Shark 5-in-1 FlexFusion Straightener: can this new wet-to-dry styling tool really do it all?

Price: £369.99

Our rating: 9/10

We like:

• Easy to use
• Takes hair from wet to dry
• Multiple attachments to achieve several styles
• Minimal heat damage

We don’t like:

• More expensive than other Shark models
• Feels clunky
• Take a little getting used to

What is the Shark FlexFusion Straight?

A brand new 5-in-1 tool, the Shark FlexFusion Straight is a wet-to-dry styler that incorporates a hair dryer, a straightener and a curler. It also includes a diffuser attachment and round brush so that it can be used across a range of different hair types and textures.

Its main body works as a very effective, lightweight hair dryer and then you can achieve a range of different styles thanks to various attachments, depending on your own hair type and personal preferences.

On first glance, we would say that the model is similar to GHD’s Duet 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler and not vastly different from the Dyson Airwrap because of the curling and blow-dry add-ons.

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How we test hot brushes

When testing hot brushes and styling tools such as this one, we take into account a range of different factors – from the general design, ease of use and its weight, to how the device styles hair, how much skill is required to use it, how long the result lasts and the overall value for money.

Design: 8/10

This tool follows the same design as other Shark hair devices and in this case, the FlexFusion appears to be an upgraded version of the FlexStyle. It has the same functionalities and I love the hinge that transforms the main part from stick-mode to traditional hair dryer, which makes the drying process much more seamless and easy.

It feels good quality and considering the type of attachments it comes with, I found it to be relatively lightweight, not noticing any arm or wrist ache after prolonged use. However, I did think that it was a little clunky with the straightener attachment added, but the others were fine.

The model also comes with a soft double-sided travel case to hold each of the attachments and the tools, making it easy to store and travel with.

Usability: 8/10

All of the controls are generally easy to use. There is an on/off switch with two options depending on whether you’re using the device on wet or dry hair. Then there’s three heat and three airflow settings, as well as a cool-shot button slightly further up. The settings are all straightforward to use and understand, although I did find the location of the cool-shot button a little bit fiddly at first.

Despite each of the attachments sliding on to the main barrel easily and clicking into place, they’re trickier to get off, though this can be mastered with some practice. The add-ons are relatively easy to use too, but the straightener and curling barrels in particular take a bit of getting used to. The former has hot air blowing out it as well as the ceramic plates, so it’s important to make sure you’re using it the correct way round otherwise your hair will blow everywhere. However, the latter is about ensuring you have just the right amount of hair, then allowing it to automatically wrap around the barrel and remembering to press the cool-shot button at the end so that the curl stays in place.

Convenience: 9/10

 In terms of convenience, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to dry and style my naturally curly hair. I tend to wear it straight and usually have to dry it with a hair dryer before going in with straighteners in a process that takes me around 30-40 minutes. Instead, the FlexFusion meant I was able to rough dry my hair in six to seven minutes and use the straightener attachment to simultaneously finish drying and then straighten, which took around 15-20 minutes.

By the time I’d finished, my hair was straight, soft and smooth, and it did look a little more voluminous than normal, although I think it lacked some of my usual shine. I also found the cord quite short compared to some of my other tools, but I was still able to use it with ease and there was enough length to reach both sides of my head.

Safety: 9/10

As with most hot brush-esque tools on the market nowadays, one of the main selling points of the FlexFusion is that it minimises heat damage by using temperature-controlled technology. In this case, it’s a combination of ceramic plates and hot air, as well as a cool shot button to help ensure hairstyles hold. It also has “scalp shield mode” that works to protect new hair growth from extreme heat by instantly reducing air temperatures to a comfortable level. As somebody who suffers with scalp psoriasis, I was pleased to see this technology.

While the FlexFusion will automatically turn off if it overheats, it’s worth noting though that it doesn’t have an automatic timer to switch off the device if you accidentally leave it on – but the tool is quite loud so it’s unlikely that will ever happen.

Results: 9/10

While I mostly used the Shark FlexFusion to dry and straighten my hair, the results were good – I didn’t have any frizz and being able to go from wet to dry in one fell swoop was efficient. My hair stays straight all day after styling anyway, but I do think I achieved a shinier finish from my usual straighteners, though I’m less likely to suffer heat damage with the Shark FlexFusion.

The other attachments are quite self-explanatory and I was generally pleased with the results achieved, being someone who isn’t great at styling their own hair. It’s worth noting, though, that the curling barrels take getting used to and require some skill but, like anything, this comes with both time and patience.

Technical specifications

Telegraph verdict: 9/10

After using the Shark FlexFusion in place of my usual tools, I think it’s a good choice that offers a solution and style to pretty much every hair type. It’s unlikely that one person would use every single attachment but I really liked having various options and it’s good value for money if you’re somebody who changes their style fairly often. Add in the impressive technology, the powerful hair dryer in its own right and the promise that it won’t cause damage to your hair, then it’s a no-brainer.

In my opinion, it’s definitely worth the money, especially in comparison to similar tools – the Dyson Airwrap or GHD Duet 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler mentioned earlier – but for somebody like me, who only tends to wear their hair down straight, I don’t think it would be worth the investment. Instead, I would stick to using the tools already owned and that you know work for you.

FAQs

How does the Shark FlexFusion Straight work?

The Shark FlexFusion comes with an innovative straightener attachment, which is something I’ve never seen in a product like this before. It easily slots into the main body of the device and can be used on both wet or dry hair to achieve glossy, straight hair – just make sure you have it on the right setting before use.

Does the Shark FlexFusion Straight have adjustable temperature settings?

Yes, similar to other Shark tools, the FlexFusion 5-in-1 Hair Multistyler has three heat settings and three airflow programmes so that it can be customised to your hair type and texture.

Does the Shark FlexFusion Straight have an automatic shut-off feature?

Yes, the Shark FlexFusion will automatically turn off if it overheats.

What are the main features of the Shark FlexFusion Straight?

The main features of the Shark FlexFusion Straight are that it takes hair from wet to dry and is able to achieve a range of styles. It has a straightening attachment, round brush, automatic curlers and a diffuser, making it suitable for all hair types. Because it uses a mixture of hot hair and heated ceramic technology, there is also minimal damage caused to hair and your achieved style should hold well.

What hairstyles can I create with the Shark FlexFusion Straight?

There are so many styles you can create using this tool – from a slick, straight look to a bouncy blow-dry, natural curls and loose waves.