I’ve to be sincere: The primary time I attempted the Shark SmoothStyle ($79, amazon.com), I didn’t get the way it was completely different from the various, many different blow-dryer brushes on the market. I used to be testing the SmoothStyle for our 2024 Wholesome Magnificence Awards, and we solely crown merchandise we predict are complete sport changers—so I went into testing feeling kinda judgy (I needed to be wowed!). However the extra I used it, the extra I noticed how fallacious I used to be for casting it apart so shortly.
Seems, the SmoothStyle would turn out to be the one software I attain for each time I model my hair—and it’d give me the very best blowout I’ve ever had.
The design
Earlier than I clarify why this corded blow-dryer brush is so nice: The SmoothStyle has a four-sided head—the broader sides have hairbrush-like bristles, whereas the thinner sides characteristic heated combs.
Shark notes that you should use the comb in “moist mode” or “dry mode.” Moist mode means turning the dial to one in every of three temperature settings and brushing via your damp hair, whereas scorching air comes via the bristles to dry it and add quantity. In dry mode, you twist the dial to the heated comb setting (which turns off the air) and run the opposite sides of the comb via your hair to easy it.
Value noting: You’re solely supposed to make use of the combs on dry hair. Additionally, Shark doesn’t word how scorching the comb will get—it solely claims that the SmoothStyle gained’t trigger as a lot harm as different dryer brushes or straighteners do.
Actually, I assumed the combs appeared gimmicky, they usually undoubtedly got here with a studying curve. The primary few occasions I used the comb, I dried my hair with the bristles earlier than operating the recent combs via my straightened model. My hair appeared rather less poofy, however the outcomes weren’t something to write down residence (or a evaluate) about.
Then, in the future, after drying my hair, I made a decision to wrap some sections across the brush and run them via the heated combs on the similar time. I gotta say—I felt like an fool. My hair appeared smooth, bouncy, and flippy in all the correct spots. This is what I’d been lacking out on all of the weeks earlier than.
Unique picture by SELF commerce author Jessica Kasparian
Unique picture by SELF commerce author Jessica Kasparian
The outcomes
The SmoothStyle dries my hair simply as quick as different dryer brushes I’ve tried, though it has much less floor space for air to blow via due to the heated combs on all sides. I’ve a number of lengthy, curly, medium-fine hair, so earlier than this software I had to make use of a blow-dryer after which a flatiron if I needed to straighten it. Now, I wish to let my hair air out for some time or use my common dryer till my entire head is damp. Then, I take advantage of the SmoothStyle to zap any final moisture out of my hair whereas styling it on the similar time.
The actual magic is within the combs—they create that silky, bouncy look I’m after each time I blow dry my hair. Plus, they make it tremendous simple to restyle my hair within the morning, after it’s began to look wavy and messy in a not-so-cute approach. Most days, I attain for the SmoothStyle over my regular flatiron simply for the combs—they’re that good.
The competitors
As a former magnificence editor, I’ve examined extra hair instruments than anyone particular person ought to—that features a lot of blow-dryer brushes like this one. I’ve taken the Dyson Airwrap for a spin, but it surely’s just a little too sophisticated (and takes up an excessive amount of area) for me to decide to it. I really feel equally concerning the Shark FlexStyle (an Airwrap dupe)—it’s a terrific software at a extra stomachable worth, however I don’t attain for it as a result of I can’t be bothered with altering out the attachments as I’m styling my hair.