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Everything You Need to Know About Dyson Hair Tools - Answered by Our Expert
Hair tools can be confusing, so we asked AO expert Katy Lilywhite to answer top questions, from heat damage to using the Dyson Airwrap.
Whether you're a styling pro or just starting, chances are you’ve been confused by different hair tools and attachments. To clear up the confusion, we asked Katy Lilywhite, AO’s haircare expert, to answer the most searched hair care questions, from heat damage to how to get your Dyson Airwrap to catch your hair properly.
Choosing the Right Tool
Should I buy a Dyson Airwrap or the Supersonic?
It depends on the look you want to achieve.
Dyson Airwrap is a multi-styler that dries, curls, waves, smooths and volumises hair. It’s ideal if you want all-in-one tool with different attachments for different looks.
Whereas the Dyson Supersonic is a high-performance hair dryer. Both use air to style without extreme heat.
Go for the Supersonic if you mainly want fast, safe drying. Pick the Airwrap if you want more styling versatility.
What’s the difference between Dyson Airstrait and the Corrale?
Both are hair straighteners, but they work in different ways:
- The Dyson Airstrait is like the Airwrap in that it only uses airflow. It straightens and dries simultaneously. Pick the Airstrait if you want a quicker, gentler way to dry and straighten damp hair.
- The Dyson Corrale has flexing copper plates to straighten and offers cordless styling. Go for the Corrale if you want versatility, high heat control, and styling options, as you can curl with it too.
Will it work on my Hair?
Can you use a Dyson Airwrap on wet hair?
Yes, the Airwrap is specially designed to be used on both wet and dry hair.
For best results, follow Dyson’s 80% rule: towel-dry your hair so it’s around 80% dry before styling. This helps reshape your hair’s bonds while drying and gives longer-lasting results.
Can Dyson Airwrap dry hair - what happens if you do?
Yes, especially when using the pre-styling dryer or smoothing brushes. But remember, styling works best on damp hair. Fully dry hair won’t hold a curl as well.
Can you use Dyson Corrale on wet hair?
No, the Corrale has heated plates and should only be used on fully dry hair. Using it on wet hair can cause damage.
Can I use the Dyson Airwrap on short hair?
Yes, the Airwrap works well on short styles. Attachments like the 20mm barrel is great for creating tighter curls on short hair, while brushes like the soft smoothing or round volumising brush work brilliantly on fringes and shorter layers.
Does Dyson Airwrap work on thin hair?
Yes, it’s great for all hair types. If you’re worried about which hair type you’d fit into, take the hair profile quiz on Dyson Airwrap I.D. You only need to do this once when setting it up. By answering a few questions about your hair type, it gives you personalised settings that calculate wrap, style and cold shot times.
Can the Dyson Airwrap straighten hair?
Yes, the smoothing brushes can create a sleek, straight finish while drying at the same time. They’re designed to tame frizz and add shine without extreme heat.
Are Dyson Airwrap attachments interchangeable?
Yes, current Airwrap attachments are compatible across models, but future versions might differ.
Dyson Styling Guide: Attachments Explained
The attachments that come with your Dyson Airwrap may vary depending on the model you have, but here’s a simple breakdown of what each one does and which hair types they work best for:
Barrels – for curling and waving
Dyson Airwrap barrels are available in various widths and lengths for a range of hair types and styles. Each barrel can curl hair in both directions, all you do is switch the airflow.
- Conical barrel – For more defined curls at the root and looser curls at the ends – ideal for creating natural-looking, lived-in styles. Great for all hair lengths.
- 40mm barrel / 40mm long barrel – Best for loose, bouncy curls and waves. The wider barrel gives a softer, more relaxed curl. Great for longer or thicker hair types. Use the standard barrel for shorter lengths.
- 30mm barrel / 30mm long barrel – Creates voluminous curls and waves. Ideal for adding bounce for short to mid-length hair with the standard barrel, or longer hair with the long version.
- 20mm barrel – Creates tighter curls and waves, with better hold for fine hair. Or ideal for all hair lengths if you want to create tighter curls.
Brush attachments – for smoothing, shaping and volume
- Soft smoothing brush / small soft smoothing brush – Smooths and shapes hair as it dries – best for fine hair. Ideal for creating sleek, straight styles with added movement or volume. The small version is perfect for shorter styles or fringes.
- Firm smoothing brush – Designed for thick or curly hair to tame frizz and flyaways. Helps create straight, smooth looks with a polished finish. Use the small size for shorter styles or more precise styling like smoothing fringes.
- Small volumising brush – Adds volume, body and shape to the hair as it dries. Perfect for creating a smooth blow-dry finish, flicks and C-curls. Choose the small brush for short to mid-length hair and the standard version for chest-length or longer.
- Large round volumising brush – Specifically designed for long hair. Great for adding bounce, body and achieving a voluminous salon-style blowout at home.
Drying attachments
- Wide-tooth comb – dries, shapes and combs hair simultaneously. For curling and coily hair. Best suited for volumising and stretching blowouts, elongating curls.
- Diffuser – enhances natural waves, curls and coils. Best suited for defining natural textures and controlling fizz.
- Dyrer and fly away smoother is a multi-functional attachment best to dry, smooth and hide flyaways.
- Fast dryer – for fast drying.
Top Tips for Using Your Dyson Airwrap
What do you put on your hair before using Dyson Airwrap?
Skip the heat protectant as the Airwrap’s low heat makes it unnecessary, meaning it could weigh your hair down and cause curls to drop. Instead, apply a lightweight mousse or styling spray to help hold curls or volume.
Why aren’t my Airwrap curls lasting?
Many people tend to use heavy products before styling their hair with the Airwrap, which can weigh it down.
You might be overlooking the cold shock feature. After curling each section of hair, be sure to apply cold shock for 10 to 15 seconds before releasing the curl from the styler. This technique helps to set your curls in place and improve their longevity.
How do I get my Dyson Airwrap to catch my hair?
It takes practice, it will take a few goes to get the knack right. However, our top tip is don’t think about curling your hair like you would if you were using a traditional curling iron.
Try this technique:
- Make sure your hair is about 80% dry. If your hair is too wet, it won’t wrap. If it’s too dry, it won’t hold the curl.
- Dyson barrels have arrows indicating airflow direction. The airflow should blow away from your face for the most flattering curls.
- Make sure you hold the barrel vertically next to the section of hair you want to curl. Don’t need to twist your hair around the barrel like a traditional curler.
- Keep the tool still and bring the ends of the hair close, it should start to wrap around on its own.
- Once caught, hold the barrel in place and slowly move upward toward your roots.
Thin, even sections catch more easily. If you try to style too much hair at once, the airflow won’t have enough power to pull it in.
The technique takes time. It gets much easier once you find the right angle and speed.
Troubleshooting & Maintenance
Do Dyson products cause heat damage?
No, Dyson tools like the Airwrap, Supersonic, and Airstrait are designed to style without extreme heat. Dyson tools use controlled airflow and intelligent heat regulation to protect your hair.
Why is my Dyson Airwrap not working?
A red light on your Dyson Airwrap typically signals one of two issues: overheating or a clogged filter.
If your device has overheated, switch it off and allow it to cool completely before turning it back on. However, if the red light persists or your Airwrap keeps cutting out with weak airflow, it’s likely due to a blocked filter.
A clogged filter can restrict airflow, causing the device to overheat and automatically shut off to prevent damage. Regular filter cleaning is essential to keep your Airwrap performing at its best. When it comes to cleaning your Airwrap. For optimal performance, you should clean your Airwrap once a month. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your Airwrap.
