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Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review
4:00 pm | September 8, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer two-minute review

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer is a petite styler that performs surprisingly well considering its small size. In my hunt for the best hair dryer, I've yet to come across a compact styler that truly delivers full power and perfect performance, but the Dreame Pocket comes tantalizingly close. 

Despite weighing just 10.5oz / 300g and measuring a tiny 1.97 x 5.71 x 7.91in /  5 x 14.5 x 20.1cm, it has all the power and versatility of a full-sized styler. Its high-speed motor operates at 110,000 RPM and generates a powerful airflow of 70 m/s, all while keeping noise levels below 80dB. It provides five modes to suit different hair types and needs, ranging from Cold, Warm and Hot to the Instant Cold Air cool shot, and Hot & Cold Cycling mode designed to reduce potential heat damage. It comes with two attachments: the Unfrizz nozzle for sleek, straight hair, and the Curling nozzle for creating curls or waves.

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my long, thin hair using the dryer's Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed but the improvement in hair quality was worth this small time sacrifice. 

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer in its storage bag

(Image credit: Future)

And all this is before we even get to the fact the Dreame Pocker dryer is foldable. This not only only means it can be easily stored inside its Dreame-branded storage bag ready for travelling, but it also allows you to adjust how the dryer is used. For example, when the dryer is in the "7" shape, it can be used on its own, or with the Unfrizz nozzle attached. You can then extend the barrel up into a "1" shape before attaching the Curling nozzle and turning the dryer into a curling wand. This hinged design additionally allows you to change the angle of the barrel mid-style, to help you dry hard-to-reach areas and bring a high-level of precision and control. 

The dryer isn't perfect, though. The performance of the Curling nozzle lets it down, and the attachments themselves are so clunky that they detract from the effort that has been made to pack a whole load of power into such a compact shape. That doesn't mean the Dreame Pocket isn't a good investment. Whether you need a quick touch-up on the go, or a full styling session at home, this hair dryer delivers professional results in a compact package. Just don't expect miracles.

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: price & availability

  • List price: $159.99
  • Available: US/EU

The $159.99 / €159 Dreame Pocket hair dryer is the latest launch in Dreame's growing hair care range, joining the $99 / €79 Dreame Gleam, and $129 / €129 Dreame Glory.

It's sold in the US as well as in a select number of countries in continental Europe from the Dreame website, and Amazon. The folding dryer is available in a Titanium Gold color and ships with two attachments – the Unfrizz Nozzle, and Curling Nozzle – as standard.

Its price and power puts the Pocket dryer in the mid-range bracket, sandwiched between the likes of the $129 T3 Featherweight and the $149.99 BaByliss Pro Portofino. Its folding design and compact, lightweight shape also position it in the travel dryer category, where its rivals include the $139 Drybar Baby Buttercup and the $199 GHD Flight+, while the attachments even draw comparisons with the Shark FlexStyle and even the Dyson Airwrap

As a result, the Dreame Pocket stands largely in a category of its own and this enhances its value for money and versatility. It's not cheap but these features go a long way towards justifying its price tag.

  • Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer specs

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: design

  • 3-in-1 folding design
  • 5 modes and 2 airflow speeds
  • Curling and Unfrizz attachments
  • Comes with storage bag

The first thing I noticed about the Dreame Pocket hair dryer, other than just how light and compact it is at 10oz / 300g, was its folding design. Other foldable dryers tend to mask or disguise the folding mechanism. Dreame instead makes a feature of it by not only designing the hinge in chrome, while the rest of the dryer is a brushed gold color, but also in showing almost the full hinge itself. 

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer folded

(Image credit: Future)

The mechanism is incredibly smooth and the barrel locks securely into place, whether you're using it as a standard dryer, in the so-called "7" shape; extending the barrel upwards into a "1" shape with the Curling nozzle attached; or when you're folding it in half, into an "N" shape, ready to pack into a bag. The Pocket dryer measures 1.97 × 5.71 × 7.91in / 5 × 14 × 20.1cm. 

Rear of the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Future)

On the rear of the cylindrical barrel is a curved filter, and there are just two controls on the dryer's handle – the Airflow switch, and a Mode selection button. This buttons are used to control Pocket's two airflow speeds, Low and High, and its five temperature modes:

  • Cold 
  • Warm
  • Hot
  • Instant Cold Air Mode 
  • Hot & Cold Cycling Mode

The Cold, Warm and Hot modes are relatively self-explanatory. The Instant Cold Air mode is effectively a Cool Shot that allows you to blast your hair with cold air instantly, without having to re-cycle through the modes to reach the dedicated Cold setting. As the name suggests, the Hot and Cold Cycling Mode then cycles between hot and cold air as you style your hair, in a bid to reduce potential heat damage. I first used this feature on the BaByliss Air Wand and while it increases the styling time slightly, it makes a noticeable difference to the finish and feel of your hair. 

Controls on the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Future)

It's easy to see at a glance which mode you're using on the Dreame Pocket, thanks to color-coded LEDs on the Mode selection button. A solid blue light represents Cold mode. Press the button again and you'll see a solid orange light which represents Warm mode. A solid red light represents Hot mode, and the lights will repeatedly flash between red and blue on the Cycling Mode. To enable the Instant Cold Air mode, just press and hold the button until the light turns blue. Note that once you stop pressing and holding the button, the dryer will return to whichever mode was previously selected. 

The hair dryer comes with two attachments, designed to create and set a range of straight, wavy and curly styles, and which both lock in to place on the Pocket's barrel using magnets. The Curling Nozzle looks almost identical to the curling wand attachment on the Shark FlexStyle, and it uses the same coanda effect found on both the FlexStyle and Dyson Airwrap to pull the hair and wrap it around the barrel. This dries the hair and sets it into a curl or wave, depending on how tight you wrap the hair, and how long you hold it in place. 

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer with its attachments

(Image credit: Future)

Dreame's Unfrizz Nozzle reminds me of the Flyaway attachment found on the Dyson Supersonic. It uses the Coanda effect to draw the hair towards the attachment, before using the so-called Bernoulli effect to reduce frizz and flyaways. The Bernoulli effect means that the faster the air, the lower the pressure. When used on the Pocket dryer, this effect helps calm flyaway hairs, causing them to lie flat. 

Both attachments are large compared to the compact dryer, and look almost out of place when attached. The Curling nozzle alone is the same height as the entire dryer and this detracts slightly from the travel-friendly nature of the whole setup. To put this into perspective, the dryer ships with a small Dreame-branded, waterproof storage bag which is only just big enough to store the dryer and its 5ft / 1.5m cord. You need to do some clever packing in order to get the zip to do up with the attachments inside, and even then, it's tight.

To truly appeal to all hair types, I would have liked to see the Dreame Pocket ship with a diffuser, but this is a minor point. Also, the Pocket is not dual voltage, unlike the GHD Flight+, which may limit its usability in regions with different electrical standards.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: performance

  • 1000-watt motor
  • High-speed motor operates at 110,000RPM 
  • 79dB average noise

There is very often a trade-off in power and performance when you buy a travel hair dryer, or even a compact dryer for that fact. This is not the case with the Dreame Pocket. I was amazed – and I don't use that word lightly – with how well this dryer performed on my longer, fine hair. 

The airflow speed, even on Low, does a fantastic job of drying the hair quickly without blasting it into submission. Despite the small barrel and grille, the hair dryer manages to cover a large amount of hair as it dries, and being able to grip the handle completely provides a high level of precision and control, as does the fact you can subtly alter the angle of the barrel to direct the airflow. I had worried that the location of the buttons would cause me to knock them mid-style by accident, but this wasn't the case. They're perfectly positioned to be able to apply enough pressure to change the mode, without ever getting in the way. 

A hand holding the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Future)

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my hair using the Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed. 

I experimented with all of the various combinations of airflow speeds versus modes and the best results I achieved were using the Pocket Dryer on Cycling mode at High speed. The smooth and sleek finish it creates is worth the slightly longer drying times, plus after four weeks of use, my hair felt and looked healthier. Adding the Unfrizz nozzle to the mix then further enhanced just how smooth and healthy my hair looked. This nozzle takes a little getting used to as you run it along the shaft of the hair but it makes a noticeable difference. It also helps bring second-day and even bed-hair under control. 

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer with its Unfrizz  Nozzle attached

(Image credit: Future)

I had less success with the Curling nozzle, however. I've never rated the Airwrap all that highly because I find its curling wands to be poor, and I had the same issue with the Pocket dryer. To get the best results, your hair can't be too dry or too wet and getting this balance right is an art in itself. The Pocket's Curling nozzle does a better job, in my opinion, of pulling the hair into place than the Dyson, but it's still too unwieldy and temperamental for my liking. I get much quicker, better, long-lasting results with my curling tong. I also found the weight distribution to be a little unbalanced when using the Pocket in the "1" shape and this added to my frustrations. This is a major flaw in an otherwise fantastic dryer. 

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer on its side

(Image credit: Future)

On the plus side, the magnets do a great job of keeping the attachments locked in place when you need them to, while allowing you to swap the nozzles in and out easily and safely while styling. And the final positive feature of note on the Pocket dryer is how quiet it is. There is little difference, noise-wise, between the Low and High speed settings with both averaging just 79dB during my review period. It is easy to have a conversation, or hear your music or TV while using this dryer.  

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if….

How I tested the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

I used the Dreame Pocket as my go-to styler over the course of four weeks at home and during a weekend trip away. I used it most mornings as a replacement for my usual hair dryer – the Revlon One Step – to dry and style my long, thin hair. For travel testing, I packed the dryer in its storage bag and included it in my carry-on luggage for a weekend trip. 

To thoroughly test the dryer, I experimented with the full range of speed and temperature combinations, and nozzles. I paid close attention to the dryer’s features, how fast and effectively each of the modes and attachments worked, and how easy it was to use. I measured the decibel levels of the dryer on Low and High speeds throughout the testing period to achieve an average noise score. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

RevAir hair dryer review: designed to tackle complex hair
4:00 pm | August 17, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

RevAir hair dryer two-minute review

The RevAir hair dryer is designed around the knowledge that curly folks — particularly those with especially curly type four hair like mine — spend more time and energy blow-drying and straightening their hair.

In response, RevAir developed a first-of-its-kind reverse-air dryer that’s extremely easy to use. Instead of the pistol-shaped body or wand form factors we’re used to seeing in some of the best hair dryers and best Dyson Airwrap dupes, the RevAir hair dryer opts for a unique design that looks far more like one of the best vacuum cleaners.

Somewhat similar to the Dyson Airwrap, the RevAir draws air into its wand, using reverse-air suction to gently tug on the hair to dry, stretch and reduce shrinkage. It offers seven tension settings to accommodate a variety of hair types, and uses internal sensors to maintain an even temperature and reduce heat damage.

A person using the RevAir hair dryer

(Image credit: RevAir)

It’s far from perfect, with its bulky design and loud components, but this vacuum-style dryer is worth the space it takes up, especially when dealing with children’s hair.

Those with braids or who simply want more manageability built into their styling routine may also like how this hair dryer—especially when used briefly—can save you from a literal headache.

RevAir hair dryer review: price & availability

  • Price: $399
  • Availability: US only

With an MSRP of $399 the RevAir appears costly at face value, but if you consider how few and far between devices with such versatility are, and that everyone in the family can use it, then the cost is somewhat justified.

