As beauty editors, the term “innovation” always makes our ears perk up. We love new things, and we don’t throw around words like “game-changer” lightly. 2023 has brought along a ton of new innovations in body care and in product formulation, such as Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed and Nécessaire’s Body Retinol, it’s about time we see something new and different in the styling tools arena.
Enter: the Dyson Airstrait. This styling tool basically utilizes the best of Dyson’s patented air technology (they’re not paying me to say that) to style hair from wet to dry with minimal heat damage, There are three settings: Wet and Dry styling modes that are pre-set with the specific heat and airflow combination for the best results, as well as a ‘Cool’ mode to set the style. The idea is to make it easier than ever to get straight hair without whipping out every single hair styling tool in your closet. Blowdryer? Don’t know her. Flat iron? Who is she?
Three Refinery29 editors, all with different hair textures and lengths, tried it out and, well, the results are mixed. Read on to see how it worked for us and what we really think.
Amanda Mitchell, Senior Beauty Writer + Stories Creator
Hair Type: Mid-shoulder length, multiple type 4 textures
My relationship with Dyson products has been… complicated. My Corrale Hair Straightener was here for a good time but not a long time, but my Supersonic Hair Dryer made me believe in hair dryers again. I hate to say it, though, as soon as I heard the description of this tool, I thought, Oh, well, that’s not for me. My hair type requires high heat in order to maintain a style and I have a lot of skepticism about wet-to-dry tools in general. In practice, the Airstrait got my hair dry…ish, and that doesn’t really even touch on the roots, which this nearly two-inch device couldn’t reach because my hair is on the shorter side.
In about 30 minutes, I finished my entire head of relatively thick hair using both settings — the wet-to-dry and the blowdry setting on the highest heat, 215 degrees — and about halfway through I actually turned the tool around to use it so the air was on my roots, which seemed to make a significant difference. In the end, my hair felt damp-dry — like the outside layer was dry but the cuticle wasn’t, which for me is a straight shot to Puffy Rootsville. If I tried it again, I’d definitely use it on hair that was 75% dry because this kind of steamed my hair rather than dried it — and not in a good way. I worried that if I’d followed it up with a flat iron, I would cause further damage to my hair because it’s not actually dry-dry. It would be good for the days I’m getting a protective style like braids, but I don’t think it’s really my thing, especially at the price point. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you’re reading: All I want is a flat iron with a comb attachment. To me, that would be true innovation.
Megan Decker, Beauty Editor
Hair Type: Long (past my boobs when straight) with a natural wave and cowlicks
As a person who grew up burning my long, wavy, cowlick-prone, red hair in the InStyler (a rotating blow dryer-and-straightener hybrid my mom bought off an infomercial when I was in high school) I was skeptical of the Airstrait. My mind went back to the loud buzzing sound of the InStyler and feeling the hot metal burn the tip of my ear. However, my first attempt at using the Airstrait proved she’s a billion times better than anything of the like out there — and at $500, it ought to be.
I used the blowdry setting, and it took my very long hair from 50% dry to all the way there — and perfectly straight — in about 13 minutes. That would not be possible with a regular blowdryer or a heated blowdry brush; this is an entirely new category. If you’re someone who blows out their hair dry and then runs a flatiron through it to smooth it out even more, this is made for you and will make your life a lot easier.
Breanna Davis, Beauty Social Editor
Hair Type: 4B, mid-shoulder length
Because this was my first Dyson tool, I had high expectations, but that just led to a steep letdown. At first, I was impressed by the sleekness and innovation behind the Airstrait design: I could tell Dyson tried to think of every little detail, like how it automatically turns off when not in use. Unfortunately, the overall effect it had on my hair wasn’t as striking. The highest temperature is 215 degrees, and the steam was so intense that it set my smoke alarm off. I realized, even though it stretched my hair straight in only one pass, that the brittleness it left behind wasn’t worth it. I also thought, Well, maybe it’ll save time. Wrong. I spent more time than I would during my regular process because I had to work in small sections since my roots are thicker than most other hair types. I won’t go as far as saying that Dyson isn’t inclusive, because not every product under a brand is going to be perfect for everyone — but as for the Airstrait, I don’t think my texture was heavily considered.
Dyson Airstrait, $499
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