Dyson’s new hair tool isn’t entirely new – but it’s also not the same. It’s an upgraded version of its bestselling Airwrap, with new features accessible through the MyDyson app.
Why is this noteworthy? Well, since the Airwrap first launched in 2018, it’s become something of a Marmite product – people either love it or leave it. Some users swear by it, flaunting their bouncy, long-lasting styles on social media, while others, like myself, have voiced frustrations about its lack of hold and difficulty of use.
The newest iteration, Airwrap i.d Multi-Styler and Dryer (€549.99 from dyson.ie), is clearly a response to its Marmite status. Dyson appears to have listened to the waves of comments, particularly from users with fine hair (also me), who found that their curls fell flat within an hour or two – sometimes sooner. With the Airwrap i.d’s new tech, they’re aiming to address these issues.
So, how does the new tech work? The concept behind the device is its ability to recognise your personal styling needs and automatically adjust settings via Bluetooth, such as “wrapping” time (securing your hair around the barrel) and cool shot duration, to suit your exact hair type – with the aim of delivering a style that lasts longer.
Two versions are available; the Airwrap i.d. Straight + Wavy and the Airwrap i.d. Curly + Coily, each with different attachments (including some new ones, most notably a conical barrel) designed for specific hair types.
Once the Airwrap is connected to the MyDyson app on your phone, you’ll be prompted to select your hair type, length and density. You’ll also answer questions about how well your hair holds a style, your skill level with styling tools, and your styling goals – whether it’s volume, long-lasting hold or frizz control, among others.
After completing the set-up, a timer should appear on the app screen, based on your selections. I say “should” because my first experience of using it was somewhat chaotic. It took me some time to realise I needed to not only switch on the device but also activate Bluetooth separately, which left me confused as to why the timer wasn’t showing.
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Bluetooth activation is done via the Airwrap power button. After pushing it upwards to turn on the device, you need to push it up again to enable the automatic settings – a step that’s easy to overlook.
Once I figured this out, I saw that my customised timer was set for 24 seconds, divided between wrapping, styling and setting time. The countdown started immediately, with the Airwrap adjusting automatically as I held it. As someone who generally struggles with hair tools, I found the process a bit overwhelming. Watching the “wrap” timer tick down while I fumbled to get my hair properly around the barrel added some pressure, and I was so distracted by the countdown that I completely messed up my technique. The placement of the barrel was all wrong, leading to an unfortunate Goldilocks-style moment – not quite “just right”.
After doing a bit more research online, I discovered that I could actually adjust the timer settings for each step. I ended up significantly extending the wrap time, which gave me more breathing room and made the whole process easier.
Once I got the hang of it, which took longer than I’d like, there was no stopping me – and it became quickly clear that the curls I created lasted significantly longer than before. Following the app’s recommendations made me realise that I hadn’t used the Airwrap for nearly long enough in the past. I’d estimate that I held it on each section for around 10 seconds previously, maybe even less, compared with the app’s suggested 24 seconds.
I also appreciated not having to stop and manually activate the cold shot. Once I successfully wrapped my hair around the barrel, the Airwrap handled the rest and automatically switched to sleep mode when it was done. Saying that, I still frequently forgot to push the power button up a second time to activate Bluetooth, which left me waiting in vain for the Airwrap to adjust to the various steps. Not really an issue thanks to Dyson’s no damage technology.
So, should you rush out and buy the Airwrap I.D. if you already own the original Airwrap? Absolutely not. It’s an expensive device, and they ultimately serve the same function: to dry and style hair without heat damage. The main difference lies in the guided, personalised settings offered by the i.d. – which will not be particularly useful if you’re already skilled with hair tools and have a hair type that holds styles well. Additionally, the set-up and Bluetooth activation process of the i.d. may be somewhat confusing for those who don’t consider themselves technically savvy.
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That being said, if you’re in the market for an Airwrap for the first time or considering one as a gift this Christmas, I would definitely recommend the Airwrap i.d. over the original. It offers a significant upgrade in functionality (and attachments) and essentially automates the styling process, and once you’ve chosen your settings, becomes arguably the most personalised hair tool you’ll ever own – very useful for those who need a little extra help with hair styling (like me).