Also, when I purchased mine, I took advantage of a coupon that brought down the cost. It is available on the RevAir site, as well as at Bloomingdale’s and Best Buy.

Unfortunately, it’s not sold in the UK or Australia, but it can be imported from the US. It needs a hefty transformer setup to get it working though, and it’s not recommended.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

RevAir hair dryer specs

RevAir hair dryer review: design

  • Bulky and heavy
  • Long hose
  • Seven power settings

The RevAir looks not unlike an old-school vacuum cleaner with a long hose attached to a box (the base). You may have stumbled upon something like it in your grandmother's attic.

Just like those old vacuums, and with all the extra parts, this blow dryer is heavier than average. It weighs 8lbs / 3.6kg, but luckily, you’re not necessarily holding all that weight since the 5.5ft / 1.68m hose is long and lightweight. Probably 80% of the weight is in the base which would sit on a surface like your counter or bed, depending where you’re using it. Altogether, the product is pretty bulky at 7.94 x 7.25 x 7.68in / 20.17 x 18.44 x 19.51cm.

Power settings on the RevAir reverse air hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

The wand, which is also larger than most, feels like holding a regular blow dryer. There are seven tension settings, which control the intensity of the suction via a dial on the side of the device. The RevAir also has three heat settings that can be controlled using a switch on the handle: 158F / 70C for low, 220F / 104C for high, and then a cool shot. Two other convenient features are the rack attachment for storing the wand, and the mesh filter basket, which is included in the accessory-laden “total package” bundle from RevAir.

  • Design score: 3 out of 5

RevAir hair dryer review: performance

  • Easy to use
  • Sucks instead of blowing
  • Dries fast and reduces heat damage

What stood out to me most when testing the RevAir was the ease of use and the time I saved. I still had to detangle my hair by hand after washing, but I felt like the RevAir helped with relaxing the coils so that each section became more manageable. That’s probably the reverse-air technology keeping my hair from getting overly frizzy.

The RevAir works using the opposite technique of a typical blow dryer. It actually sucks the excess water from your hair and that, in turn, helps to seal your cuticle since it’s pulling the hair in its natural direction.

Before using, you may be a little anxious about your hair getting stuck. My 4c hair tends to tangle very easily, but after a few passes, I had no concerns about it getting stuck anywhere in the RevAir. There is nothing in the blow dryer for your hair to get caught on but if you were concerned, you could just turn off the suction.

RevAir reverse air hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

I initially didn’t think about using the RevAir for drying braids. I don’t wear braids often, as I’m a swimmer—triathlete, to be exact— and excessive water can weigh down locks, braids, and twists and leave your shirt soaked for hours. However, inserting a braid or plait into the wand is just as easy as it would be to grab a small section. Thus, the RevAir can give you more freedom with hairstyles without sacrificing washes (chlorine is damaging after all).

One downside is that, unlike other modern dryers, the RevAir won’t work for a blowout at home. You can’t “bump” with a brush or the wand like a standard dryer or Dyson Airwrap. Nonetheless, and much like those other tools, you’d have to follow up with a flatiron or a different styling tool anyway for curlier hair types, so that doesn’t take much from the product.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the RevAir hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Your family has coily hair and you’re seeking manageability

This dryer is perfectly suited for tackling coily hair, so if there’s a lot of that in your home, the RevAir will be your best friend.

You're trying to cut down on drying time and heat damage

The RevAir offers impressively quick drying times and its reverse-air technology serves to protect your locks from heat damage.

You have ample storage space

If space isn’t an issue, the RevAir is among the best products you can use for curly or coily hair.

Don’t buy it if...

You are looking for a portable dryer

With its hefty base, long hose and general form factor, the RevAir is sadly not suited to travel.

You want the look of a blowout

While it comes as close as many of us could hope to salon-styled results, there’s nothing like the real thing.

You won’t use it often

For its price and hefty design, the RevAir is not something to be trifled with; it’s an all-or-nothing kind of hair dryer.

How I tested the RevAir hair dryer

  • I used the RevAir for about 30 minutes once a month for about six months
  • I started on freshly cleaned and detangled hair after removing excess water
  • I sprayed heat protectant spray on each section, which I separated with hair clips

I’ve been testing the RevAir for several months on my thin, medium-length 4c hair, comparing it against my go-to dryer and using my normal daily haircare routine for a fair comparison.

That involves cleaning and detangling my hair, using a cotton t-shirt to soak up excess water and then spraying my sectioned hair with heat protectant.

I’ve been writing about health, wellness and beauty for years, and over that time I’ve identified the most important aspects of value, design and performance that make great products great. This, and my personal hands-on testing, have informed my opinions.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: an affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe
4:00 pm | August 15, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler two-minute review

The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Hair Multi-styler is a Dyson Airwrap dupe that’s easy to use and doesn’t weigh heavy on your arm. This will be welcome news to those whose hair features kinks or coils; when your hair is dense, the quicker the blow-dry, the better.

The styler has a sleek look and a thin wand – a popular form factor right now among the best hair dryers – but at a fraction of the price of some of its competitors (the Sharper Image costs $269 vs the Dyson Airwrap’s $499). It has six attachments, including brushes and a detangler for drying, smoothing, and adding body. While barrel brushes aren’t ideal for blowing out coarser hair, the paddle-style brush is perfect for blow-drying and smoothing textured hair. For anyone who’s broken a comb, the detangler is quite sturdy and ready to go on a journey with you. As for the curling attachments, someone with Type 4 hair can volumize fine locks or even give yourself a “bump,” no matter the length - and that’s no easy feat for a more affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe

Using a vortex or “Coanda technology” to wrap and circulate the air through your hair, the Sharper Image Revel dries hair at a pretty quiet 73.8dB. My husband could not hear me using it from downstairs.

All of the attachments are easy to use, and you simply twist the top of the detangler to extend the comb. Note that those with curly hair may still need a separate blow dryer for diffusing, since this styler doesn’t come with one. However, on a low heat setting, you may be able to stretch out your curls somewhat.

In fact, if you’re looking to stretch hair or do a silk press at home with less heat damage, the 6-in-1 styler is a solid choice without the hefty price tag.

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler specs

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: price & availability

  • Price: $269.99
  • Availability: US only

The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 can be purchased at Sharper Image stores, and on sites such as Amazon, Walmart, and QVC at an MSRP $269.99. 

Value-wise, the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 comes in at almost half the price of the Dyson Airwrap – the gold standard for multi-stylers – while still offering great performance across a variety of hair types. Also if you shop around you may well be able to get it even cheaper; at the time of writing it's available for just $198 at Amazon and also at Walmart.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: design

  • Comfortable to hold
  • Three heat and power settings
  • Surprisingly long

Overall, the Sharper Image Revel styler looks like a curling iron in receipt of a makeover to bring it up to date. An all-rubberized cylinder means you can hold it wherever it’s most comfortable for you. It offers three adjustable heat and power settings, as well as a cold shot. Much like the original Dyson Airwrap, the airflow curlers have a left and right-side option; you have to switch the barrel to change the direction of your curls.

The Revel arrives with six attachments: an airflow curler, hair dryer and detangler, volumizing brush, smoothing brush, and styling brush. Overall, even with the largest attachment, the styler weighs only 1.6lbs – which is wonderfully lightweight and less than the blow dryer that I typically use to diffuse and stretch my hair every so often.

Sharper Image Revel Box

(Image credit: Sharper Image)

At 17.9 inches, the Sharper Image Revel is quite long, but this also makes it well suited to longer hair. Adding the attachments is simple: twist in place, and remove by pushing the button on the back. At the top, you’ll find the on/off and cold shot buttons. At the end of the handle you’ll find an easy-to-read heat symbol and fan symbol to control speed and temperature.

The power cord is extremely long, which is pretty convenient for styling but awkward for storing the tool away.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: performance

  • Reasonably fast drying
  • Practice required for best results

I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler on my medium-length, fine Type 4c hair. Before I got started, I divided my hair into four sections and applied a heat protectant. Once I completed styling, I applied a finishing spray. I wasn’t trying to achieve a silk press look, but if I were, I’d need a hair spray that would provide shine and frizziness. Also, it would likely take some practice with the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 to achieve hair that looks like you’ve just stepped out of a blow-dry bar.

I was able to dry my entire head in about 25 minutes, which may seem quite lengthy; but when you consider that it usually takes over an hour to dry and flat-iron my hair, the Sharper Image Revel made good time. Note, though, that my 4c hair is fine, which means it could take someone with more dense, thicker hair longer. Also, my hair did become poofy the second I walked out into the humidity, but on a positive note, the next time I washed and dried my hair, I didn’t notice any heat damage.

The benefit of using a blow dryer and styling system together is that your hair doesn’t have to be 100% dry for you to start to style it. Blow dry it enough to smooth it, then you can allow your hair to dry into a cute spiral or wave. However, I’d advise being gentle with hair to avoid causing damage to your natural curls. I say that as someone who tried to drag the detangler tool through hair without starting with a wide-tooth comb.

Inevitably, I had to take a step back and take my time working my way from the end up to the roots to prepare it for drying. Ultimately I used the detangler attachment as my last step, instead of my first step for detangling, and I will note that it was refreshing that the teeth of the detangler didn’t break like the teeth of many blow dryers and combs I’ve tried in the past.

Attachments for Sharper Image Revel 6-In-1 Hair Dryer & Multi-Styler

(Image credit: Sharper Image)

The success you have with the Sharper Image Revel’s two curling barrels will depend on how straight you’ve managed to get your hair; otherwise, you risk getting them becoming stuck in your hair!

Overall, the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 is a quality product that can save you much time. Styling Type 4 hair of any length can take hours, so any tools that can at least cut down drying time will help. As far as achieving a “straight” look with the Sharper Image Revel, depending on your hair type, one may have to slightly lower their expectations in terms of owning just a single tool that can do it all.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for flexible styling options without a time commitment

With the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1, stretching hair or giving yourself a blowout doesn’t need to take hours.

You’re just looking to stretch your hair

The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 is a great stretching tool, offering a lightweight form factor and effective results.

You want a cost-effective multi-styler

At almost half the price of Dyson’s Airwrap, the Revel 6-in-1 offers great value for money.

Don’t buy it if...

You strictly diffuse hair or only blowout hair yearly

The Revel 6-in-1 doesn’t come with a diffuser, so if you regularly or exclusively diffuse hair, it isn’t for you.

You strictly wear braids 

If you only ever have braids or other protective styles, you won’t get much use out of this. Similarly, don’t buy if you strictly get silk presses or blowouts at the salon.

How I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler

  • I used the Revel for several months on medium-length, fine Type 4c hair
  • I started on freshly washed, detangled hair and removed excess water
  • I separated hair into sections and used a heat protectant spray

I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 on my medium-length, fine Type 4c hair for several months, stretching and blow drying hair as I normally would

Having washed and detangled hair, I used a cotton t-shirt to remove excess moisture before sectioning hair and spraying it with heat protectant spray before drying and styling. I used my old faithful blow dryer as a reference point for comparing drying speed and performance.

I’ve been writing about health, wellness and beauty for years, and during that time I’ve tried a variety of products that help to inform my assessment of the performance, design and value of different devices.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler flat iron review
2:00 pm | July 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: two-minute review

There are a number of ways in which the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler stands out from the crowd, and the majority are positive. Firstly, there's its unique blue ombre design with a matte finish which is a welcome change; not only from the typically basic black and white models seen elsewhere, but even among the small but growing number of single-color stylers. 

