Shark FlexStyle Review 2023: Our favorite affordable alternative to the Dyson Airwrap

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The power of a great hair day cannot be understated. When you look good, you feel good! I don't make the rules. 

That truth is why I prioritize investing in products and services that make it easy for me to look and feel my best, such as facials, manicures, and a great hair dryer.  

So, when I had the opportunity to try the viral Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System ($299.99) I knew I had to give it a go. With easy-to-use attachments and a powerful airflow, this versatile product promises to make styling your hair a breeze, with no heat damage incurred. As someone who has never been great at styling my own hair, I'm an ideal candidate to see if these promises, and the FlexStyle in general, hold up. I have fine, frizz-prone hair and am rather impatient when it comes to hair styling, so if I can use this tool and make my own hair look good I'm confident you can too. 

What is the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System?

The Shark FlexStyle is a hair multi-styler that allows you create a variety of looks, from straight and shiny strands to bouncy blowouts. With a collection of interchangeable attachments to choose from, the FlexStyle is the only item you need in your styling toolbox and is suited up to replace your hair dryer, curling iron, and straightener. 

While your typical hot tools rely solely on heat to get your hair styled to your liking, the FlexStyle uses a mix of air and heat. The styler even boasts an internal system that consistently measures and regulates the temperature of airflow (1,000x per second, to be exact) so it's never too hot. This means less a lot less heat damage.

There are three heat settings and three airflow settings to choose from, as well as a "cool shot" button that helps set styles with a burst of cold air. 

Haircare and styling are not one size fits all, so tools shouldn't be either. Shark recognizes that. The brand offers a variety of different attachment combinations to choose from, so you can be sure you're set up with a styler that's right for your hair. Some of the popular models include: 

• Build your own Shark FlexStyle ($249.99): A customizable option that includes the FlexStyle and three free attachments of your choice . 
• Shark FlexStyle Ultimate Gift Set ($349.99): The most versatile option includes the FlexStyle, five attachments (oval brush, paddle brush, curl-defining diffuser, styling concentrator, and 1.25" auto-wrap curlers) and a storage case. 
• Shark FlexStyle System Curly & Coily ($299.99): A bundle specifically for curly and coily hair which includes the FlexStyle and four attachments (oval brush, concentrator, curl-defining diffuser, and 1.25" auto-wrap curlers). 

Shark also sells all attachments on their own, so you can always add on to their ready-made bundles.

Using the Shark FlexStyle 

To get a true sense of the product, Shark hooked me up with the full FlexStyle suite. When I first opened the box I was a bit overwhelmed at the sheer amount of attachments. Remember, I'm a hair styling amateur here. But, after a few minutes I quickly got the hang of the multi-styler.

There are two main metrics I was judging this tool on: ease of use and quality of results. The FlexStyle exceeded my expectations on both counts.  

It's easy to use…

The FlexStyle is quite long, but at just 1.54 pounds it's super lightweight and easy to maneuver. The attachments click into the styler with ease. When you just want to use the tool as a blow dryer, simply twist the top half of the gadget and rotate the nozzle to a much-easier-to-use right angle. I appreciate the attention to detail with this thoughtful, ergonomic design. 

The same goes for the heat and air setting buttons, which are well-situated on the device for accessibility. This little detail may seem insignificant to some, but I find it makes using the tool so much more pleasant. If I have to contort my body to be able to use a hair dryer properly, chances are I won't use it, but Shark's user-friendly design makes me reach for this one often. 

Actually using the FlexStyle is a seamless process. I give my hair a rough dry with the blow dryer and then snap in my favorite attachment, usually the oval brush or styling concentrator. I like to use the lowest heat and the highest airflow to get fast results without damaging my strands. 

I will amp the heat up a bit if I'm going for a super styled look, like a sleek mane with the paddle brush or bouncy curls with the auto-wrap curlers, but I've noticed that using the highest heat setting on my fine hair for a whole styling session usually leaves my strands looking a bit more frizzy and less shiny. If maximum shine and softness are your goal, always make sure to set the style with the cool shot too. There's something magical in there.  

With salon-quality results!

I've passed the Shark FlexStyle around to friends with different hair styles than me and we've all been impressed at how fast it whips out stunning results. 

My friend with long, thick hair loved using the auto-wrap curlers for a head of voluminous curls that lasted all night long. Another with short and straight locks was able to go from dripping to dry in less than five minutes. 

My personal favorite way to use the tool is to give my hair a rough dry, section it out into two or four parts, then section by section wrap hair around the oval brush and blast the air for a minute or so. It's the perfect wavy blowout in just minutes. While I have naturally wavy hair, this method gives me a more polished look– one that I'd typically have to spend a lot of money, or many hours watching YouTube tutorials, to achieve. 

Everyone found their own favorite way to use this product. The cool thing is how well it works for a variety of hair types.

The bottom line

The multi-styler may have already had its 15 minutes of fame on social media, but we have a feeling the hype around this gadget won't die down anytime soon. While still pricey at $349.99, the Shark FlexStyle is significantly less expensive than its oft-compared counterpart Dyson Airwrap while still offering a similar hair styling experience.  

If you're looking for a singular gadget that can fulfill all of your hair styling hopes and dreams, the Shark FlexStyle is well worth the investment.