Buying guide · Checked 11 October 2026
Is the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer worth buying in 2026?
Dry, curl and smooth with one tool.
The Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 is worth considering if you want a hair dryer and an air styler in one and do not want to pay Dyson Airwrap prices. It twists from a dryer into a styler and comes with auto-wrap curlers, a brush and a smoothing tool. Curls take practice, and they hold less well in very fine or very straight hair.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The 30-second verdict
The FlexStyle is the best-known alternative to the Dyson Airwrap. It dries and styles with air instead of hot plates, and Shark says it measures the heat 1,000 times a second to avoid extreme temperatures. This gift set includes two sizes of curling barrel, an oval brush and a frizz-smoothing tool. It replaces several tools if you are happy to learn the technique.
It was one of the best-selling products in its category on Amazon UK when we checked, on 11 October 2026. We have not tested it ourselves. This guide is based on the manufacturer's specifications and buyer demand. How we choose.
Good fit for
- Blow-dry styles and loose curls at home
- Replacing a dryer, tongs and hot brush with one tool
- People wanting less heat than straighteners or tongs
- A gift
Think twice if
- You want tight, long-lasting curls in fine hair
- You only ever rough-dry your hair
- You want the lightest possible dryer for travel
Key specifications
| Design | Twists between hair dryer and styler |
|---|---|
| Curling | Auto-wrap curlers, 32mm and 24mm |
| Smoothing | FrizzFighter finishing tool |
| Brush | Oval brush |
| Heat control | Measures temperature 1,000 times per second (manufacturer claim) |
From the manufacturer's Amazon UK listing, checked 11 October 2026. Specifications can change, so confirm them on the listing before you buy.
What actually matters
Attachments decide the value
Different FlexStyle sets include different tools. Pick the set that matches your hair: curlers for curls, brushes for smooth blow-dries, a diffuser for natural curls.
Technique matters
Air curling works on damp, not wet, hair and needs a cool shot to set. Give it a few goes.
The drawbacks
- There is a learning curve for the auto-wrap curlers.
- It is louder and bulkier than a basic dryer.
- Curls may drop faster than with tongs in some hair types.
Shark FlexStyle or Dyson Airwrap?
Both style with air and use the same wrapping effect to curl. The Airwrap costs considerably more. The FlexStyle adds the twist that turns it into a conventional dryer.
Buying it on Black Friday 2026
Hair tools are a Black Friday favourite, and FlexStyle sets are regularly part of Amazon's event. Compare the attachments in each set, not just the headline price. Black Friday is on Friday 27 November 2026. We do not list prices here because they change by the hour. See our Black Friday checklist.
Questions people ask
Is the Shark FlexStyle a hair dryer as well?
Yes. Twist the head and it works as a normal hair dryer.
Does it work on short hair?
The curlers need enough length to wrap, roughly chin length or longer. The brush and dryer modes work on shorter hair.
Does it damage hair less than tongs?
It styles with air at lower temperatures than hot plates or tongs, and Shark says it regulates heat to avoid extremes.
Which attachments are included?
This set lists the FrizzFighter tool, two auto-wrap curlers, and an oval brush. Check the listing, as sets vary.
Should you buy the Shark HD456TLUK?
The Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 is worth considering if you want a hair dryer and an air styler in one and do not want to pay Dyson Airwrap prices. It twists from a dryer into a styler and comes with auto-wrap curlers, a brush and a smoothing tool. Curls take practice, and they hold less well in very fine or very straight hair.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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