It measures 11 x 1.5 x 1.7in (28 x 3.8 x 4.3 cm), and it's lightweight at 10oz (285g). It has two buttons near the base: one for power and temperature control (280 - 430F / 138 - 221C), and another for the built-in cooling fan, which reduces heat damage and sets the style. This temperature range has been designed to suit various hair types, but I found the default 350F (180C) setting to be more than sufficient, so I rarely took full advantage of this range. 

Controls and temperature gauge on the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler

(Image credit: Future)

Instead of a traditional hinge, the AirGlide uses buttons to control the 1.5in (3.8 cm) tourmaline plates, which are clamped shut by default. This design is another standout feature and helps manage the amount of hair styled at once, not to mention the fact that the plates deliver smooth, sleek results with reduced frizz. Plus by holding your hair in place, coupled with the AirGlide's rounded edges, this design gives you much more freedom and precision, especially when creating curls and waves.

Finally, the use of cooling vents is a nice touch because they help to set your style, so this sleek finish lasts much longer than with other stylers I've used. However, these pros are accompanied by a couple of cons. The styler doesn't have an automatic shut-off feature, which I've become accustomed to during my years testing the best hair straighteners. I missed the peace of mind this gives. 

The narrow plates and cooling vent feature can significantly increase styling time. For instance, it takes about 15 minutes and 35 seconds on average to straighten long, thin hair, compared to just over three minutes with other stylers like the GHD Chronos. Curling takes even longer, around 20 minutes. If you then add the fact you need to hold the hair in place for 5-10 seconds to set the style with the cooling vents, you're looking at long styling times.  

The Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler has a lot going for it. It's not the cheapest styler on the market, but it's also far from the most expensive and offers great, long-lasting performance which goes a long way. My only concern is that it will be a hard sell for many now there is a newer, redesigned model called the Calista AirGlide Pro Cool that only costs $10 more. 

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: price & availability

  • List price: $99 / £78 / AU$150
  • Available in US, UK, Australia
  • International shipping comes with fees

The Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler costs $99 / £79 / AU$150 and is available in one color – Brilliant Blue. It was previously sold in other colorways including Peach Mai Tai, Bluewater Green, Berry Spritzer and Cool Blue Pink but these are no longer available on the official Calista site, and you can only seemingly buy them from eBay and similar second-hand retailers.

The styler is not to be confused with the Calista AirGlide Pro Cool Breeze Styler, a newer, redesigned model released in June 2024 that costs $109 / £88 / AU$166, comes with more vents and plates that open wider, and is available in Rose Quartz, Blue Topaz, White Pearl and Lavender Topaz. 

The price of both the original, and newer AirGlide Cool Breeze stylers puts them in the lower-to-mid-range flat iron category, alongside the CHI Original Digital flat iron and just below the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin straightener.

There isn't a huge selection of flat irons at this price point and the closest, like-for-like stylers I found range from the $69.99 VAVOOV Pro Airflow Styler to Conair's $79.99 Cool Air Styler Luxe, all the way up to the Cortex Beauty $249.99 AirGlider. All of these Calista rivals double up as curling tongs; a feature the AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler is missing, despite the fact it costs more than the majority of these alternatives. 

You can buy the styler from Calista, or Amazon in the US. It is possible to buy it in the UK and Australia, but Calista ships it from the US and this comes with additional costs. At the time of writing, shipping to the UK adds £30 to the price. To ship it to Australia, you'll pay an extra $70 on top of the styler's price. Any relevant customs charges are then applied separately.

In my opinion, the Calista AirGlide and AirGlide Pro sit a little higher on the price range than they should, especially considering the lack of the explicit curling tong functions seen on rivals. That said, you can still use the AirGlide for curling, as you can all straightening irons. It also looks more stylish than some of its cheaper alternatives. 

All things considered, it's decent value for money, but not great, especially given that you can now get a newer, redesigned model for almost the same price.

  • Value score: 3.5 out of 5

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: design

  • Smooth, sleek ombre design
  • 280 to 430F (138 to 221C) heat range
  • Cool air button and vents for setting hair

In a sea of black, white and even one-tone stylers, the Calista AirGlide's ombre design stands out, as does its smooth, matte finish. Colored stylers have a tendency to look cheap or child-like, but Calista has managed to make the AirGlide look and feel premium. It's an incredibly attractive straightening iron that sets off against the white cord brilliantly. It's a shame that only one color seemingly remains because the peach, pink and berry-colored versions all look equally great. 

Controls on the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler

(Image credit: Future)

Near the base of the 11 x 1.5 x 1.7in /  28 x 3.8 x 4.3cm (L x W x D) body are two buttons – one to turn the AirGlide on and off, and the other to control the built-in fan. You press and hold the Power button to switch the styler on. You can then press this button to cycle through the different temperature settings, from 280 - 430F / 138 - 221C. If you don't want, or need, to change these settings, the styler's default temperature is 350F / 180C. 

You can then choose to have the cool air vents running, by pressing the fan button, or leave them off. The purpose of these vents is to run cool air over your style to both reduce heat damage, and set your style in place. I had expected the addition of a fan to add to the weight of this styler, but it's instead incredibly lightweight at 10oz / 285g. The vents aren't designed to dry your hair, like the vents seen on the GHD Duet Style or Dyson Airstrait; they're purely for cooling the hair. Don't be tempted to use the Calista AirGlide on wet hair because you'll destroy the strands. 

Instead of the hinge seen on the majority of flat irons, which causes the straightener's arms to stay in the open position, the AirGlide's 1.5in / 3.8cm plates are controlled by buttons positioned either side of the body. When you're not using the AirGlide, these plates are clamped shut by default. To open them wide enough to place your hair inside, press these buttons together. 

The Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler's plates

(Image credit: Future)

On first impression, I couldn't see how the hair could fit inside such a narrow gap but not only does it fit, this feature helps you control the size of the hair sections you're styling. Calista recommends styling sections that measure 2in / 5cm and 1in / 2.5cm thick but you can't get much more hair than that inside the plates anyway so this is slightly moot. The AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler doesn't have an automatic shut-off feature, which is becoming increasingly standard of hot tools, but the contained design of the plates does at least add a layer of safety. 

The plates themselves are made of tourmaline and are floating, meaning they can respond and move based on the hair's thickness. This prevents them gripping the hair too hard and causing unnecessary damage. 

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: performance

  • Fiddly and lengthy styling
  • Straightens and curls 
  • Style lasts hours

If you're looking for a quick styler or have long thick hair then I'd give the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze a miss. The narrow gap between the plates is great for controlling how much of your hair you style each time, which – if you have time and patience – adds a welcome level of precision. However, if you're short on time or have a lot of hair to style, this design adds a significant amount of time to the styling process. To put this into perspective, it takes an average of 3 minutes and 15 seconds to straighten my long, thin hair with the GHD Chronos. It took me almost five times longer – 15 minutes and 35 seconds on average – with the Calista. This is even with only needing to pass the straighteners over your hair once to achieve the desired finish. 

Curling my hair took longer, unsurprisingly, at 20 minutes, but the actual process of creating the curl was straightforward. This was, in large part, because the design of the AirGlide's plates means you don't have to grip the styler tightly to keep them clamped on the hair. Once you let go of the buttons, the plates come back together. This gives you more freedom to move the styler around your hair – a particular benefit for curling or adding waves – because you don't have to grip and twist. This frees up your other hand for greater control. It also prevents you accidentally clamping the hair too tight and causing unnecessary damage.

Despite these long styling times, though, whether I was using the AirGlide to straighten, curl or create waves, the results always looked great. My hair was smooth and sleek, and thanks to the cool air vents setting the style, frizz was vastly reduced and the style held its shape for hours. Even when I left the house. I'm not sure it's quite worth the extra styling time but it softens the blow considerably. 

Air vents on the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler

(Image credit: Future)

I also appreciated the fact that the styler ranges from 280 to 430F (138 to 221C), but my hair is too thin for the highest temperature setting and I didn't want to unnecessarily fry my hair. At the same time, the lower temperatures weren't hot enough to create the desired styles. The default 350F / 180C setting was more than enough for my fine hair, so if you're like me, you may end up paying more for a specification you don't need. However, if you have damaged, thick or natural hair, or if it's naturally straight, you'll likely get more use out of this temperature range than I did.  

I had worried that the air vents on the Calista would blow the hair in all directions and cause flyaways, but the airflow is gentle enough to simply cool and set, living up to the use of the word 'breeze' in the styler's name. If you want to get the most out of this feature, the brand recommends you hold the hair in place for between five to 10 seconds to set the hair properly. This can add to the already long styling times, not to mention expose the hair to potentially more damage, plus in my experience it's not entirely necessary, but it's worth noting. 

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler

  • Used as my main styler for four weeks
  • Experimented with different heat settings
  • Created curly and straight styles

To test the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler, I used it as my main styler over the course of four weeks. Initially, I straightened my long, thin hair to test its basic functionality and performance. I timed each session to compare it with other stylers, like the GHD Chronos. I also used it to create waves and curls. 

Throughout those four weeks, I experimented with a range of temperature settings, to see how the styler performed and how long the style lasted. I made a note of how well the cooling vents reduced frizz and set different styles. Throughout the testing period, I tracked the styler's ease of use and overall performance in achieving smooth, sleek results, and monitored how my hair felt and looked at the start and the end. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: tech-packed and time-saving
9:00 am | July 11, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Dyson Supersonic Nural: two-minute review

The Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is the most hi-tech hair dryer I've ever used. The headline feature here is the 'Scalp Protect mode', which senses how far away your head is, then heats up or cools down to maintain what feels like a constant temperature on your scalp. All that means less heat damage; even if you put it right up to your head, it won't burn.

The Nural can also sense when you put it down, and drop into low-power mode in response, and when not using Scalp Protect mode, it also remembers your airspeed and temperature preference for each specific attachment. On test, I found these techy features all worked as they were meant to. While I guess they're not strictly essential to the hair drying experience, they're not just a gimmick either – each helps streamline and speed up the styling process. 

Alongside these new innovations, the Nural also has all the things that made the original Supersonic – widely considered the best hair dryer on the market (read about it in our Dyson Supersonic review) – so popular. Namely, very fast and efficient airflow, a design that's comfortable and easy to wield, and a range of well-designed, magnetic attachments that clip easily on and off. These attachments cater to a range of different hair types (short, long, straight, coily and curly) and include a unique Flyaway tool, which tames stray hairs with alarming effectiveness. 

While the attachments are broadly the same as with the original Supersonic, I would like to give a special shout-out to the redesigned diffuser, which can now be used without the prongs in so-called Dome mode, designed to define your curls. I have natural slight curls, and it's the only diffuser I've ever been able to use that hasn't transformed my hair into a frizz-ball of epic proportions. 

Of course, it's far from cheap. In fact, so far that 'cheap' isn't even a dot in the distance. The Nural's list price of $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750 puts it firmly beyond the reach of many, and will perhaps make you question the necessity of owning a hair dryer that glows like a UFO and knows how close it is to your head at any time. But if you want the best of the best and have the budget for it, I have basically no complaints about how well the Nural works. 

That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic Nural review. Alternatively, for more on this brand's haircare range, head to our Dyson AirWrap review,  Dyson Airstrait review or Dyson Coralle review.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: price & availability

  • List price: $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750 
  • Available: globally
  • Launch date: spring 2024

The Supersonic Nural was announced in March 2024, and became available across the US, UK and Australia shortly after. 

