Some beauty products go viral on Instagram and TikTok. Others go really viral. The difference is whether or not a product is plastered all over your FYP before your favorite content creator has even had a chance to review it. That was the case with the Shark Beauty FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System. Soon after it launched, posts about it proliferated across social media. I saw some that claimed it could take wet hair and turn it into dry, perfectly styled hair in a pinch. I saw others that claimed it was the only styling tool you'd ever need. After enough of these flooded my feed, I knew I needed to test it out for myself.
So I did, and—spoiler alert—the people of TikTok were right to recommend it. The Shark FlexStyle is easy to use and non-damaging. Most importantly, it gives me the big, bouncy blowout of my dreams. In other words, it lives up to the hype. Did I mention that it's currently on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Keep scrolling to learn why the Shark FlexStyle is a holiday hairstyling must-have. Plus, see some pretty epic before and after pictures for proof.
Shark Beauty
FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
Product Details: The Shark FlexStyle comes with five styling attachments and features four heat settings, three airflow settings, and a cool-shot button. While normally priced at $300 a pop, it's currently on sale for only $230.
The base of the tool is a fast, powerful, non-damaging hair dryer. It uses low heat that's regulated 1000 times per second to minimize damage, while a formidable airflow whisks water away from the hair in no time at all. When you fasten any one of the five attachments to the top, it becomes an ultra-versatile multi-styler that can smooth, curl, and volumize the hair.
I love that it's only 1 1/2 pounds, so it's portable for travel and my arm doesn't get tired when I'm holding it over my head (not that I have to do that for long). The airflow is so efficient that it cuts my normal drying time in half.
Before Using the Shark FlexStyle
I started with dry hair. Here's what my long, fine, color-treated hair looked like before I used any of the styling attachments. As you can see, my hair was in need of some smoothing, shaping, and—most importantly—volumizing.
After Using the Shark FlexStyle
This is what my hair looked like after using the Attachable Oval Brush to add volume to my roots, and the 1/4-inch Auto-Wrap Curlers to curl the mid-lengths and ends of my hair. I was shocked at how big, bouncy, and shiny my hair looked. Keep in mind that I have naturally fine, flat hair, so this level of volume and body is usually hard-won. Needless to say, I was impressed.
Along with the Attachable Oval Brush and two 1/4-inch Auto-Wrap Curlers, the Shark FlexStyle comes with a Styling Concentrator and a Paddle Brush for smoothing and straightening. The attachments are easy to swap in and out, which makes styling a breeze. Plus, they offer versatility in the styles you can create.
And before you say it, yes, I've tried the Dyson Airwrap, and I love it. I truly think the Shark FlexStyle is comparable, at least for me, because it gave me similar results (aka big, bouncy, expensive-looking hair). There is one difference, though: The Dyson offers two different curling barrel sizes with a switch on each one to redirect the airflow so you don't have to swap them out mid-styling. The Shark offers two of the same-size curling barrels that you do have to switch out to redirect the airflow. This isn't a big deal to me. Honestly, it takes all of three seconds to swap barrels. Still, it's something to consider. Overall, though, I'm a big fan of the Shark FlexStyle. If you've been thinking about snagging one for yourself, I say go for it. If you're anything like me, you won't be disappointed.
Shark Beauty
SpeedStyle Pro Flex Professional Performance High-Velocity Hair Dryer System
Shark also offers a hair dryer with four styling attachments, called the SpeedStyle. I've tried it a few times, and while I love it, I think the FlexStyle makes more sense for me because I like curling my hair so much. Still, I like that it's collapsible and space-saving, comes with four styling attachments to create a variety of looks, and offers the same high-speed efficiency as the FlexStyle. Whichever one you choose comes down to your specific styling routine and hair goals.
5 Hairstyling Products I Used
Redken
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo smells amazing (it has a light and citrusy scent) and cleans my hair without stripping too much moisture away. Thanks to the formula's high concentration of citric acid, it repairs broken bonds in the hair strands, strengthening them from the inside out. I can't recommend it enough.
Redken
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner
Don't forget the matching conditioner. It gives me soft, smooth hair every time.
Sachajuan
Hair Repair Treatment
Despite my best efforts, I sometimes feel like my hair needs more intense moisture than I can get from a standard conditioner. In that case, I'll reach for this hair repair mask. It quenches dryness and prevents split ends like a dream.
Batiste
Original Dry Shampoo - Clean & Classic
After styling my hair, I always finish with a spritz of dry shampoo. It prolongs my style so I don't have to wash my hair every day, and it gives it some much-needed volume. This is my favorite heavy-duty formula to use.
IGK
Disco Disco Clear Gloss Shine Spray
Shiny hair is expensive-looking hair. I've been loving this clear gloss shine spray to add an enviable gleam to my strands. It boosts shine without feeling heavy or greasy.
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