Let’s be real for a second. You’ve seen the videos. Someone holds a magic wand near a damp chunk of hair, it wraps itself around the barrel like a magnetic charm, and suddenly they look like they just stepped out of a high-end salon in Manhattan. It looks effortless. It looks like the $600 price tag is a small fee for never having to struggle with a round brush again. But then you buy the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler, get it home, and your curls fall out before you’ve even finished your morning coffee.
It’s frustrating.
The truth is, the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler isn't a curling iron. If you treat it like one, you’re going to hate it. This tool is a complex piece of engineering that relies on the Coanda effect—an aerodynamic phenomenon where air follows the curve of a surface—to style hair using air, not extreme heat. Because it uses air, the physics of how your hair "sets" are completely different from the scorched-earth policy of a traditional 400-degree ceramic iron.
The Science of Why Your Curls Aren't Staying
James Dyson and his team of 230 engineers didn't just wake up and decide to make a vacuum for your hair. They spent years studying the structure of keratin. When you use the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler, you are essentially manipulating hydrogen bonds. These bonds break when hair is wet and reform as it dries. This is the "Aha!" moment most people miss: you need moisture.
If your hair is bone dry, the Airwrap won't do much. You’re trying to build a brick wall without mortar.
Ideally, your hair should be about 80% dry. It should feel cool to the touch but not drippy. When the airflow pulls the hair onto the barrel, the moisture allows the hair to take the shape of the curve. Then comes the most important button on the device—the cold shot. You have to blast that curl with cold air for at least 5 to 10 seconds. This "freezes" the hydrogen bonds in their new coiled shape. If you skip the cold shot, you're basically letting the hair cool down while gravity pulls it straight. You’re sabotaging yourself.
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Breaking Down the Attachments
The newest iteration of the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler actually fixed the biggest complaint people had about the original 2018 version. Remember having to switch barrels every time you wanted to change the direction of the curl? It was a pain. Now, there’s a toggle switch at the top of the barrel. One barrel, two directions. Simple.
But the barrels aren't the only stars. The Coanda smoothing dryer is a dual-purpose attachment that honestly justifies half the price. It has a "Pre-style" mode to get your hair to that magic 80% dryness, and then you flip a switch to "Smoothing" mode. This uses two jets of air to tuck flyaways under the main body of hair. It’s the same technology found in the Dyson Supersonic’s flyaway attachment, and for anyone with frizz, it's a literal lifesaver.
Then you've got the brushes. The firm smoothing brush is meant for coarse or frizz-prone hair, while the soft smoothing brush is better for fine hair that needs a bit more gentleness. Most people find they gravitate toward one and never touch the other. That’s okay. The point of the multi-styler is customization.
Is the Digital Motor V9 Actually Worth the Hype?
It’s small. About the size of a thumb. But the V9 motor inside the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler spins at up to 110,000 rpm. That’s incredibly fast. This speed is what generates the 3.2kPa of pressure needed to create the Coanda effect.
What’s more important than speed, though, is the temperature control. The device measures the airflow temperature over 40 times per second. It ensures the air never exceeds 150°C (302°F). Contrast that with a standard curling wand that might hit 200°C.
Over time, that 50-degree difference is the gap between healthy, shiny hair and a fried, split-end mess. If you have bleached hair or fine hair that breaks easily, the "low heat" argument is the strongest reason to invest. You can style every day without the guilt of heat damage.
Real Talk: The Learning Curve is Steep
Expect to suck at this for the first week. Seriously.
You’ll grab too much hair. The air will blow it everywhere. You’ll feel like you need three hands. But then, something clicks. You realize you don’t need to manually wrap the hair; you just need to hold the end of a small section near the barrel and let the physics do the work.
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One thing the manuals don't emphasize enough is product. Because the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler uses lower heat, it needs a little "glue" to help the style last. A lightweight mousse on damp hair or a grit-heavy sea salt spray can make the difference between a blowout that lasts three days and one that lasts three hours.
Does it Work on All Hair Types?
This is where the nuance comes in. Dyson specifically released "Long" versions of the barrels for people with hair past their shoulders. If your hair is long and you use the standard barrels, the hair will overlap too much, the air won't reach the inner layers, and the curl will be damp and limp.
For Type 4 hair (coiled/kinky), the Wide-tooth comb attachment is the MVP. It’s designed to lengthen hair as it dries, creating volume and shape without the snagging you get from cheaper blow-dryer attachments. However, if you're looking for a bone-straight "silk press" look, the Airwrap might not get you there alone. It’s more about a voluminous, bouncy finish than a flat-ironed, glass-hair look.
Common Misconceptions and Maintenance
Some people think the Airwrap is a replacement for their hair dryer. It can be, but the Supersonic is still a faster dryer. The Dyson Airwrap multi-styler is a styling tool first.
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Maintenance is another area where people fail. There is a tiny filter at the bottom of the handle. It gets clogged with dust, hairspray, and skin cells. When it clogs, the motor has to work harder, starts to overheat, and eventually, the machine will just pulse and shut off. Dyson includes a little circular brush in the box. Use it. Once a week. It takes thirty seconds and will save you from a $600 paperweight.
Actionable Steps for Longevity and Results
If you want to get the most out of your investment, stop "winging it" and follow a structured approach to your routine.
- Prep correctly: Always start with freshly washed hair. Product buildup from the day before will weigh down the Coanda curls and make them look greasy rather than bouncy.
- The 80% Rule: Use the dryer attachment until your roots are dry but the lengths still feel slightly damp. If you hear a "sizzle," the hair is too wet. If the hair feels "crunchy" before you start, it's too dry.
- Sectioning is non-negotiable: Use clips. Even if you're in a rush. Small, 1-inch sections allow the air to circulate properly. Large sections lead to uneven drying and curls that drop instantly.
- The "Push-Up" Technique: Once the hair is wrapped around the barrel, move the tool slightly toward your head and then away. This "pumping" motion helps the air reach the roots for extra volume.
- Final Set: Do not brush out your curls immediately. Let them sit in "Sausage Curls" for at least 20 minutes while you do your makeup or eat breakfast. Only then should you run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through them.
- Clean the Filter: Set a recurring reminder on your phone for every Sunday. A clean filter ensures the airflow stays at peak velocity, which is the only way the Coanda effect works effectively.
Ultimately, the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler is a tool that rewards technique over brute force. It’s about working with the air rather than fighting against the heat. Once you master the tension and the timing of the cold shot, the results are genuinely professional. It’s not just a luxury item; for the hair-health conscious, it's a fundamental shift in how we think about daily styling.