Regardless of territory, it's expensive. At TechRadar, we consider any hair dryer over $200/£200 to be a premium product, and at list price, the Nural is twice that. In the US it's $499.99, in the UK it's £399.99, and in Australia it's AU$750.

It's the priciest hair dryer I've tested, but then it's also the most high-tech – by some margin. You're not paying just for the Dyson name, you're paying for the innovation and the engineering. (Okay, and a little bit for the Dyson name.) While I'm not especially mad at how expensive the Nural is, I do think it would be useful to be able to pick a cheaper option with fewer attachments. With their individual sensors and magnetic design, these are presumably driving up the price, and most people will only need two or three. 

For comparison, at time of writing the original Dyson Supersonic is $429.99 / £279.99 / AU$649. So the price jump between the two models is biggest if you're in the UK.

The most expensive GHD model is the GHD Helios, which is significantly cheaper, with a list price of $279.00 / £159 / AU$280. But it's nowhere near as intelligent as the Nural; you're definitely not getting like-for-like.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Nural specs

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: design

  • Scalp Protect mode adjusts temperature based on distance from head
  • Wide range of magnetic attachments for different hair types
  • Light and easy to wield, although handle could be a bit longer

At time of launch, there are two different colorway options: Vinca Blue/Topaz (which I would call purple and orange) and Ceramic Patina/Topaz (turquoise and orange – the version I tested for this review). Otherwise it looks very similar to the original Supersonic – a streamlined version of a hair dryer, with a relatively small and lightweight barrel at the top, with most of the weight in the handle.

While Dyson seems to be getting into the habit of adding tiny, largely unnecessary screens to its new releases (looking at you, Airstrait), the Nural has escaped the curse. Instead, it's operated via buttons – a sliding on-off switch and cool shot button on the handle, and temperature, airspeed and Scalp Protect mode buttons on the barrel. All are small and unobtrusive.

Close up of temperature and air speed controls on Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

Air speed button and indicator lights run around the left side of the barrel, and temperature switch and lights on the right  (Image credit: Future)

At the bottom of the handle is a filter cage. To clean, Dyson recommends snapping the cage off (it's magnetic), soaking it for 30 minutes in soapy water, rinsing and drying. The filter can be wiped with a dry cloth to get rid of anything that may have built up there.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

At time of writing, the Vinca Blue colorway comes with a cushioned 'presentation case', but there isn't one with the turquoise – sorry, Ceramic Patina – option that I tested. I felt both slightly short-changed, and a bit sad, that I couldn't put my Nural to bed like a little prince, but it's not a major issue.

Settings

You have three temperature settings (high, medium, low), plus a cool shot. There are also three airflow speeds – high (for when you're in a rush, or if you're a generally impatient person), medium (for regular use, if you're not an impatient person) and low (for diffusing).

Air speed and temperature are adjusted by pressing little buttons on the main barrel of the hair dryer, with three tiny LEDs to indicate which setting you're using. The Nural also has sensors that recognize which attachment is connected. When you snap on each one, it'll automatically swap to your last-used temperature and speed settings, to save you having to manually adjust as you go through your routine.

Close up of scalp protect button Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

Scalp protect mode adjusts temperature depending on how close the dryer is to your head (Image credit: Future)

As well as the manual settings, there's the all-new Scalp Protect mode, activated via a button on the barrel with a hair follicle on it. When activated, the Nural uses a Time of Flight sensor to measure how close to your head the hair dryer is, and adjust so it maintains a consistent temperature. So when you have the Nural right up to your scalp, it'll lower the temperature, and if it's further away, it'll increase it. The idea is to minimize heat damage to the hair, was well as helping you avoid burning your scalp if you want to have the dryer right next to your head for precision styling.

To hammer home how space-age this feature is, the whole inside of the main barrel will illuminate to indicate the temperature – bright red for the hottest setting, down to blue for the cool shot. Is it strictly necessary? No. Is it cool? Yes. Is it hard to photograph effectively? Absolutely.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

If you put down the Nural while it's still switched on, it detects this and lowers temperature and air speed (Image credit: Future)

Finally, there's a Pause Detect function, which uses a motion sensor to identify when you've put the dryer down, and automatically cut the heat and minimize the airflow in response. There's intentionally a slight delay so the Nural doesn't cut out every time you pause slightly mid-style. This function is automatically on, unless you have a diffuser attachment connected.

Attachments

All versions of the Dyson Supersonic Nural come with the full selection of styling attachments. These are magnetic, and snap on and off the barrel of the dryer. They're broadly the same (save for some slight design tweaks) as those included with the original Supersonic, with the exception of the Diffuser, which has been redesigned more thoroughly.

Wave+Curl diffuser

This is the large diffuser, for waves and curls. It has been redesigned for the Nural, and can now be used in two ways. The central part, with the prongs, can be removed (it's magnetic) to leave a bowl-shaped attachment that Dyson calls 'Dome mode'. 

'Diffuse mode' (with prongs), is designed to add volume at the root, whereas Dome mode is designed to help define your curls. Dyson recommends you use the diffuser attachments with medium heat and medium airflow. It's the only attachment not to be compatible with Pause Detect. 

Gentle air attachment

This has crimped edges, and is designed to very slightly diffuse the airflow, for gentler drying compared to using it without. This one is a little confusing – a Dyson community page states it's 'engineered to be kinder to fine hair and sensitive scalps' but creating a 'gentle, cooler airflow', but then suggests it's used with high heat and high air flow. It is compatible with scalp protect mode.

All the styling attachments that come with the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

Clockwise from left: flyaway attachment, Styling concentrator, Wave+Curl diffuser (Dome mode), diffuser insert, Wide-tooth comb, gentle air attachment (Image credit: Future)

Styling concentrator

Like your standard concentrator, this channels the air into a wide, thin blade, for smooth styles. It's designed for use with high heat and medium airflow, but can also be used with Scalp Protect mode.

Wide-tooth comb

A broader concentrator, with a comb extension, this attachment detangles your hair as it dries it. Dyson says it's for shaping and lengthening curly or coily hair, and it's designed to be used with high heat and high airflow. 

Flyaway attachment

This is for use on dry, straight hair. It uses 'Coanda airflow' – the same hair-bending phenomenon that powers the Airwrap – to flatten down flyaways. It's designed to be used with low heat and high airflow.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: performance

  • Fast and effective drying; well-designed attachments
  • Scalp Protect mode works well and doesn't impact drying time too much
  • Auto-pause is useful

If Dyson really knows how to do one thing well, it's move air about. That's a more impressive specialism than it sounds – it's what earned Dyson reputation as the brand behind the best vacuum cleaners and the best fans around. And I wasn't surprised to find that the hair drying part of the Supersonic Nural is extremely effective. For rough drying, it gets the job done, and fast.

Because of the more compact shape and the fact that most of the weight is in the handle, it's more comfortable to hold, and easier to wield, than a traditional dryer. My only real complaint with the design is that the handle is a touch short for me – I'm either in danger of accidentally activating the cool shot button or getting my own 'cool shot' to the hand courtesy of the fan grille at the base of the handle.

Concentrator nozzle being snapped on to Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

The Nural detects which attachment is added and adjusts its settings to those last used with that attachment (Image credit: Future)

As someone who has a habit of defaulting to the maximum settings on any haircare gadgets, I wasn't sure if Scalp Protect mode would be one of those features I'd end up neglecting, having prioritized extra sleep time over my long-term hair health. However, that hasn't been the case so far. 

I found that there was no appreciable difference in how long it took to rough-dry my hair in this mode compared to my usual blast-it-with-heat approach. This might be partly to do with the fact that the airspeed is so effective that it means you're not relying so much on cranking up the heat to get your hair dry. Scalp Protect mode has become my go-to for whenever I just want to quickly dry my hair. 

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

When comes to styling, the magnetic attachments snap on and off with just the right amount of effort – not so much it's a struggle, or requires the gripping of anywhere other than the dedicated stay-cool sections of the attachment, and not so little that there's a danger the tool will fall off mid-style.

The Attachment Learning tech worked as intended – in use, the Nural reliably remembered my last-used temperature and airspeed preferences. This feature will be useful for anyone who regularly uses a few different attachments for styling. Like many of Dyson's tech innovations here, it's not essential, but it does remove one of the annoying, fiddly parts of hair styling and streamline the process that little bit more. It's not just a gimmick. Exactly the same goes for the Pause Detect when the dryer is put down.

I also appreciate Dyson branching out past your standard diffuser-and-concentrator package to offer attachments for different hair types, although it has taken a bit of experimenting to figure out exactly how some of them work and what they're for (this Dyson community page has come in handy). The Flyaway attachment is a standout, using the same hair-bending Coanda airflow effect that the Airwrap is based on to flatten out flyaways and leave a smooth finish with absolutely minimal effort.

As someone with naturally slightly curly hair, I was also impressed with the redesigned Diffuser. Regular diffusers leave my hair super-frizzy, but the 'Dome mode', created by removing the central prongs, gave me smoother, more defined curls. (You can see how it works in the video above.)

Overall, minor niggle about the length of the handle aside, I really have no complaints about the Supersonic Nural's performance. It's by far the best hair dryer I've used. 

  • Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic Nural?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Dyson Nural Supersonic

  • I used it as my primary hair dryer for a month
  • I tested all the attachments and features

For this Dyson Supersonic Nural review, I used it as my primary hair dryer for a full month. I tried out all the various attachments and settings, using it to create a range of different styles and finishes. I compared it to other dryers I've used, including the original Supersonic, in terms of how long it takes to dry and style, and how easy it is to use. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer review
10:00 am | June 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer two-minute review

The Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer D6077 is great value for what you get in the set. The hair dryer comes with four tools to suit a range of hair types – be it short and curly or long and straight. It has a wide head and one slim but wide concentrator nozzle to fit. I found that the hair dryer’s wide opening helped ensure fast-drying results, and when used at the highest speed and temperature, it left my hair feeling smooth and not over-dried like some hair dryers can make hair feel.

There’s a unique flyaway attachment in the set too. This can be used on dry and straightened hair to tame flyaways and help create a sleeker finish on straight hair. For curly hair, there are two diffuser attachments to choose from, which neatly click on the head of the hair dryer. You can choose the gentle drying diffuser to dry waves and curls without disturbing the shape and texture of hair. Alternatively, the more traditional style curl defining diffuser is great for drying natural curls and waves.

Box for the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Future)

I found this hair dryer comfortable to use, although it took me a while to get used to the shape of the angled handle. There are two speeds to choose from and three heat settings, although the difference in temperature is subtle between the three temperatures. There’s also a cool shot that provides a constant cool stream of air that’s great for setting styles. 

The hair dryer feels well-made and durable and comes with a hanging hook for convenience. There’s also a storage bag in the kit to house the hair dryer and all its attachments. Overall, I think that while this hair dryer is a little too bulky for use when travelling, it’s a good all-rounder for all hair types from poker straight to curly and coily hair types.

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer review: price & availability

  • RRP: £99.99
  • Available: UK/EU

Established in New York in 1937, Remington is a well-respected brand in the haircare industry. The company sells a range of hair dryers, flat irons, curling tongs, rollers and grooming tools for both men and women.

I tested the UK version of the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer D6077, which is reasonably priced at £99.99. At time of writing, this is on sale for £66.66 direct on the Remington website and at Amazon for £64.35. I think this is an excellent price for a very versatile design.

