Fortunately, it was also super lightweight, so my arm didn’t get tired while I got
What I found worked best is after holding the curl on the heated setting, switching it to the cool mode to lock it in. I then pinned the curl in place before moving on to the next section.
Attachments and heat settings
Inside the storage case was a paddle brush, an oval Brush, curlers (left and right barrell), styling Concentrator, and a curl-defining Diffuser.
The Shark FlexStyle features 3 airflow settings (low, medium, high) and 3 heat settings, along with a cool shot button to lock in styles. It also measures heat 1,000 times per second, ensuring consistent air temperatures and no heat damage.
My hair is pictured before (left) and after (right) using the round brush attachment
Value for money
The Shark FlexStyle isn’t cheap, but if you’re keen to invest in a does-it-all hair tool, it’s more affordable than its competitors.
It is currently £300, including the storage case, compared to the Dyson Airwrap, which costs £480+ for the multi styler option with hair dryer.
There are several colourways to choose from, including the limited-edition sparkle FlexStyle that comes in stunning champagne and black shades (and would be perfect if you’re buying the styler as a gift).
How do it compare to similar products?
Many online say the Shark FlexStyle is a more affordable alternative to the Dyson Airwrap multistyler (£480), offering similar, powerful, and versatile styling.
Key differences include a more powerful, louder motor, a swiveling design for better handling, meaning the Dyson Airwrap is quieter, but the Shark is faster.
The Shark’s body rotates, making it easier to switch between a hair dryer and a wand.
How does it rate online?
On the Shark website, it has 4.3 / 5 rating – with 83 per cent of reviewers saying they would recommend this product.
One wrote: ‘My Dyson Airwrap recently broke, so I thought I would try the Shark Flexstyle. And wow! It didn’t disappoint! It feels so comfortable to use, my hair looks better than ever when I use it. I am just blown away. You won’t be disappointed if you buy it!’
Others praised that it is very easy to switch between attachments and different heat settings.
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
Why trust us
At the Daily Mail, our team of expert testers have been researching, reviewing and writing about their respective specialisms for years.
FAQs
Is there a cheaper Shark FlexStyle alternative?
Yes. If you are looking to try a similar product for a more affordable price, Beauty Works has a 6-in-1 multi styler on the market, which retails at £220, and is currently on sale for £176 on ASOS.
Is the Shark FlexStyle worth the money?
For those looking to minimise heat damage, have options to style your hair different ways and save time on styling, yes, this tool is worth the money.
