Dyson dupe! I tried the Shark FlexStyle for quick styling without the fuss

It comes in at $499 (as opposed to $900) but is virtually the same, if not better.  

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If you've been eyeing the Dyson Airwrap since it launched — same girl, same. 

But if you're like me and your hair is... difficult, you're probably unsure about forking out the big bucks for something you're not sure is gonna be able to tame the beast.

Well, lemme tell you a secret. A new all-in-one hair tool has landed in Australia after sell-out success in the US and UK and it promises to do all the same things but without breaking the bank.

Meet the Shark FlexStyle Hair Styler, the cost-effective dupe giving the fancy schmancy Dyson a run for its money.

Priced at $499 compared to Dyson's hefty $900 price tag, the Shark FlexStyle is not just a cheaper alternative; it might just be better too. 

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The Shark FlexStyle has been blowing up on TikTok. Image: TikTok

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What is the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System?

If you've spent any amount of TikTok and your algorithm is beauty-focused, you've likely seen or heard of the Shark FlexStyle.

The hashtag alone has over 403 million views and ahead of its launch down under, there were over 12,500 people on the waitlist.  

It's kind of a big deal, you could say. So what is it, exactly?

The Shark FlexStyle isn't just your average hair dryer. Unlike other tools that may leave your hair dry and damaged, this powerful no-heat-damage dryer ensures your strands stay healthy thanks to its unique design that maintains a low heat. You can also customise the temperature settings to your specific needs. 

But here's the twist (literally) – with a simple turn, it transforms into an ultra-versatile multi-styler, with five different attachments to suit all your styling needs.

You can curl, volumise, diffuse, straighten or smooth, all at the same time as you dry your hair, ensuring a much faster daily routine.

Whether you're a styling pro or a beginner, the Shark FlexStyle is designed for everyone and is suitable for all hair types and skill sets.

Image: Shark

What attachments are there and what do they do?

The Shark FlexStyle comes in a luxe travel case and includes the below five attachments:

Auto-wrap curlers: These curlers attach to the styler and automatically curl your hair thanks to Coanda Technology. At 15 cm in length, the auto-wrap curlers are ideal for creating glamourous or textured, loose curls for longer hair lengths. It also includes two curlers to curl in different directions. 

Oval brush: This smooths, defrizzes, and adds volume and bounce.

Paddle brush: This straightens and smooths your hair, all at once. A combination of boar and nylon bristles detangles, smooths and adds shine.

Styling concentrator: Attach this rotatable nozzle when in hair dryer mode for a better angle and more control while you style and dry.

Curl-defining diffuser: Attach this for fast, even drying from root to tip. It features retractable and extendable prongs so you can style to your liking.

Image: Supplied

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I trialled it to see if it lived up to the hype

Ok, now for the fun part - the trial!

But first, a little about my hair. It's medium length, quite damaged due to bleaching and it LOVES to frizz whenever it gets the chance, which is always.

Now, a little about me. I am extremely lazy when it comes to my hair routine.

I hate having to go from washing my hair, to blow drying it, to straightening it, just so I can leave the house looking put-together.

So, any tool that can streamline this process is already in my good books. 

Image: Supplied

It cut down my hair styling time in half

When I got the chance to try the Shark Flexstyle, I was most excited about the Oval Brush attachment due to its promise to smooth, defrizz and add volume to your hair. This would be the attachment I would be using on a regular basis, so I decided to give it a spin. 

And boy, did it perform as promised!

After a bit of hair oil, because you can never be too protected, I began working the brush through my hair from roots to ends.

I started with my hair about 60% dry and found that I had to go over each piece about three times in total to get it smooth.

When you consider the time it would usually take to blow dry and then straighten hair, this was much, much quicker.

All up it took about 10 minutes, so I'd say it cut down my styling time by about a half. Talk about a hack!

Before and after. Image: Supplied

My verdict 

The end result was similar to that of a boujee salon blow-out and the results lasted well into the following day. I also noticed that my hair had an amazing shine to it which is pretty impressive, considering how much I've dyed it over the years. 

Altogether, I loved using the FlexStyle and it's quickly becoming my go-to styling tool. I just leave it plugged in now!

On my next go, I'm going to try creating more of a bend at the bottom of the hair by rotating the brush under towards my face.

I also can't wait to give the diffuser a go and unleash the potential of my chronically wavy but never-quite-curly hair. 

I'm not the only one loving it...

Don't just take my word for it. Kidspot's lifestyle editor Leah also gave it a go and has been loving it as well. 

She said, "I like to think of this as the Thermomix of hair styling (except it's much cheaper!)

"It includes all of the other appliances you might have in the bathroom cupboard all in one unit."

She added, "My favourite is definitely the round brush - it gives my thin hair so much volume without the frizz."

Originally published as Dyson dupe! I tried the Shark FlexStyle for quick styling without the fuss