The hair dryer comes in a grey, black and rose gold finish. This hair dryer is part of the ‘One’ collection that also features the Remington One Straight & Curl Styler, the Remington One Head & Body Multi Groomer and the Remington One Total Body Multi Groomer.

A very similar hair dryer is also available in the USA, although the name and colorway are slightly different. In the states, you’ll find the almost identical Remington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer in a black and rose gold finish. At the time of writing, it costs $54.99 at Remington.

  • Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer review: design

  • Wide 9cm concentrator nozzle for fast styling
  • Flyaway attachment plus two diffusers
  • Comes with storage bag and hanging hook

Designed with versatility in mind, the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer is solidly built and comes in a glossy grey and rose gold finish. Its attachments are finished in black, which is a bit of a contrast from the hair dryer's finish, but they do fit on effortlessly. The hair dryer measures H21.9 x W8.7 x D29cm and weighs 930g, which feels solid in hand, but a little heavy after extended use. The design is built to be fast and comes with a 2000-watt motor, which generates air speeds of up to 120km/h. This, says Remington, is 25% faster than its standard hair dryers.

There are three heat settings on board, two speed settings and one cool shot. It also comes fitted with a ‘Thermacare sensor’ for peace of mind that prevents the hair dryer from overheating.

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer with concentrator, diffuser and flyaway tamer attachments

(Image credit: Future)

The hair dryer comes with a range of useful attachments to suit both straight, wavy and curly hair. In the kit there’s a slim concentrator nozzle that measures 3.5" / 9cm long. This is above average compared to a standard hair dryer and makes things faster – the Dyson Supersonic’s largest nozzle measures 2.7" / 7cm wide, for example. There’s also a flyaway tamer attachment that can be used on dry hair to tame wispy flyaways that can sometimes appear after drying or hair straightening. A gentle drying diffuser is also included in the set, as is a curl defining diffuser, which makes the hair dryer a really versatile option.

There’s also a small Remington branded drawstring bag in the box. It is just about big enough to store the hair dryer and its four attachments. Alternatively, you can make use of the hanging loop to store your hair dryer on a hook.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer review: performance

  • Powerful 2000-watt motor
  • 3 speeds, 2 heat settings and one cool shot
  • Accommodates all hair types

While it does have a few flaws, I feel that this hair dryer does well to cater for use on all hair types as it promises. On first use, I was pleased with the fast results of this hair dryer, but it took some time to get used to the design. 

I was pleased with how much cord you get on this design, which at 2.55m, makes it easy to move around at the dressing table. I did find the head of the hair dryer quite heavy in comparison to the handle, however, and it weighed a little on my hand. This is fine for general use, but I can imagine it might start to feel cumbersome after extended use – in a salon perhaps, or if you have a few kids who’ve just had bath and hair wash time.

While the finish of the Remington One is smooth, there isn’t a defined area to grip. That said, the controls are positioned in such a way that makes them easy to reach and ensures they don’t get accidentally knocked while drying hair. The handle of the hair dryer is positioned at a slight angle from the head. It took me a while to get used to holding it as I had previously been using the Dyson Supersonic, which has a handle that is a lot straighter and at a right angle from the main head. 

As I began to use the attachments, I started to appreciate the angled handle, however, as it allowed me to hold the hair dryer in a comfortable position for blow drying the sides of my hair. I also found it very easy to switch between the four attachments. They can simply be clicked on and off the head of the hair dryer. I did need to wait for the hair dryer to cool down before changing them, though,  as the tip of the hair dryer can get very hot in use.

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer with concentrator, diffuser and flyaway tamer attachments

(Image credit: Future)

With its 2000-watt motor, this Remington hair dryer is powerful. This means that it’s not the quietest hair dryer I’ve tried, measuring around 86.1dB in use. By comparison, I measured the 1600-watt Panasonic Nanoe Moisture+ and Mineral hair dryer at 88.3dB.

There are three heat settings on the Remington One hair dryer that can easily be adjusted via controls on the handle. While the highest setting is hot, I didn’t notice that much difference in heat when flicking from one to three. The two speed settings come in useful if you need a blast of power or if you don’t want to use too much force and heat on your hair. The lowest settings also work well for kids. A cool shot that can be clicked on and off and cools down in under five seconds also works well. I found it particularly beneficial when things were getting a bit too hot and I wanted to cool things down on a lower heat. It’s also great for setting styles or giving hair a little  shine at the end of a drying session.

With its four attachments, two speed settings, three heat settings and a cool shot, I think it’s a great piece of kit to get creative with your styling or for simply achieving dry hair, fast. Having used the hair dryer over the course of a month, I was impressed at just how quickly it dried my hair each time I used it, in fact. I used the concentrator nozzle regularly, which at 9cm manages to dry a good chunk of hair quickly in one go. I managed to blow dry my hair in an average of six minutes, which I felt was fast compared to some less powerful hair dryers I’ve tried in the past that take a while to get up to speed.

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer next to Panasonic Panasonic Nanoe Moisture+ and Mineral hair dryer

Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer next to a Panasonic NA0J (Image credit: Future)

The attachments provide a good range of options for all hair types too. While I mainly used the concentrator nozzle, the flyaway tamer came in useful after straightening my hair. It took a while to figure out how to direct the airflow, but I managed to flatten a few flyaways when needed. Meanwhile, the gentle drying diffuser is ideal for curly and coily hair (or any child who hates a hair dryer) as it gently dries from a distance without damaging your hair style. While I didn’t have much need for that attachment, I did use the curl defining diffuser when I wanted to dry my hair wavy. The diffuser isn’t that big but it was large enough to fit a good section of my hair in one go and left my hair feeling soft in the process.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if….

How I tested the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer

I have tested a wide collection of hair dryers in recent years from brands such as Laifen Swift to Dyson. This means that I know what makes for a good design and a top performing hair dryer. A design that is easy to hold with simple controls that give you a lot of flexibility is key. I was keen to see just how well the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer compared to other popular hair dryers. 

To find out, I used the Remington One Dry & Style Hair Dryer for four weeks to see how best it could suit my family of four. I have medium length wavy hair that is prone to frizz, so I wanted to see how well it could blow dry my hair smooth. I also used the diffuser attachment to see how well it could enhance the waves in my hair.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review
12:16 pm | May 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

GHD Flight+ hair dryer: two-minute review

A travel hair dryer needs to tick very specific boxes. It needs to be compact enough to fit in your luggage, without sacrificing too much power. It needs to offer enough controls to make it useful, and ideally you should be able to use it in different countries with minimal fuss.

The GHD Flight+ dryer hits a home run on almost all of these features. Its handle tucks underneath the body of the dryer when it's ready to be packed away, making it a highly compact and portable appliance. Despite being slightly heavier than its predecessor, the GHD Flight, the Flight+ remains lighter than most of the best hair dryers. This means it won't significantly eat into your baggage allowance, and it also makes it a lightweight and enjoyable dryer to use over long periods.

This is fortunate, because the GHD Flight+ is a long way from the fastest, most powerful dryers on the market. Even on the fastest speed it took almost eight minutes to rough dry my long, fine hair, and 11 minutes and 25 seconds, on average, on the slowest setting. Blow drying then took considerably longer: 15 minutes 10 seconds on the faster speed, and 20 minutes on the slower.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

That said, this is what I'd expect from a travel dryer. With 78% of the power of the full-sized GHD Air, the Flight+ performs better than the majority of travel dryers I've tested and my hair felt soft after each use. It had an impressive amount of movement and body and while it lacked any discernible shine and the dryer created more frizz than I'm used to, the Cool Shot function helped to negate these issues. 

All of this, combined with the Flight+'s matte black finish and simple controls, contributes to the dryer's overall appeal. As does its dual voltage capability. This is essential for international travel and you can easily switch between 240V and 120V via a dial on the Flight+'s handle. The mechanism to change the voltage setting requires the use of a coin, which is a bit of a faff, but it's much less hassle than having to pack a step-down converter or adapter.  

GHD Flight+ hair dryer in its case with other hair items

(Image credit: Future)

My only complaints about the GHD Flight+ are minor. I'm not a fan of the dryer's built-in nozzle. With a semi-transparent, almost brown finish it lets down the rest of the Flight+'s aesthetic. I also don't feel like the carry case, which comes with the Flight+ as standard, adds too much. Its rigid lid makes it harder to pack, not easier, and I quickly abandoned it when I took the Flight+ on a weekend trip. The case’s design does allow for storing other items, like a hairbrush and full-sized hair products, and it keeps everything neat, but I'd rather pay less for the Flight+ itself and not have the case. 

Speaking of price, when you compare the Flight+ to the rest of the GHD range, it appears affordable. Yet look outside the brand and the Flight+ is significantly more expensive than the vast majority of travel dryers on the market – as much as five times the price. In my opinion, you do get what you pay for and many of the Flight+'s cheaper rivals lack the folding handle, the power, the dual voltage and the stylish design. Not to mention the carry case. 

Overall, the GHD Flight+ is a great travel hair dryer that makes small compromises in drying power and speed for improved portability and a thoughtful design. It won't replace a full-sized dryer for everyday use but offers a solid alternative for those needing a lightweight, stylish option on the go.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review: price & availability

  • $199 / £109 / AU$160 
  • Available US, UK and Australia 

The GHD Flight+ is the brand’s entry-level travel hair dryer, having recently replaced the original GHD Flight. 

It's sold in the US, UK and Australia and costs $199 / £99 / AU$160. For this price you get the foldable hair dryer and a leather travel case. In the UK, you can alternatively buy the Flight+ as part of a limited edition gift set. This set costs £109 and the standard travel case is replaced by a corduroy case with rose gold  accents. 

In the wider GHD hair dryer range, the mid-level GHD Air costs $209 / £139 / AU$270, while it’s top-of-the-range model, the GHD Helios, costs $279 / £179 / AU$350. This makes the Flight+ look almost cheap in comparison. 

Yet, look elsewhere and it's rare for a travel hair dryer to exceed $40 / £30 / AU$55. Granted none of these cheaper models offer the style, power and considered design of the Flight+ and, in my view, you get what you pay for with the GHD model. If you're after a no-frills travel dryer, though, the Flight+ may exceed your needs. 

The GHD Flight+ is available from GHD, and Amazon worldwide. You can additionally buy it from Target and Walmart in the US; Lookfantastic, and Cult Beauty in the UK;  and Adore Beauty in Australia. 

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review: design

  • Compact, foldable shape 
  • Power converter built-in
  • Simple controls

The GHD Flight+ is one of the most compact hair dryers I've ever tested. Even before it's folded. Not only does it weigh just 1lb / 0.5kg, with the cord and nozzle, but when in use, it measures just 9 x 7 x 3.5" / 22.9 x 17.8 x 8.9cm (H x W x D). It then shrinks when folded to 9 x 5 x 3.5" / 22.9 x 12.7 x 8.9cm.

This is slightly heavier than its 0.9lb / 422g predecessor, the GHD Flight, but is noticeably lighter than the Dyson Supersonic, for example, which weighs 1.7lb / 653g. 

One of the most distinctive features of the GHD Flight+'s design, and the first thing you notice about it, is its folding handle. There's a small hinge where the handle meets the Flight+'s barrel. It locks into place during use, but with a small amount of force you can push the handle so it tucks neatly beneath the dryer's body. 

