The Beauty Explainer: Everything you need to know about Dyson’s new Airstrait

The Dyson Airstrait - what is it?

Essentially it's like a hairdryer and straightener in one so you can use it directly on wet hair to straighten and dry your hair simultaneously.

How does it work?

You grab a section of hair between the two ‘arms;, or two 1.5mm apertures. Airflow is then pushed through them, creating two high-velocity downward blades of air which combine to form one focused jet of air, creating the downward force needed to straighten the hair as it dries.

What about the science?

In fairness to Dyson, it has been pioneering in this space, studying hair for over a decade with this new launch just part of a wider half-a-billion GBP investment in its research and technology development across the beauty category.

Dyson’s engineers have gotten granular about everything from the structure of hair to airflow dynamics, leading to previous innovations such as their now infamous hairdryer, the Airwrap and the Corale.

Like the other hair tech, the Airstrait comes powered by their Hyperdymium™ motor featuring a three-blade impeller that spins up to 106,000rpm, propelling over 11.9 litres of air through the machine per second – making it powerful enough to generate the airflow needed to dry and straighten hair simultaneously, from wet.

Glass bead thermistors also measure the temperature of the airflow 30 times per second to prevent heat damage and protect hair’s natural shine. This data is sent to the microprocessor which regulates the heating element, ensuring airflow doesn’t exceed the temperature required.

So, what’s new?

To change your hairstyle hydrogen bonds within each hair strand must be broken and reset to hold a new shape. This can be done with heat or moisture.

When hair is wet, water naturally weakens these bonds, making them more elastic and can be reset as the hair dries, without using extreme temperatures.

According to Dyson, they’ve found a way to style hair with less damage by using the optimum level of heat and controlled airflow. The angling of the airflow at 45° also helps align the hair strands for a smooth and shiny finish.

Does it work?

The results are pretty convincing, and there have been few beauty innovations since the 12-week blowdry that are as suited to the Irish weather as this one. The real marvel of it is that, unlike almost all other straighteners, your hair keeps its volume so no lank tresses. That, plus the sheer efficiency and simplicity of its setup makes it a great tool indeed.

Anything else?

The straightener has ‘Wet’ and ‘Dry’ styling modes, and a ‘Cool’ mode to set the style, which effectively means you use it to dry your hair straight from either wet or dry, but then finish it with the ‘Cool’ mode.

The ‘Wet’ mode has three heat settings (80°C, 110°C, and 140°C), while the ‘Dry’ mode has 120°C, 140°C, or a top-up ‘boost’ mode. There are two speed settings for the airflow, low flow and high flow, as well as a cold shot and root drying mode.

As it operates straight off the mains, it also has a handy automatic switch-off mechanism in case you lash out the door and forget to switch it off.

Can I buy it now?

The original drop, launched earlier online this month has already sold out, but it is launching in-store this week at Dyson deme stores, Arnotts and Brown Thomas as well as online at dyson.ie, priced. €499.99.