How to Use the Dyson Airwrap — Step-by-Step for Curls, Waves & Smooth Blowouts
The exact technique for curls, waves and smoothing on the Dyson Airwrap — including which attachment goes with which look and how to make styles last all day.
The Dyson Airwrap looks complicated the first time you open the box. The technique is actually simple once you separate three jobs: dry it, wrap it, set it. Here's the full method.
Prep — every style starts here
Should hair be wet or dry to use the Airwrap?
Towel-dried to about 80% dry. Soaking-wet hair takes too long; bone-dry hair won't grip the Coanda barrels. Apply heat protectant, then rough-dry with the pre-styling drying attachment until just barely damp.
Which attachment should I use first?
Always start with the pre-styling drying attachment to take hair from 80% damp to ~95% dry. This step is critical — it activates the cuticle so the styling attachments can shape it.
Curls
How do I make curls with the Dyson Airwrap?
Use the 30 mm or 40 mm Coanda barrel. Hold the barrel vertically next to a 2-cm section of hair, point the airflow toward the section, and let the Coanda effect wrap the hair around the barrel. Hold 10–12 seconds, switch to cold airflow for 5 seconds to set, then release. Don't manually wrap — the air does the work.
Waves
How do I get loose beachy waves?
Use the 40 mm barrel and alternate direction every other section (some toward face, some away). Hold each section for 6–8 seconds instead of 12 — shorter time = looser wave. Finish with the cold-shot button and gently shake out.
Smooth blowout
How do I get a smooth salon-style blowout?
Round volumising brush for the roots and crown — pull each section up and back from the scalp. Then switch to the soft smoothing brush and pull each section straight from root to tip in one continuous motion. Coanda smoother attachment for the very ends to seal the cuticle.
Lasting
How do I make Airwrap styles last all day?
Three rules. (1) Hot-then-cold each section — the cold blast sets the bond. (2) Don't touch curls until completely cool. (3) Light dry hairspray after styling, not during. Curls last 12–18 hours; smooth blowouts hold 24–36 hours on most hair types.
What's the most common mistake?
Hair too wet (over 85%) or too dry (under 70%). Both prevent the Coanda effect from gripping. Spend an extra 60 seconds with the pre-styling dryer if you're not sure.
External sources
- Dyson Ltd. — official site — manufacturer specs and warranty terms.
- Coandă effect — Wikipedia — physics behind air-flow hair styling.
- Hair-protein damage thresholds (NCBI) — published research on heat-induced keratin damage.