GHD Flight+ hair dryer with the handle folded

(Image credit: Future)

The hair dryer itself looks similar to the GHD Air, albeit half the weight and 25% smaller. It has a stylish matte black finish that is synonymous with the GHD range, with a shiny black plastic slider where you can select one of the two speed settings, or the Cool Shot function. The Cool Shot button, especially on cheaper dryer models, tends to be a button that you have to press and hold. This can make your hand ache after a while so being able to choose this option as a fixed setting on the Flight+ is a small but welcomed touch. 

Below the speed switch is a dual voltage dial that lets you adjust what voltage the GHD Flight+ operates at. You can choose either 240V, or 120V and this means it will work in countries that produce different voltage levels without the need for special plugs or step-down converters. The only downside is that it's not easy to turn this dial – which is likely deliberate to avoid your turning it by accident mid-style. Instead, you need to use a coin or similar to switch between voltages. 

Controls on the GHD Flight+ hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

At the bottom of the handle is a hanging loop, which is a nice touch and adds to how you can store this dryer, attached to the GHD Flight+'s 6ft / 1.8m cord. This cord shorter than the 9ft / 3m cord found across the rest of the GHD range, but makes the Flight+ easier to pack and store.

On the front of a barrel is a detachable, semi-transparent plastic nozzle, similar in size to the concentrator attachment that comes with the GHD Helios, albeit it with a wider mouth. Its nice to have the attachment included as standard, but it has a slightly brown/grey tint that lets down the Flight+'s overall aesthetic. On the rear of the barrel is a GHD-branded metal grille. 

Whereas some brands simply shrink the size of a standard hair dryer and call it a travel model, it's clear GHD has put a lot of thought into how the Flight+ looks and works. Little touches such as the dual voltage dial, shorter cord, folding handle and carry case will all elevate its appeal. It's just a shame the nozzle lets it down. 

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review: performance

  • Fast drying times 
  • Difficult to determine the best mode
  • Mixed styling results 

To test the GHD Flight+'s power, I used it as my go-to hairdryer at home for three weeks. I also took it on a weekend away with my family. I timed how long it took the Flight+ to dry my hair on the two different speed settings, and noted down how my hair looked and felt after each use.  

The dryer noticeably lacks power compared to a standard size dryer, a point that GHD openly acknowledges (and which I'd expect from a travel dryer.) GHD claims the 1600W dryer offers 78% of the power of the GHD Air, compared to the 70% power of its 1400W predecessor, the original GHD Flight. It produces an airflow temperature of 149°F / 65°C.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer's rear grille

(Image credit: Future)

Even on the fastest speed it took almost eight minutes to rough dry my long, fine hair, while on the slowest speed, this increased to 11 minutes and 25 seconds, on average. My hair felt soft after each use, and had a surprising amount of movement and body, but it looked frizzy and was lacking in shine. 

When blow drying my hair properly, with a barrel brush and by sectioning each piece off, these times rose to 15 minutes 10 seconds, and 20 minutes respectively. This left my hair looking and feeling much smoother, although it still lacked any discernible shine. 

Given the dryer's compact design, these results weren't entirely unexpected and are on par with, if not better than, many other travel dryers I've used. What's more, the smaller form and lighter weight of the GHD Flight+ make it a dream to use while blow drying your hair. It's easy to maneuver around your head and my arms and wrists never ached, despite the longer styling times. 

The Cool Shot function works well. It helped to set my style and reduced some of the frizz the dryer created. The drop in temperature compared to the regular airflow temperature wasn't dramatic but it was definitely cooler and the longer I used it, the cooler it became. 

I didn't leave the country during my GHD Flight+ review, so was unable to test the effectiveness of the dual voltage switch. However, I did take it on a weekend trip so was able to review its portability. 

GHD Flight+ hair dryer next to its case

(Image credit: Future)

The carry case is a nice touch, and I was initially impressed that it came as standard with the Flight+. It comes with a strap, and a handle to make it easy to carry on its own. However, because it has a rigid lid with soft sides it's not great for packing in your luggage. Its rectangle shape takes up more space, not less, and I would have preferred a bag or similar; so much so that I abandoned the case and packed just the dryer to save space. 

On the plus side, there is enough room in the case, alongside the Flight+, to store other items such as a hair brush and styling products if you wanted to keep everything together in your case. Plus the carry case does allow you to store the Flight+ more neatly at home. 

For such a compact and light dryer, the GHD Flight+ performs admirably. Its slower times would only become a problem if you were using the dryer every day but for a styler that you'll use occasionally, it's a small sacrifice for the portability and considered design.  

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the GHD Flight+ hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: May 2024

GHD Duet Style review
12:00 pm | May 12, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

GHD Duet Style: two-minute review

The GHD Duet Style promises to be a game-changer, because it can dry and style at the hair at the same time. In theory, it could make for worthy, somewhat more affordable alternative to the Dyson Airstrait (which launched after the Duet), but on test it falls a little short in places.

Throughout my trial, I tested the Duet Style on a range of hair states: soaking wet; damp, towel-dried hair; and second-day hair. Compared to my regular hairdryer, which takes my hair from wet to dry in around four minutes, the Duet Style took an almost painful 15 minutes – the slowest hair dryer I've ever used. (In comparison, in our Dyson Airstrait review, we found this drier-straightener was a genuine time-saver.)

The issue with the Duet Style is that because you have to section your hair and dry each section individually. Even then, it takes multiple passes over each strand to truly dry it effectively. If it takes this long on my long, thin hair, I dread to think how long it would take on thick or coily hair. It's not going to be troubling our best hair dryer guide any time soon. 

Using the Duet Style on damp hair took an average of nine minutes, while using it bring life back to my second-day hair took less than two. The latter has quickly become my favorite way to use the Duet Style. The hot air reaches 300F / 150C, while the plates heat up to 360F / 180C. Like all GHD stylers, there's only one temperature setting.

Once your hair's dry, pressing the Shine Shot button turns off the hot airflow and turns on the plates. After 20 seconds, you can then run the Duet Style over your hair like you would with standard straighteners to knock out any remaining frizz and add a dose of shine.

The styles created with the Duet Style last noticeably longer than they ever have when I've blowdried my hair in the past. I have naturally curly hair, and typically a hint of humidity sends it into a frizzy frenzy, but the Duet Style improved this. The only downside is that you have to sacrifice the volume, body and bounce you only really get from a traditional blow dry.

GHD Duet Style hair styler in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

I'm also not a huge fan of the Duet Style's size and weight. It measures 16.7 x 12.8in / 42.4 cm x 32.5cm (H x W) and weighs 1.5lb / 675g. This makes the styler cumbersome to maneuver around your head and near-impossible to create flicks or curls, like GHD promises, significantly reducing the Duet Style's versatility.

This extra weight also means you have to hold the end of the tool for stability and to stop your arm from aching, but the styler has a tendency to get hot during use, making it uncomfortable to grip for long periods. On the plus side, the large size does allow you to tackle bigger sections of hair at once. 

Size and weight issues aside, the GHD Duet Style's controls are simple and easy to use and the fact it creates styles that last is a major selling point. If you're looking for a one-stop shop for drying and straightening your hair, and you're a patient person, the Duet Style could be a good option. However, if you value speed, maneuverability, and styling versatility, or you have thick hair, you might be better off sticking with your trusty hairdryer and straightener combo.

GHD Duet Style review: price & availability

  • List price: $399 / £379 / AU $595
  • Available: US, Australia, UK and Europe

The GHD Duet Style is available in black or white as standard, and at time of writing there's also a limited-edition Elemental Blue colorway, which forms part of GHD's recent Color Crush collection.

The standard model costs $399 / £379 / AUD$595, making it the most expensive GHD styler on the market. In the US, the Color Crush version costs the same as the standard model, at $399, yet in the UK and Australia the price for the blue model rises to £389 and AUD$605 respectively. All three regions sell the blue version with a leather storage case. 

You can additionally buy the black GHD Duet Style as part of a styling set in the US. This kit contains the styler, a 'lizard velvet' storage case and the GHD Sleek Talker heat protect spray yet still costs the same, at $399. 

Within the wider GHD range, the Duet Style most closely resembles the $269 / £209 / AUD$370 GHD Max in terms of design, and is closest in price to the $299 / £309 / AUD$500 cordless GHD Unplugged. Yet stands apart from all of its siblings, as well as the vast majority of the market because of its 2-in-1, wet-to-dry features.

The only other like-for-like styler wet-to-dry styler is the Dyson Airstrait. The Airstrait is available in the US and UK for $499.99 / £499.99 and is due to launch in Australia later in 2024. The Airstrait offers the same wet-to-dry features as the Duet Style but doesn't have the flat iron hot plates seen on the GHD model. 

The GHD Duet Style is available in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and across Europe, and is sold directly from the GHD website, but also via plenty of third party retailers. 

Given that the choice of wet-to-dry stylers is limited, and the GHD Duet Style is significantly cheaper than the Airstrait, despite featuring hot plates, it represents decent value for money. You're effectively paying for advanced, cutting-edge tech and innovation and getting a GHD hair dryer and flat iron styler for the price of one. That said, you could still a separate hair dryer and flat iron with change to spare, so it depends on your needs. 

  • Value for money score: 3 out of 5

GHD Duet Style hair dryer review: design

  • Large and heavy paddle-shaped design
  • Easy to use controls
  • Well-placed air vents 

The GHD Duet Style is notably larger and heavier than the average styler, measuring 16.7 x 12.8 in / 42.4 cm x 32.5 cm (H x W) and weighing 1.5lb / 675g. The hot plates each then measure 0.6 in / 1.7cm wide. This makes it a bulky piece of kit and not the easiest of stylers to move around the head. It also makes it a pain to store.

GHD Duet Style hair styler with other GHD stylers to show how the sizes compare

(L-R) GHD Unplugged, GHD Chronos and the GHD Duet Style (Image credit: Future)

The plates sit either side of a central air vent on both the upper and lower arms of the styler. These vents are covered in a grid that disperses the hot air evenly onto your wet hair as you pass it through the dryer. There are then two thin air vents built into the arms of the Duet Style. These are used to dry the hair above and below the styler as it moves through the hair. A small but welcome, and smart, addition. 

Grille between the plates on GHD Duet Style hair styler

(Image credit: Future)

Design-wise, the Duet Style closely resembles the GHD Max, thanks to its wide, paddle-shaped design, albeit with a much thicker handle. This handle is where the motor and filter for the drying element sits and this filter is attached to the Duet Style's 360-degree, 8.8ft / 2.7m cord. Its minimal, easy-to-use controls are then found on the top of the styler's arm.

These controls consist of a power switch surrounded by a white LED ring, above a Shine Shot button. The switch controls the dryer element of the GHD Duet Style and can be used on wet or damp hair. The Shine Shot button controls the hot plates and should only be used on dry hair. Both controls are accompanied by a short beep that signals that the styler is ready for use. I'm a big fan of this auditory feedback and I miss it when I use other stylers without it. 

Control switch on GHD Duet Style hair styler

(Image credit: Future)

The hot airflow on the GHD Duet Style maxes out at 300F / 150C while the plates operate at 180C / 360F. GHD stylers only ever offer one temperature setting. This is the optimum temperature, according to GHD, because it's hot enough to mold the hair into shape, while causing minimal damage.

While the GHD Duet Style has a built-in filter, it doesn't offer a cleaning mode (like the Dyson Airstrait) so you'll need to keep it free from dust and build-up over time. GHD recommends using a soft toothbrush to keep this filter clear. 

