We have been testing Shark FlexStyle for a few weeks now. It really is a multi-tool for different hair types and for many different occasions depending on how you want to style your hair.
Our first impression of Shark FlexStyle
The FlexStyle comes in a stylish box that makes it easy to store the nozzles in. The main unit itself feels hefty but not too heavy and the nozzles that come with it too. What we felt a little doubtful about, was that the main unit feels quite long based on the fact that you also have to put on another nozzle as long as you are not going to use it as a hair dryer. Since it gets quite long, it felt like it would be complicated to style your hair in a simple way. After using it for a while, we have become accustomed to its length. If we wish, it could have been shorter and narrower in circumference, but nothing that lowers the rating significantly. The head unit feels solid and we really like that it can be turned vertically when blow-drying or styling. Some of the nozzles have a tendency to wiggle a little when you attach them to the main unit, but nothing we have felt during use.
A multi-tool for many occasions
In the box there is really everything you could possibly need for different hair types. If you are to be picky, then it would also include flattening. But with these nozzles you will go a long way.
First of all, we have the main unit itself. It is without nozzles smooth and simple and it is much lighter than a traditional hair dryer. Feels very good in the hand when you angle the tool and takes up very little space compared to old traditional hair dryers.
There are two different window brushes that you can use to create volume, shape and smooth hair. The paddle brush is designed to create volume in the scalp while making the hair very light and soft. The rounded brush is good to use for smoothing or shaping the hair.
There is also a nozzle called a styling concentrator. The nozzle is narrow and just as the name reveals, you get a directed air stream that you need if you want to dry your hair on only a certain part or if you want to style your hair with a regular round brush.
In the box there are also two rotating cover bars, one for the right side and one for the left. The automatically rotating curl bars use coanda technology's smooth airflow, which helps the curls should last longer. It is gentler on the hair than the old classic rods and the airflow of the curling rods easily catches the hair loops around the curling iron. There can be a learning curve from using a traditional curling iron to transitioning to these.
You get a large diffuser which is good if you want to dry your hair and preserve your curls. It dries the hair evenly and gently while preserving the natural curls of the hair.
The effects and noise level
It is really impressive power in this machine. FlexStyle can dry a normal thick hair in an incredibly short time and with 3 different levels for the heat. It also has a cool-down button that is used to fix the hair when you style it with, for example, the curling tongs. It takes a few seconds for you to feel it go from hot air to cooler air, but it does its job.
The noise level is perhaps the part that is most negative about the Shark FlexStyle. When used, it sounds quite loud, a slightly high-frequency sound that can be perceived as disturbing. It is not something that affects us too much, but it would be desirable if they could lower the volume as it can be difficult with prolonged use.
Buttons and functions
The buttons fit well when styling your hair. The cold air button is perfectly placed, and is easy to access. If you have to change the temperature or turn it off, it will be more complicated, as the buttons are located further down for heat adjustment and power. It requires the use of both hands, but even that is a habit. The positive thing about the thermal adjustment knob and the power button not being too close to the hand is that it is almost impossible to access them when styling so you do not have to turn on the wrong temperature or power.
