Hairdresser reveals secrets, products to make Dyson Airwrap curls last
It’s one of the most sought-after hair tools in the world — but one issue is causing division among Airwrap devotees. Here’s how to fix it.
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There’s no denying the Dyson Airwrap is groundbreaking when it comes to hair.
After testing it out for several weeks I can attest that it’s definitely worth the hype (and the $899 price tag) — you can read my full review here.
The Airwrap manages to combine the best features of the Supersonic hairdryer, as well as extra tools to smooth, curl straighten and add body to your hair — the styling possibilities are endless.
But while the Airwrap has millions of devoted fans, one complaint does come up again and again among users.
While some Airwrap devotees are able to make their hairstyle for days on end, others complain that they can only get a few hours out of each style, especially curls.
Melbourne influencer Jacquie Alexander sums it up well in her Dyson Airwrap review on TikTok: “I think the Dyson is so good for someone who doesn’t really know what they’re doing with their hair.
“I love how it makes my hair feel, I love how it doesn’t damage the hair, you’re not using really high heat on your hair.
“However, I have seen people commenting that they curl their hair and then it lasts for a week, and I just call bulls**t on that.”
So, can you get your Dyson Airwrap style to truly last? To find out we’ve consulted an expert.
Dyson Airwrap multi-styler, $899
HOW TO MAKE YOUR AIRWRAP STYLE LAST LONGER
According to Peter Thomsen, hairdresser and Dyson global styling ambassador, a common mistake he sees when people use the Airwrap is not having hair in the right condition to begin with.
“A classic mistake I see some people making on social media is using the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler on dry hair, which I don’t recommend as the style may not last as long,” he told news.com.au.
“That’s because the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler, is a wet-to-dry styler – it leverages the moisture in the hair to break the hydrogen bonds in preparation for styling – removing the need for extreme heat.
“The bonds reform as the hair dries, locking the style in place. If you don’t have time to wash your hair, use a water spray to dampen it.”
Mr Thomsen said that different hair types need different styling methods but that Dyson had invested millions in research before making the Airwrap.
“As a professional stylist, I style many different hair types and each one has unique requirements – what may work for one, may not work for another,” he said.
“For me, it’s incredible that Dyson engineers have been relentlessly researching the science of hair for almost a decade, testing on a variety of hair types investing over £100 million (AU$180 million) to glean new insights into hair profiles globally.”
To ensure you had the best chance at getting your Airwrap style to last Mr Thomsen stressed the need to work with hair that was only 80 per cent dry, using the cool shot for 10 to 15 seconds after each curl as well as “keeping your hair in the best condition possible by protecting hair health”.
“Hair that has been damaged by excessive heat can be dull, lifeless and prone to less retention, but with the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler you can achieve curls and waves with no heat damage for more natural shine,” he said.
If you want to preserve your Airwrap curls overnight Mr Thomsen recommended styling your hair and securing it in place before you sleep.
“By locking the style in place and not loosening the curls by tying your hair up before your head hits the pillow, you’ll have more chance of avoiding unwanted kinks and shapes in the morning too,” Mr Thomsen said.
PRODUCTS THAT HELP
As well as ensuring you are using the Airwrap correctly, there are products that can help enhance your styles — here are my tried and tested picks, plus some recommendations courtesy of Airwrap users on TikTok.
Schwarzkopf got2b Beach Matt Texturizing Salt Spray 200ml, Amazon Australia, $13.74
This sea salt spray has gone viral on TikTok not just for being affordable, but also because users say it gives their Airwrap styles serious volume and staying power. For best results give your hair a generous spray once it’s 80 per cent dry and before you begin styling with other attachments.
“got2b Beach Matt Spray for your Dyson is a game changer,” @elizabeth.makeup.artist said in one video, crediting the spray with giving her “stunning texture”.
evo root canal volumising spray 200mL, Adore Beauty, $38
This volumising spray came highly recommended to me by a hairdresser friend. I have stubbornly fine, straight hair so I apply it to my roots after towel drying my hair and it helps to give my hair a nice lift.
Mr. Smith The Foundation 200ml, Adore Beauty, $40
Another hairdresser recommendation, as the name suggests this creme is designed to be used on damp hair as a base to held hold heat style — think of it as a more lightweight alternative to mousse. While it doesn’t perform miracles I find it’s a nice alternative to using hair spray when I don’t want a crunchy hold.
Christophe Robin Volumising Mist with Rose Extracts, Adore Beauty, $51
This gorgeous smelling volumising mist is another favourite as I find it works well with my fine hair. Like the root canal spray I apply it to towel dried hair before styling for a lovely natural-looking lift.
MOROCCANOIL Dry Texture Spray, Adore Beauty, $57.50
This gives my curtain bangs extra lift and hold after I’ve finished using the Airwrap to style them. It adds texture without looking crunchy and it’s also a great alternative to dry shampoo.
Ouai Matte Pomade 50ml, Sephora, $37
I learnt this tip off TikTok and boy has it been a game changer when it comes to giving my Airwrap styled bangs that extra hold. Simply get a tiny amount of pomade (this Ouai one gets recommended a lot, but you can also just steal your boyfriend’s) and use to twist the ends of your bangs up for that perfect flicked finish. Only use a little amount though or else it will become too heavy and drop.
TRESemmé Hair Hairspray Salon Finish 360g, Amazon Australia, $7.99
In my opinion TRESemmé is one of the best supermarket hair brands you can get — their Propure Cleanse dry shampoo is one of my favourites. I like using this hairspray when I’ve used the Airwrap to style my hair for an event and want guaranteed hold. I find it holds without being too sticky or stiff to the touch and the smell is much more pleasant compared to other hair sprays.
MY VERDICT
I’m a big fan of the Airwrap — I think it makes styling hair if you’re a total novice like me really easy once you learn how each function works.
However, I’ve come to accept that my fine, naturally straight hair is never going to hold Airwrap styles for days on end like the women who go viral on TikTok for their perfectly curled tresses.
Having said that using the right products, especially before you’ve even started styling, definitely helps and I can easily get an evening out of an Airwrap style.
I also don’t mind too much that the styles don’t hold for days on end because even when my Airwrap curls fall out my hair has less frizz and flyaways, as well as looking more shiny than when I just let my hair air dry naturally.
Dyson Airwrap multi-styler, $899
Probably the best advice I’ve seen is from @annabellehooperrr, a US TikToker who has amassed over 125,000 followers on the app for sharing Airwrap tutorials.
In a video viewed more than 3.1 million times Annabelle acknowledges the fact that some people just “love to hate” the Dyson Airwrap because of the cost.
“One of the main comments I get is that for the price tag you shouldn’t have to put in any work to get it to work for you and that is just not the case with literally anything in life,” she says.
“So I’m here to tell you that it is possible … don’t lose hope yet, because I’ve unlocked the secret ingredient for it to work for my hair.”
More Coverage
Check out our heatless curls guide that Abbie Chatfield is obsessed with, as well as the $69 hair straightener that “beats” exxy versions.
If you’d like a cheeky discount on your next shop check out news.com.au Coupons with discount codes for big brands like Adore Beauty and Sephora.
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