It may not be the most stylish, or compact styler, but the GHD Duet Style's design is well considered. It shares the premium look seen across rest of the GHD range and there are small touches and accents that elevate its appearance. 

  • Design score: 3.5 out of 5

GHD Duet Style review: performance

  • Slow drying times
  • Difficult to maneuver and use for long periods
  • Long-lasting styles 

The GHD Duet Style takes a bit of getting used to. Not just because it's unlike any styler I've used before, but because it goes against everything I'd ever been told about using stylers on wet hair. For my Duet Style review, I tested the styler on wet hair, straight from the shower; on damp towel-dried hair; and on second-day hair. 

My favorite way to use the Duet Style is on second-day hair. It brings my style back to life without having to rewash it, and it gives more precision than a traditional hair dryer without having to resort to straightening it or similar.

From wet to dry, the GHD Duet Style took significantly longer than it does with a regular hair dryer – almost 15 minutes compared to the average of four. If you have long, thick or coily hair, this could exceed 30 minutes or more.  Taking my hair from damp to dry then took, on average, nine minutes and produced a similar finish. 

GHD Duet Style hair styler in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

These lengthy times are largely because you have to section the hair, and dry each section in turn. GHD advises that you hold the dryer near your roots for three seconds to dry the hair closest to your head before passing it over the lengths, which adds to this time. It then takes multiple, slow passes over each strand of hair to dry it effectively. I had hoped, after spending this long drying my hair, that I'd be ready to leave the house, but my hair lacked the shine and finish I'd have expected. 

Thankfully, the Duet Style's Shine Shot came to the rescue. Press the button, wait 20 seconds and the Duet Style becomes a flat iron styler. You then run it over your hair to knock out any remaining frizz and add shine.   

The biggest selling point of the Duet Style, however, is that whichever way I use it, my style lasts much longer than when I blow dry it. I have naturally curly hair and usually, as soon as it gets even a hint of humidity, it becomes frizzy and the curls return. This was noticeably improved while using the Duet Style. It isn't the cure for frizz, but it's close. 

This does come at the sacrifice of body and movement though. The root drying vents help add volume at the roots but you don't get the same movement or bounce as you do with a regular blow dry. What's more, there's not much you can do about this. The Duet Style is too large and unwieldy to move around the head easily, or twirl it around the hair in the same way you would with a barrel brush. No matter how hard I tried, I never managed to add flicks or curls or achieve the versatility that GHD promises.

Cable on GHD Duet Style hair styler

(Image credit: Future)

Given the size and weight of the styler, it's also necessary to hold the end of the Duet Style while passing it over your hair to keep it steady and to manage the weight. This can get uncomfortable as the styler gets hot and you have to avoid the hot air coming out of the side vents.

It's not so hot that it burns you, but it's hot enough for you not want to hold it for long periods. There are strips of rubber edging to help with this but they're too narrow to really make a difference, and these rubber strips tend to attract a build-up of leftover heat protector and styling products easily. If there is one plus side to the Duet Style's large size, it means you can dry large sections of hair at any one time. Helping to counteract the long styling times.  

  • Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should I buy the GHD Duet Style?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: April 2024

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review
6:10 pm | April 26, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: , | Comments: Off

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer: two-minute review

The T3 Featherweight StyleMax is a, tech-packed hair dryer from the innovative LA-based haircare brand. It comes with four nozzles included, and offers custom heat and speed automation. It's powered by T3's Digital IonAir technology, which combines an ion generator, smart chip and custom fan to deliver fast drying times and reduce frizz. This is meant to result in efficient and hair-friendly drying, with less heat damage. I tested one out to see how it compares to the rest of today's best hair dryers. Does it live up to the brand's promises? 

Unfortunately, not quite.  It dries hair relatively quickly, depending on the Style Mode and attachment, but these drying times aren't exceptional. The Styling Concentrator attachment delivered the best results on my fine hair, giving me a sleek and bouncy style without compromising too much on drying speed. 

The Diffuser also performed well, enhancing my natural curls with volume and body. However, the Smoothing Comb didn't work as well as I'd expected and hoped, and I often burned my scalp while using it. A problem I experienced much more with the T3 Featherweight StyleMax that I have with any other dryer I've used in the past. Similarly, the attachments have a tendency to become excessively hot during use, making it difficult to change mid-style, or even rotate the best angle. Elsewhere, the Volume Boost made very little difference. More's the pity. And while the Style Modes are useful and versatile, they can be difficult to master and a little confusing.

Despite these issues, the T3 Featherweight StyleMax has several things going for it. The Cool Shot button is great for locking styles in place and you don't have to press and hold it like you do on so many of its rivals. The hair dryer's overall performance also led to softer, healthier-looking hair over time. 

Overall, the T3 Featherweight StyleMax is a mixed bag. It offers a range of advanced features and attachments that make it versatile and appealing for various hair styling needs. Yet, its performance and design quirks put me off from using this as my everyday hair dryer. Instead, I'll likely reserve it for special occasions when I have extra time to complete my style. 

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review: price & availability

  • List price: $199 / £170 for Featherweight StyleMax + 4 attachments
  • Available in the US and UK

Price-wise, the Featherweight StyleMax is at the top end of T3's hair dyer range, sitting alongside the T3 Aireluxe with a list price of $199.99 / £170. That puts it in TechRadar's upper-mid price bracket.

There’s an impressive amount of tech built into the Featherweight and this, coupled with its wide range of features and attachments (it comes with four) goes some way towards justifying its cost. The performance falls a little short of what I’d expect for that amount of money, but you can’t really put a price on healthy hair so if you can afford it, it’s not a bad investment. In TechRadar's T3 AireLuxe review, that model gained 4.5*, and at the same price it's hard not to recommend that as a better place to put your money... although it's true that model doesn't come with so many functions and settings.

The Featherweight is significantly cheaper than high-end models like the Zuvi Halo and Dyson Supersonic, and on par with older premium dryers like GHD Air and the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium range.

You can buy the Featherweight StyleMax in the US and UK directly from the T3 website. It's also available via Amazon and Ulta in the US, and Amazon and Beauty Bay in the UK. 

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review: design

  • Five heat modes + Cool shot
  • Volume Boost button
  • Customizable presets for different hair types

The design of the T3 Featherweight StyleMax is a cross between the traditional, long-barrel hair dryers of old with the shorter, more compact shape of modern stylers, like the Dyson Supersonic and Zuvi Halo. It measures 7.6 x 2.9 x 11.2 in / 193 mm x 740 mm x 284 mm (W x D x H) and weighs 1.04lbs / 471g without any nozzles attached, and not including the chunky, 2.7m / 9ft cord. 

If you're looking for something to travel with, this probably isn't it – it's a bit bulky for slinging into a suitcase. The brand does have a travel-sized option that might be better for frequent flyers – head to TechRadar's T3 Afar review for more on that one.

Included with the Featherweight are four attachments: a Drying Concentrator, for rough drying your hair; a Styling Concentrator that smoothes as it styles; the SoftTouch 3 Diffuser for adding volume and definition to curls and waves; and a Smoothing Comb designed to lift roots, or stretch and detangle curls and coils. 

T3 Featherweight hair dryer with attachments

(Image credit: Future)

The design of the Featherweight StyleMax is a blend of traditional and modern, and looks like an elongated version of the T3 Fit hair dryer – the brand's compact option. There's a choice of three colors – white, graphite, and satin blush. I reviewed the white model, which has rose gold accents around both the grill at the front of the barrel, and the filter on the rear. The dryer is largely made from plastic with metal on the grill, and rubber at the bottom of the handle where it joins the cord. I'm not a fan of the bubble-like curved barrel. It doesn't look bad, but it does feel a bit cartoon-like, which is a bit at odds with the higher asking price. 

Technology-wise, the Featherweight StyleMax uses the brand's Digital T3 IonAir Technology. This comprises an ion generator that 'saturates' a super-wide airstream, powered by a custom-designed fan. A smart chip then keeps the heat consistent. This ionic technology uses negative ions to break the water molecules on your hair into smaller particles that evaporate faster, and this is what helps to dry the hair quickly.

The majority of control buttons are then found on the rear of the handle, below the filter. These controls, in order from top to bottom, are as follows: 

  • Hair input indicator icon
  • Hair Input and Style Mode selection button
  • Heat settings
  • Speed settings 
  • Power button 
  • Volume Booster  

Close up of buttons on T3 Featherweight hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

Starting at the top, the hair input indicator icon consists of three wavy lines of increasing thickness. These each represent a different hair type ranging from fine on the left, to medium in the middle, and coarse on the right. You input your hair type using the Hair Input button and the corresponding wavy line will be illuminated. 

This Hair Input button then doubles up as the Style Mode selection button. Around the button are four icons which correspond to the four Style Modes. Moving clockwise from top left, these icons are: 

  • Rough Dry: for use with the Drying Concentrator.
  • Smooth: for use with either the Styling Concentrator and a paddle brush, or the Smoothing comb. 
  • Volume: for use with the Styling Concentrator and round brush.
  • Diffuse: for use with the diffuser.

The Drying Concentrator delivers a wide airflow to quickly, and roughly, dry your hair. The Styling Concentrator nozzle has a thinner outlet, compared to the Drying Concentrator, and this helps direct airflow onto individual sections. You can use this with a paddle brush to create smooth and sleek styles, or pair it with a round brush to create volume, body and bounce. 

The SoftTouch 3 Diffuser diffuses air to add volume and definition to curls, waves, and layered styles, while the Smoothing Comb directs the airflow through vented teeth to lift roots, smooth strands, and stretch and detangle curls and coils. These attachments all twist and lock easily into place on the grill.

When you select a Style Mode, the Featherweight will automatically select the most appropriate heat and speed settings to suit both the attachment, as well as your hair type and styling needs. At any point you can up the heat or drop the speed etc. manually using the standalone heat and speed buttons. 

T3 Featherweight hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

These heat and speed buttons are each surrounded by indicator lights that correspond with the relevant settings. There are five thin light strips around the heat button, which correspond with the dryer's five heat settings. The speed button is encircled by three light strips which represent the Featherweight's low, medium and high speeds. 

The last button on the rear of the handle is the Volume Boost button. Pressing this boosts the speed and strength of the air flow to help you add volume into the hair and at the roots.  

And finally, the Cool Shot button is found under the grill on the front of the handle. The majority of the best hair dryers I've tested over the years require you to press and hold the Cool Shot button but once you've pressed the one on the T3 Featherweight it stays on until you turn it off. This is a small but hugely welcome addition. 

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review: performance

  • Switching modes can be confusing
  • Mixed styling results 
  • Often burned my scalp or hand 

To test the T3 Featherweight StyleMax, I trialled each mode and attachment in turn multiple times over the course of a month. I timed how long it took the hair dryer to dry my fine, long, naturally curly hair, and how well it created each of the promised styles. I also experimented with manually adjusting the settings to see how differences in temperature and speed impacted the results.

To get started with the dryer you need to input your hair type. Start by pressing the Power button. Then press and hold the Hair Input button and cycle through the three options until the correct hair type line is illuminated. Next, select your preferred Style Mode by pressing the selection button again until the corresponding icon is illuminated. It helps to have the relevant attachment connected before making this selection, but it's not necessary. 

