We Tried the Dyson Airwrap Complete on 3 Different Hair Types

The latest and greatest beauty product to go viral on TikTok is none other than the Dyson Airwrap Complete. So many videos have shown the near-comical learning curve it takes to get the hang of such a styler, said to "give people a great smooth finish without using extreme heat," according to hairstylist and Dyson ambassador Jen Atkin.

With all the hype surrounding the styler, Allure couldn't wait to get a few editors' hairs wrapped around the hot tool. To give it a fair, well-rounded review, I recruited two of my colleagues with different hair types from mine to provide some tips and tricks from our personal experience with the Dyson Airwrap Complete.

Before we get into the reviews, though, let me show you the details that made this tool an Allure 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner. The Airwrap works by harnessing a scientific phenomenon called the Coandā effect, in which high-velocity air inside round objects creates a powerful vortex (think jet engines). You can thank Sir James Dyson, the CEO and engineering-obsessed eccentric behind the eponymous brand, for producing your favorite space-age vacuum, fan, hair-dryer, and now, styling tool.

He made the gadgety Airwrap possibly the most desirable hair-styling tool ever to exist, in my humble opinion. So what's included, you ask? Inside the sleek storage case, you will find individual pockets where each of the six styling attachments can be stored, as well as a deep pocket for the Airwrap's base and cord. The attachments are comprised of 1.2- and 1.6-inch Airwrap barrels to create loose or voluminous curls — your choice. A firm smoothing brush for frizz control and a soft smoothing brush for fine hair. Along with a round volumizing brush to shape your hair and a pre-styling hair dryer.

With so many attachments to choose from, it can be a bit of a learning curve to find the right tools for your hair type, which is where we come in. I along with two other Allure editors — varying in hair textures — give their take on the tool below.

Allure's beauty and wellness editor, Taylore Glynn, gives the ultimate tip after trying the tool for the first time. "This tool works best on a damp head," she advises. (If you don't have time to shower, the brand's tutorials recommend spritzing your hair with water from a spray bottle.) After washing her hair with Sachajuan's color-protecting shampoo and conditioner she towel-dried, ran a couple of drops of Crown Affair's lightweight hair oil through her hair, and air-dried about 70 percent of the way before plugging in the Airwrap Complete.

After snapping the pre-styling dryer attachment, which Glynn notes looks like a mini version of Dyson's best-selling Supersonic Hair Dryer onto the tool, she flipped her head upside down and blow-dried her roots for extra volume. "Then came the intimidating part: actually styling the hair," Glynn remarks. After taking a beat to recognize which 1.6-inch barrel to use for the correct curl direction, "the rest of the process was awkward but easy," she jokes. After getting the hang of things, she began separating her hair into sections, winding them around the wand one by one, and switching barrel attachment to style the other side. "Just follow the barrel arrows for styling direction," Glynn says.

Her final thoughts? "My hair is long and straight and doesn't have a lot of texture to grip the wand, so it took a few tries to get the attachment to catch the hair and curl it," she says. Next time, she'll be sure to divide her hair into smaller sections and apply a styling cream to get a better hold. "Even with a terrible technique, my hair came out looking truly styled," Glynn says. And if you gravitate towards those bouncy, polished, Blake Lively-esque curls you can usually only achieve after an hour in the stylist's chair, Glynn assures you, "this is worth the investment."

Senior beauty editor Dianna Mazzone started using the Dyson Airwrap about two years ago and hasn't looked back since. "My current [hair-care] routine goes a little something like this: After washing and towel-drying my hair, I apply R+Co Bleu Magnifier Thickening Spray at my roots and comb Harklinikken Leave-In Hair Hydrating Crème through my mid-lengths and ends," she says. Then, she waits until her hair is about 80 percent dry — which takes approximately 15 minutes with fine hair like hers — before grabbing her Airwrap.

With the six attachments to choose from, Mazzone always gravitates toward the round brush, separating her hair into four-inch sections. "The round shape helps build volume, especially at my roots," she says. Her tip? Use the round brush gently under your ends; it gives a bouncy, blown-out look, every time.

With thick, wavy hair, I was in for a treat after my laborious wash day while I watched Dyson's Smooth and Straight Style Guide. As someone who leans heavily on their Revlon Blow Dry Brush — which is significantly cheaper than this $550 tool — I was optimistic the Airwrap would send my previous go-to styler into early retirement. To be fair, with this being my first go-round using the Airwrap Complete (and my first day back in the office since 2020, ironically), I decided to try it on only half my head. It would give a pretty epic side-by-side comparison, right? Right.

Because my hair was already clean and dry with nothing but some heat protectant on it, I gravitated toward the firm smoothing brush to stretch out my waves to create a smooth canvas before attempting the 1.6-inch barrels. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Why are you curling your naturally curly hair?" The Dyson gives a completely different curl compared to my natural texture, so let me live! Plus, I don't feel as guilty styling with this tool because the hot air, controlled by vents, styles hair at lower and less damaging temperatures than traditional tools.

After smoothing the front section of my hair, it was time to attempt the barrels. While I can't say I totally nailed it on the first try, I did get the hang of the round volumizing brush I swapped the barrels out minutes later. With the round brush snapped in, I could grab a larger section of hair at once, creating a big C-shaped wave that had tremendous bounce.

With three Allure editors' feedback in the books, here are our three main takeaways (points, if you will): damp hair works best, use a styling cream for better grip, and smaller sections make for better results.

The Dyson Airwrap Complete — now slightly upgraded to the Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long — retails for $600 at dyson.com. On the nonzero chance it's sold out, you can always sign up to be notified when the hot tool is available for purchase. (TL;DR: shop fast.)

More hot tool reviews:

• The 27 Best Beauty Tools of 2021
• The 23 Best Curling Irons and Wands for Every Budget
• GHD's Max Styler Cut Straightening Time for My Thick, Curly Hair in Half

Now, watch Peyton List's ten minute sun-protected, shimmery beauty routine: