Six weeks ago I went to a small event in London and used the newest addition to Shark’s FlexStyle range, the FlexStyle IonCurl, $350 / £300, ahead of its launch and was impressed. Since then, I’ve been using the 5-in-1 as my daily hair dryer and styler to test whether it delivers the precision styling with less frizz, bouncier curls and no heat damage that Shark promises. Read my honest review below.
What is the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl?
Put simply the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl is the new upgrade to the original Shark FlexStyle Loft Styler and FlexStyle Glam Ceramic Styling System, which sits alongside both in the Shark Styler range. There are two versions, the IonCurl 5-in-1 which costs $350/£300 and the IonCurl 4-in-1 which costs $300/£270. Each version has two variants, depending on your hair type / what styles you want to create. I tested the 5-in1, which consisted of the multi-styler with 2 x 32mm Coanda curlers, FrizzFighter High Shine polish, oval brush, paddle brush, diffuser and storage case.
Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: Technology & Features
Shark promises smoother, shinier hair with less frizz and bouncy defined curls, all without heat damage, when you use the FlexStyle IonCurl. To make this possible (more on that later) they packed the Airstyler full of features, the headliner being Ion Smooth Technology, where 200 million negative ions help neutralize static, fight frizz and smooth annoying flyaways.
Coanda airflow attracts hair to the curler, automatically, and somewhat magically, wraps and sets curls, while the new CoandaBoost technology provides a stronger wrapping power than the previous FlexStyle, for more defined curls and waves.
There is also a Scalp Shield Mode, which was designed to protect hair growth from excessive heat. In this mode, it automatically adjusts the temperature when the hair is drying close to the scalp. New to the FlexStyle IonCurl is the Airset button. Double tap and it will pause the airflow while styling or single tap for a burst of cool air – great for setting curls and a great new feature.
Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: Design
I love that the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl comes in a quality carrying case, which makes it a cinch to keep everything together and organized for when you need it. The design of the main unit is great with a simple switch to move the head so you can use it as a dryer. There is also the on/off switch, temperature knob with three heat settings and airflow knob, again with three settings. The new Airset button completes the controls, all of which are easy to access.
The IonCurl is well made and feels a good size and weight in the hand when using it. I like the pink, purple and blue colors, which although fun, do not cheapen the Airstyler. Even though the attachments are plastic, they seem well made and how they last well and attaching them is also easy.
Use the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl
Starting with using the FlexStyle IonCurl simply as a hair dryer, I can’t praise it enough – it’s a fantastic color in its own right, before you even use the styling attachments. It is comfortable to use and dried my thick hair quickly. My scalp didn’t get hot at all either – the Scalp Shield Mode works as well as the one in the £400 Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer when I tested it.
My hair was left soft with a noticeable lack of frizz when using the FlexStyle IonCurl, so I’m glad the 200 million negative ions are doing their smoothing. I found myself using the polishing attachment a lot too – it proved to be very handy
the smoothing of unpleasant baby hair and flyaways and I often found a quick tidy-up with this meant it was not necessary to re-straighten. I also dried my hair with the big diffuser and got a nice naturally wavy look, which took less time than I expected.
I’ve recently become a fan of hot brushes and the brush attachments on the IonCurl are the best I’ve tested so far for my long, thick hair, without tugging or tugging. Both brushes are nice and big which is perfect for my hair, but maybe not if yours is short. The paddle brush is perfect for getting your hair smooth and under control before using the curling attachments, while the oval brush is the tool for a bouncy blowdry.
Finally, creating waves and curls with the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl is easy and fun! The Coanda airflow draws your hair to the curler, wraps and sets the curls automatically – although if you press the new Airset button for a cool shot, the curls last even longer. My hair was bouncy and frizz-free when using Coanda curlers and I honestly felt that the results I got lasted two days and were equal to those I get from using the five-star Dyson Airwap Co-anda2x, which costs about twice the price – high praise indeed.
Would I buy the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl?
If I was in the market for a good price air styler, I would absolutely buy a Shark FlexStyle IonCurl. Make sure you choose the set that is right for your hair type/style and other than a few straighteners, it should be all you need.
There was really only one thing that I didn’t particularly like about the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl and I’m being picky here… You have to change curling barrels to change the curl direction – not a big deal, but I’d rather just turn a knob like per the powerful, and much more expensive, Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x.