T3 Featherweight hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

Two seconds later the dryer will start. There is always a two-second delay when switching settings, so don't be alarmed if the dryer seemingly turns itself off and doesn't come back on straight away. The lights surrounding the heat and temperature buttons show which settings have been automatically selected. If you don't feel like the heat or speed is adequate you can manually change the settings, but this will disable whichever Style Mode you've chosen. 

It took an average of 4 minutes 58 seconds to dry my hair using the T3 Featherweight StyleMax without any nozzles connected. Despite being a rough dry, my hair was surprisingly soft and relatively frizz-free, compared to how it looks and feels when I rough-dry it with other hair dryers.  

Next up, it took 6 minutes 12 seconds to dry my hair using the Drying Concentrator with the Rough drying mode selected. My hair was soft with a small amount of frizz but I got frustrated with how long it took to reach this result. Especially as there was little difference compared to drying my hair without an attachment. For me, the Drying Concentrator adds very little to the dryer and I regularly found the speed too low for my needs. 

The Styling Concentrator produced the best results, without having to sacrifice too much on drying speed. It took 5 minutes 9 seconds to create a sleek style with my paddle brush, and 5 minutes 45 seconds to finish a bouncy blow dry with a large, round brush.

Concentrator nozzle on T3 Featherweight hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

The diffuser works very well and my curls were soft and full of body and bounce, while the Smoothing Comb helped to add a small amount of volume when blow drying my hair straight, or when separating my curls. My biggest complaint about the Smoothing Comb is that I often burned my scalp while using it. 

In fact, I burned my scalp more while using the T3 Featherweight than I ever have during all of my years writing hair dryer reviews. Just as I regularly had to turn up the speed to achieve the power I wanted, I often had to turn down the heat, or be much more careful about how close the hairdryer got to my head during styling. 

Similarly, the attachments become too hot to touch during styling so you have to wait until they've cooled down to remove them. This makes it difficult to switch attachments mid-style. For example, if I want to create a blow dry with the Styling Concentrator and then add volume at the roots with the Smoothing Comb, I have to wrap a towel around my hand to remove the first nozzle before attaching the second. This isn't a major problem, but it is an inconvenience. 

Speaking of volume, this button doesn't seem to make a huge difference. It increases the speed of the airflow to give your hair and roots extra lift but I noticed very little difference between when it was enabled and when it wasn't. And considering my fine hair needs all the volume it can get, this was disappointing. 

Overall, none of the Style Modes or settings produced a ready-to-go finish. I still had to run straighteners over my hair to remove any of the remaining frizz. However my hair felt much softer than it does normally and by the end of the review period, it looked and felt healthier.

  • Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should I buy the T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: April 2024

Dyson Airstrait review: straighter hair with the power of air
4:30 pm | April 12, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

Dyson's latest haircare innovation is here, and ready to blow you away – literally. For the uninitiated, the Dyson Airstrait uses focused airflow to tame your tresses (much like the Dyson Airwrap), protecting you from potential heat damage incurred by using a combination of traditional hair dryers and straighteners. In that sense alone, it's easily one of the best hair straighteners I've ever used. 

Dyson may historically be best known for making some of the best vacuums, but in recent years its hair- and air care products have started appearing in TechRadar's best hair dryer and the best purifier rankings. Following the viral success of the Airwrap, the Dyson Airstrait is under a fair amount of pressure to live up to the multi-styler's legacy, and especially following the slightly lukewarm reception to the Corrale, Dyson's still-innovative but more conventional straighteners. All those efforts to master air engineering have clearly paid off; the Airstrait is pretty accomplished and a solid all-rounder, but it's got some flaws that make it far less useful for certain hair types and styling. 

Using a precisely angled (by 45 degrees) blade of focused airflow to simultaneously dry and straighten hair, the Airstrait managed to take my thick, wavy and porous hair from wet to straight in just 10 minutes – less than half the time it would take me to dry and straighten my hair, even if I was using the Dyson Supersonic and Corrale. It's worth noting though that it's pretty hard to achieve pin-straight locks; the Airstrait created more natural-looking results, which I personally prefer.

It's not just for wet styling either – the Airstrait also has a dry styling mode and a cool mode to set your style, though I will say the dry styling isn't quite as effective as wet.

As ever, though, the Airstrait falls victim to two of Dyson's cardinal sins: being overpriced and just a little impractical on account of its size and weight. There's no doubt it offers something fairly unique in the market – barring the ghd Duet Hot Styler, that is – but I'd say if you're gearing up to spend nearly $500 / £500, you're potentially better off getting an Airwrap and using its barrel or flyaway attachment to create a similar effect, depending on your hair type. 

It'd be remiss of me to not mention that although the Airstrait is a four-star product for me, that's largely down to my hair type. I can't speak for how it would work for coily or curly hair, for example. 

Dyson Airstrait review: Price & Availability

  • List price: $329 / £289 / AU$465
  • Launched in the US in May 2023, and UK in March 2024 

In case you missed the memo, Dyson's products are known for their high price tags, and the Airstrait is no different. At full price, it's $499.99 / £449.99 and is available directly from Dyson as well as at select third-party retailers such as Amazon.

The Airstrait launched in May 2023 in the US, but it has taken nearly a full year to hit the UK. As of writing, pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed for Australia, but I expect we'll see a release date before the end of 2024.

Now, there's no avoiding the fact this is an incredibly costly pair of tongs. In some territories they outprice Dyson's other hair straighteners, the Corrale ($499.99 / £399.99 / AU$699). 

Dyson Airstrait review: Specs

  • Value: 3.5 out of 5 

Dyson Airstrait review: Design

  • Chic, futuristic design with OLED screen
  • Monstrously large plug and broad plates
  • Fairly heavy for straighteners

 

Design-wise, the Dyson Airstrait is a real mixed bag. It's part retro, part futuristic aesthetically, resulting in a pair of tongs that look straight out of an 80s sci-fi movie in all the best ways – provided, of course, you like 80s sci-fi movies. 

Functionally, you've still got two plates that clamp together, which plug into the wall for power (here via a 6.6ft / 198cm cable). The key difference compared to a traditional straightener is that Dyson has swapped out hot plates for unheated panels, and on the underside there are two vents – that's where the air straightening magic happens. 

A thumb-sized OLED display on the main body shows you the styling mode, airflow and temperature settings. Below this, you'll find the five button controls: hot temperature, airflow speed, cool temperature, wet/dry mode and power. To me, the OLED screen is a bit unnecessary – I'd prefer a small light indicator and a slightly lower price tag, personally. 

There are two colorways currently available: bright nickel and prussian blue. It seems like Dyson is dropping its iconic fuschia colorway altogether, which I think is a shame. Still, I love the glossy finish and copper accents on the bright nickel model I tested.

At 1.18lb / 536g when held, they're pretty darn heavy for straighteners – just a touch lighter than the hefty 1.23lb / 560g Dyson Corrale. This does mean you could end up with some light arm-ache if you were using the Aistrait for a long period of time. Thankfully, the Airstrait makes pretty quick work of most hair types.

Even the PRCD plug for the Airstrait is pretty monstrous. This bulky component might be built with safety in mind, but my goodness it's an eyesore. On the plug are test and reset buttons to offer ground fault protection, which accounts for the seriously powerful engines whirring away inside the Airstrait. Just don't expect to be able to plug them into outlets with furniture backed onto them. 

  • Design: 4/5

Dyson Airstrait Review: Performance

  • Little-to-no hair snagging or sizzling
  • Instantly heats up and delivers speedy results
  • Shiny, silky hair, but not pin-straight

 

On test, I was pretty impressed with the Airstrait's performance. I've got thick, wavy and porous hair, so drying it can often be a bit of a pain, especially if I don't have time to let it air-dry a little first. 

However, with the Airstrait, I saved time on multiple fronts. For one thing, the Airstrait can handle fairly chunky segments of hair at once, all without snagging and pulling. I was pretty dubious of this claim prior to my testing (the Corrale promised much the same but I still find it's fairly easy to snag hairs if I'm not paying attention).

Then there's the drying itself. If you're slow and steady enough, the focused and angled blade of air generated by the Airstrait can dry a segment of my hair in just one pass, though I tend to give it a quick once over with a cool shot to set. 

It's worth noting that because of its bulky design, the Airstrait can't get right up to the root. That's fine for my naturally wavy hair, but might be an issue for those with more defined, tighter curls. 

Its wet mode offers three temperature settings (80C / 175F, 110C / 230F, and 140C / 285F) while dry offers two (120C / 250F or 140C / 285F), and there's also a boost mode.

The 45-degree angled blade of focused airflow is a pretty impressive feat of engineering, in more ways than one. For one thing, it heats the segment you're straightening impressively quickly, and there wasn't once in my multiple weeks of testing that I smelled the dreaded stench of burning hair. 

Plus, thanks to the angle of the airflow, the Airstrait doesn't disrupt the rest of your hair – or your face – while straightening, keeping you cool, calm and collected throughout your beauty routine. However, you can't really curl your hair as you can with standard hot plates, and it can be quite hard to create volume, especially given the issues with reaching the root of your hair. 

In just 10 minutes, my hair was silky, straight, and smooth, with minimal frizz and pretty impressive staying power. It's never quite perfect, but I struggle to achieve pin-straight results even with the best straighteners – plus I think a more natural straight look can be just as desirable. I did try it on dry hair, but I wasn't as impressed – it didn't seem to really do much beyond taming frizz and unmanageable flyaways.

The results lasted most of the day for me, keeping my hair relatively straight all the way through to the evening – but that's pretty standard for my hair type. When I tested on my partner's curlier Asian hair, I struggled to get it fully straight and noticed the results were slightly less shiny. If the styled hair got wet, damp, or encountered humidity, it became loosely curled again. This mirrors many customer experiences with curly, coily and frizzy hair – the Airstrait seems to work well, but doesn't offer the staying power of traditional hot plates.

Dyson has factored some pretty useful features into the design, too – in particular, the intuitive airflow adjustment and auto-timer. The former detects when hair is between the Airstrait's arms and adjusts the volume of airflow accordingly, and the latter cuts out the airflow when the arms have been left open for more than three seconds. 

Both these features can come in pretty handy, not least because the Dyson Airstrait is quite loud in use, registering 72 dB at its loudest while clamped around wet hair, and 63 dB when idle. That's still very impressively quiet for a hair dryer, though, and especially one packing this much power.. 

Overall, the Dyson Airstrait is a top performer for my very specific needs; it straightens wavy and slightly curly hair quickly and effectively, giving glossy and natural-looking results that by and large last the whole day. However, when used on curlier or coily hair, it's harder to achieve the same results you can with conventional straighteners.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Dyson Airstrait?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

How I tested the Dyson Airstait?

  • I used the Dyson Airstrait as my main hair straightener and dryer for three weeks
  • I used it to dry my hair from wet as well as to straighten my dry hair
  • I have thick, wavy and porous hair

I used the Dyson Airstrait every time I dried my hair for three weeks, as well as its dry mode to touch up any unruly curls that set in overnight. I tested all of its modes and temperatures to gauge their effectiveness, as well as attempting different ways of using the Airstrait to style my hair.  

I also tried straightening my partner's thick, curly hair to see how performance varied between hair types. Additionally, I measured the decibel output to gauge how loud the Airstrait was in use. 

As well as testing haircare products for the past three years, I've been hair-obsessed since childhood; I've had long hair, short hair, colored hair and natural hair, all of which I've styled (and sometimes, disastrously, cut) myself with a wide variety of tools. I've used my own professional and personal experience to inform my testing.

First reviewed: April 2024

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