When Shark released the FlexStyle multi-styler in 2022, it was the first brand to create a real Dyson Airwrap dupe and innovate on the design, thanks to the twisting base mechanism.
Two years later, while Shark is no longer the only Airwrap dupe-maker out there, it's back to innovating with the release of the Shark FlexFusion. The new iteration of its multi-styler, out on Oct. 1, features a twisting base similar to the FlexStyle, but also uses traditional heat styling, along with air styling, and new attachments designed to allow for styling on wet and dry hair.
Technically, it comes in two different versions: the Shark FlexFusion Air + Ceramic Styling & Drying System, which retails for $349.99 and the Shark FlexFusion Straight, Air + Ceramic Styling & Drying System, which retails for $399.99. And as is typical Shark fashion, you can also pick up a variety of build-your-own sets, which range from $329.99 to $379.99.
As Mashable's resident beauty tech expert, I've spent a lot of time covering the FlexStyle. I've only had the FlexFusion Straight in my hands for a few days, so a full review is still in the pipeline — in the meantime, I'll be breaking down everything you need to know about the Shark FlexFusion.
Shark FlexFusion vs. Shark FlexStyle
As I mentioned above, unlike other multi-stylers on the market, the FlexFusion is designed to be used to style wet hair and dry hair. "This makes it the perfect innovation for both wash day, second-day hair, and beyond," a Shark spokesperson told Mashable in an email.
To do that, the tool uses the air styling that has been the hallmark of multi-stylers so far, but combines it with traditional heat styling you'd expect from a normal flat iron or curling iron. For instance, the Wet-or-Dry Fusion Air Straightener comes with ceramic plates that heat up just like your flat iron. You can use the tool with both air and heat styling simultaneously, just air, or just heat styling for the Fusion Brush and Straightener (hence, being able to work with those second-day and beyond looks).
Shark also claims that both new FlexFusions are smaller, lighter, and more powerful than the FlexStyle. Shark sent me the FlexFusion Straight, and just from a glance, the base is slightly shorter than the FlexStyle's, and by feel, slightly lighter, too.
The curling attachments still go only one direction like they do with the FlexStyle, but they are slightly taller, which will likely make styling easier for folks with longer hair. As they aren't specifically wet-or-dry attachments, they can't be used solely as heat stylers.
The FlexFusion also allows you to go attachment-free to be used as a standard hair dryer, just like the FlexStyle.
While those are the larger differences between the FlexStyle and FlexFusion, the two main versions of the FlexFusion themselves also have some variation.
Shark FlexFusion attachments
As a reminder, the standard FlexFusion bundle retails for $349.99. The standard FlexStyle goes for $299.99 and comes with a set of auto-wrap curlers, a diffuser or paddle brush, an oval brush, and a styling concentrator. In comparison, here's what attachments you'll get with the FlexFusion:
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Wet-or-Dry Fusion Brush: Essentially, this attachment is a round brush with some extra frizz-fighting power, thanks to the heated comb on one side of the brush. For your hair health, you'll want to only use that comb on mostly or completely dried hair, but it helps remove a step of de-frizzing that can sometimes arise with air stylers.
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Styling concentrator: The concentrator looks nearly identical to what comes with the FlexStyle, and has no heat-styling extras.
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1.25-inch Auto-Wrap Curlers: As I mentioned above, these curlers are ever so slightly longer than those of the FlexStyle, but from initial tests seem to perform very similarly. The design has slightly different air gaps — as I do more testing, I'll be paying closer attention to how that affects styling, if at all.
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FrizzFighter Finishing Tool: Again, this attachment is a one-to-one to the FrizzFighter already offered with the FlexStyle. It uses Coanda airflow tech to "grab" the hair and provide even more smoothing — this could come in handy for some quick smoothing after a rough dry.
Shark FlexFusion + Straight attachments
The FlexFusion + Straight retails for $399.99, the most expensive Shark multi-styler to date, and comes with many of the same attachments above, plus one additional one (as the name might suggest):
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Wet-or-Dry Air Straightener
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Wet-or-Dry Fusion Brush
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1.25-inch Auto-Wrap Curlers
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Styling concentrator
The Fusion Straightener is giving Dyson Airstrait, but it's not quite the same tool. The major difference is that Dyson's straightener doesn't use any hot plates to style the hair, instead relying on a combination of tension and hot air. You could try to replicate that by not turning on any heat with your Shark straightener, but it will likely be harder to yield the results you want with just cool air. Not for nothing, the Airstrait is also $500.
If you buy the FlexFusion without the straightener and later decide you want the attachment in your tool kit, it is available for purchase separately for $99.99. It's not nearly as good a deal as if you get it from the jump, but it's cheaper than buying a whole new multi-styler. If you want to personalize beyond the above kits, the build-your-own bundles are a great option that also include a wide tooth comb and diffuser.
On that note, if you already own a FlexStyle and are interested in any of the FlexFusion attachments, unfortunately, you will have to get a whole new multi-styler. Due to the size and functionality differences, the attachments are not interchangeable between the hair tools.
Is the FlexFusion an Airwrap dupe?
The FlexFusion can definitely be used as a dupe, but that's not all it is. It feels like with the FlexFusion, Shark is aiming to create a unique tool that can replace your standard curling and flat iron, as well as give you the air-styling people know and love from multi-stylers. If you're rocking with your hot tools from when you were a teenager, this might be the upgrade you're looking for.
With that said, if you're happy with your hot tool selection, sticking to the FlexStyle will still save you cash and give you an incredibly good Dyson dupe. If you're extra conscious about heat damage when styling your hair, the FlexStyle or Airwrap may be more your speed.
The FlexFusion is available on Shark's website as of Oct.1.
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