Chitosan Pre-Styling Hair Cream and Post-Styling Serum: I have heat-straightened 3a curls, and Dyson’s Chitosan Pre-Styling Hair Cream and Post-Styling Serum are my favorite styling products to use when I’m not testing heat protectants. (I wish these products were heat protective, but they’re not.) They use a polymer derived from oyster mushrooms, which provides a hold that’s noticeable yet also lightweight and flexible. Even on the most humid of days, the “Curly to Coily” Pre-Styling Hair Cream smooths my hair during blow-drying, and the Post-Styling Serum keeps it frizz-free without weighing it down. (Dyson also offers a lighter “Straight to Wavy” version.) The only frustrating part is the innovative upside-down pump bottles, which look cool and dispense an exact 0.22 ml of product but are also constantly falling apart. —Kat Merck
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use the Dyson Airwrap as a Hair Dryer?
Yes, the Airwrap includes a dryer attachment. The latest Co-anda2x is designed with a reengineered motor that delivers 30 percent more power and twice the airflow than the original model. Overall, its drying performance is way stronger than its predecessors.
How Does the Dyson Airwrap Compare to Traditional Curling Irons?
The key distinction is Dyson’s use of the Coanda effect, which is (to put it simply) a controlled stream of air that attracts and wraps sections of hair around the barrel. Instead of clamping and manually twisting strands around a heated rod, the Airwrap essentially does the work for you. In testing, this made styling results faster and more uniform.
Traditional curling irons also rely on direct heat, which means a greater risk of damage over time. It also leaves room for uneven curls, missed sections, and temporary dents from the clamp. The Airwrap is also designed with a cold-shot feature, which blasts cool air to set curls in place without hairspray. Most curling irons don’t have this function.
How Do I Clean and Maintain My Dyson Airwrap?
Dyson recommends a monthly filter check if you use it frequently. Always turn the device off, unplug it, and let it cool before handling. (Maintenance instructions were pulled from Dyson’s official site.)
Clean the Filter
- Slide the filter-cleaning brush over the power cable and onto the filter cage. Use a rotating motion to loosen lint.
- Pull the filter cage down the cable, gently open it, and slide it off.
- Rinse the cage under warm running water. Tap to release excess water and let it air dry, best overnight.
- Once dry, clean the filter mesh until all debris has been removed.
- Refit the cage by sliding back up the cord until it snaps into place.
Clean the Attachments
- Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and wring it out well.
- Wipe each barrel from top to bottom while rotating it.
- For the pre-styling dryer, wipe around the front and back.
- Gently remove any hairs from the brushes.
How We Test Dyson Hair Tools
We test each tool on a range of hair types, lengths, and textures, including fine, curly, and color-treated hair. Our testers live in varied climates and span different routines, so we see how these tools perform in different environments.
We time how long it takes to dry freshly washed hair of different thicknesses and lengths. We pay attention to heat distribution and airflow strength across settings, and we note how comfortable the tool feels during styling sessions. Weight, cord length, and dual-voltage compatibility are also factors we consider.
We test every attachment as it’s intended, and we judge ease of use, durability, and styling results.
Beyond our initial two-week testing period, we continue using each tool for several months. This lets us track motor wear, filter maintenance needs, and any overall performance loss.