'Dyson just launched a new 2-in-1 hair tool and I have... thoughts.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Senior Health and Beauty Writer reviews the Dyson Airstrait.

In some good news for your hair but some awfully bad news for your bank account, the tech heads at Dyson have just launched a shiny new hair tool. And everyone knows that when Dyson launches something, it's a very exciting time.

The brand single-handedly revolutionised the hair tool arena with its Supersonic hair dryer back in 2016, with other newer innovations like the cult AirWrap creating major waves (and many, many dupes) in the hair industry. 

So, it's safe to say we have some big expectations whenever the brand introduces us to a new device.

The latest hair tool to join the family? The Dyson Airstrait — a two-in-one hair styler, offering wet to dry straightening with air.

Meaning? There's no hot plates. No heat damage. No sizzling.

Watch: 5 ways to lift your hair game. Post continues below.

We love less damage!

As someone who uses hot tools on the regular, this sounds like a major plus for me. The only drawback? The price. (Surprise!).

The Dyson Airstrait retails at a very hurty $749. So, you're really going to want to make sure it ticks all your boxes before saving up and taking the leap. Because nothing sucks more than splurging on something everyone hypes up before finding out it's actually... not for you. 

But that's why you've got me — because I've tried it. Many, many times.

Here, I put the Dyson Airstrait to the test to see if it lives up to its wild claims.

What is the Dyson Airstrait?

We'll start with the introductions first, shall we? According to the founder, James Dyson, the new Dyson Airstrait was created with the purpose of offering a straightener that's quick and easy to use, but without the damaging hot plates. 

The claim? "No hot plates. No heat damage."

The goal is to basically save you time doing your hair while simultaneously saving you from the subsequent heat damage of using a hair dryer and a straightener. Without getting too science-y, it basically uses hot air to remove water from your hair, with the air pressure straightening it as it dries.

The tool looks like a normal straightener, only a little wider and ~fancier~ (it feels weighty but not too heavy). The first thing I noticed was how sleek and luxe it felt in my hands — I have the grey/copper colouring, but it also comes in a matte blue version.

Here's what mine looks like (left) and what the blue one looks like (right):

Here's what it looks like in both colours.

See? Fancy! 

Now, another thing I did notice was how meaty the power pack is. Like, it's HUGE. So, just make sure you don't have some silly old school sockets in the corner of the wall like I do. 

Aesthetics aside, the tool has a handy colour screen that offers some different settings — whether you want to straighten wet or dry hair as well as your preferred heat setting. Whichever mode you choose, there's also a cool shot option to set your style.

Image: Supplied.

How did you go with it?

If you're anything like me, drying and styling your hair feels like a total drag. My current hair routine goes something like this: Wash hair, roughly dry with a hairdryer, use a straightener to smooth and style hair. Sometimes add a fancy flick. Don't bother with the back.

Why so much mucking around? I never wear my hair natural, because it's too disobedient — so my hair hates me for all the constant heat. And lack of fresh cuts. (What am I, a beauty editor or something?).

For this reason, I'm always on the hunt for products to make it less damaged. Heat protectants. Masks. Glosses. And — of course heat tools that reduce damage and styling time.

For example, I've recently trialled a new Infrared Bounce Brush from Bondi Boost, to try negate drying out my strands and making them so brittle. I've just placed an order for Heatless Curlers and about to try the viral 'sock method' hack. I'm a desperate Dani when it comes to anything that's going to save the health of my mop.

So, when Dyson's latest wet-to-dry straightening tool waltzed into my possession, promising to style without hot plates, I was excited to give it a whirl. Just for background, I've recently learnt that I have fine hair but lots of it. (I've spent 32 years thinking I had thick hair, but Leigh Campbell did my hair recently and changed everything).

I tested the tool over the course of three weeks, using it as my primary styling device. After washing my hair and towel drying, I separated my hair into sections, starting from the roots.

Now, the clamps are a little bulkier than my usual straightener, so it was a little harder to get right into the roots. However, I soon discovered you can literally just use it as a blow dryer but locking the arms shut. Genius!

Moving (slowly!) through the sections, the tool both dried and smoothed each layer of hair. Using the highest setting (I never do things but halves) I went over each section three to four times and was gifted dry, straight, smooth hair.

The cool thing? Every time I set the device down (while I undid another section of hair) it automatically paused. As soon as I picked it up, it turned on again.

We're living in the future, people!

Here's my hair before and after using the tool:

Hair before (left) and after (right) using the new Dyson Airstrait.

All up, it took about 20 minutes to do my whole head of hair. The biggest difference? It felt really healthy. If you've ever used a Dyson hairdryer, I guarantee you'll remember the difference after using it for the first time. Your hair just feels better, yeah? This was the same deal. 

The verdict.

As someone who is always in a rush, I did find it a little annoying having to use the tool slowly on each hair section, but it was still speedier than doubling down on tools and the results were definitely better. 

Of course, the slower you go, (and if you section your hair properly), you get glossier, silkier results. If not, your hair looks straight but not like PIN glass-like straight. You know? Again, it all depends on what kind of styling you're going for. 

As someone who generally wears their hair straight, this was just the ticket for me, but if you're looking for something that's going to give you a bit of movement, this might not be for you. I did try to achieve a little curl action, but the air was a bit too intense and kind of just blew my hair around as I twisted it. 

The biggest difference for me? I noticed my hair felt softer, lighter and less brittle after use. I genuinely felt it was gentler and way less damaging than using both a blow dryer and straightener on my hair, which I do. All the time.

With a device like this, I think it's something that'll pay off in the long-run when it comes to the health of my hair. So, if you're someone who uses hair tools on the regular and in search of something that will style your hair without the harsh damage, this might be up your alley. 

What are your thoughts on the new Dyson Airstrait? Share them with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.

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