Product Reviews

AS someone who tried and failed for years to master the art of the at-home blowout, I have the rise of air tools to thank for my transformed hair styling routine.

Every hair tool under the sun promises “salon-worthy results at home,” and I’ve been testing the Shark FlexStyle hair tool for a year to determine if it can truly deliver.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

Known originally for its popular vacuums, Shark branched out into the beauty tech space in 2022 with the launch of the FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System.

The beauty gadget features five different attachments, with an option to build your own bundle based on your hair type.

All of the FlexStyle attachments can also be bought separately on the Shark website for £24.99 each, so you can add to your collection over time.

Shark swooped in at a time when beauty enthusiasts were searching for a more affordable alternative to the £400+ Airwrap.

At £279.99, it’s still an investment, but it’s a fraction of the cost of a Dyson Airwrap i.d.

Is it worth ditching your current tools for an all-in-one gadget? Read below for my full Shark FlexStyle review.

Pros:

• Creates voluminous blow-outs
• Minimal heat damage
• Requires little effort (once you nail the technique)
• Multiple attachments included
• Option to build your own set
• Easy to switch between styler and dryer
• Cheaper than similar alternatives

Cons:

• Noisy
• Bulky for travelling
• Takes a while to master the technique
• Hot brush attachment can feel rough on the hair

Rating: 8/10

How I tested the Shark FlexStyle Air Styler

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

As The Sun’s Fashion and Beauty eCommerce Writer, it’s my job to try out products that are causing a buzz in the industry.

I’m obsessed with all things beauty, so I’ve tested my fair share of hair stylers over the years, including the best Dyson Airwrap dupe and my Dyson Airwrap i.d review, but it takes a lot for one to become a regular in my routine.

The hype around the Shark FlexStyle is still going, and I can confidently share my thoughts after trialling the tool for a year.

The Smoothing Concentrator (hair drying nozzle) and Auto-Wrap Curling Barrels are my go-to FlexStyle attachments, so I’ll be talking mostly about them.

But I’ve also tested the Paddle Brush, Oval Brush and Fizz Fighter heads.

For reference, I have long, wavy hair that can get frizzy after washing, and I have extensions.

Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 air styler review: The Nitty Gritty

First impressions

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Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

Every beauty influencer in existence seems to own the FlexStyle, so I was pretty familiar with its appearance before trying it out.

While sleek in design, the cable and attachments together are on the bulky side (which is to be expected due to its multiple functions), but it’s meant I’ve avoided travelling with it so far.

When purchasing the FlexStyle, shoppers can select the five-in-one bundle, or mix and match their own (choosing four attachments).

I have the model that comes with five attachments: Auto-Wrap Curlers (one for each side of the head), a Paddle Brush, an Oval Brush, a Styling Concentrator, and a Diffuser.

My Fizz Fighter Finishing Tool is a new addition, which I bought separately to try and tame my frizz at my roots.

As I have attachments in my bundle that I don’t use (the diffuser, as it’s designed for curly/ coily hair), I would recommend the Build Your Own Hair Styling and Drying System to get the most for your money.

Does it deliver?

If you’re looking for a way to create bouncy blow-outs yourself, the Shark FlexStyle absolutely delivers, but it does take practice to perfect the process.

My biggest reservation about the FlexStyle before trying it was the drying system.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

A multitasking styler runs the risk of being a jack of all trades but a master of none, but Shark has ensured its hair dryer doesn’t compromise on power.

I swear by my Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for quick results on my long hair, and the FlexStyle pretty much matches its drying time.

Call me easily pleased, but the way the tool rotates between a dryer and a styler is one of my favourite features.

The fact that it twists into a right angle makes it so much easier to use, and — in a common theme with the FlexStyle — it never makes me feel like I’m overworking to get results.

There are three heat and power settings (I tend to use mine on full blast), and following the instructions of online videos, I always use the Cool Shot feature for locking the style in place.

The Paddle Brush (for straight styles) and the Oval Brush (for blow-outs) both have boar and plastic bristles that are great for gripping the hair, but I’d recommend being gentle to avoid snagging the hair.

The newest addition to my routine is the Frizz Fighter Finishing Tool.

Like the barrels, it attracts the hair, gliding from the root to smooth frizz and flyaways, essentially enhancing the effects of the other attachments.

Now, for quite possibly the main selling point — the Auto-Wrap Curling Barrels.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

I have to admit, I was quickly humbled when I realised that the beauty influencers were making the process look far easier than it is.

The airflow technology makes the air wrap around the barrel automatically to create a curl, but I struggled with getting it to pick up the hair for the first few attempts.

And when I did, the curl would drop out within the first few hours.

After plenty of practice (and TikTok tutorials), I managed to master the method, but patience is needed.

I found the key is keeping the sections small as it makes it easier for the hair to wrap, and use a product to hold the curls (I swear by the Colour Wow XL Volumiser).

Unlike when I use curling tongs, the curls aren’t going to last me for days on end, but they do look great that day, and after sleeping on them, I’m left with a subtle wave that I’ll sometimes go over with the barrels.

I also find the whole process to be far more enjoyable than curling my hair with tongs (which could be down to years of the same routine) – and the airflow makes creating curls far more efficient.

The one thing I’d change about the FlexStyle is the noise.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

When my roommate borrows it, I can hear the whirring from the other side of the flat, so it’s not one you could use while watching TV or late at night.

Keeping heat damage to a minimum is important to me as I already put enough strain on my hair with bleach, extensions and frequent styling.

Can I confidently say that the FlexStyle causes zero damage? No.

But can I confidently say that it creates a salon-worthy blow-out while causing far, far less damage than other hair tools? Absolutely.

Results aside, I can tell when I’m using the FlexStyle that it’s transferring way less heat than a tong or straightener (you can read my article on the best hair straighteners here).

There’s no burning smell (and if there is, you may need to clean the filter), and my hair has felt healthier since ditching the tongs for the FlexStyle regularly.

I love how my hair turns out every time I use the Shark FlexStyle, and it’s absolutely worth investing time to master the technique in order to get professional-looking results.

Shark FlexStyle FAQs:

Shark FlexStyle price

The Shark FlexStyle isn’t cheap, but if you’re keen to invest in a does-it-all hair tool, it’s more affordable than its competitors.

Shark’s 5-in-1 Hair Dryer and Air Styler with Storage Case is currently on sale for £229.99, while the Build Your Own bundle is slashed to £199.99.

Refurbished models are also available on eBay, a cheaper alternative to buying the FlexStyle brand new.

Shark released a 2025 edition of the FlexStyle earlier this year, which beauty fans can buy for £279.99.

Where to buy the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 air styler and hair dryer?

The Shark FlexStyle is available to buy online at Boots, Amazon and of course, the Shark website.

Most major beauty retailers are also currently stocking the styler, including Sephora, Lookfantastic and Cult Beauty.

There are several colourways to choose from, including the limited-edition sparkle FlexStyle that comes in stunning champagne and black shades (and would be perfect if you’re buying the styler as a gift).

The full list of places to shop online:

Is the Shark FlexStyle worth it?

Using the Shark FlexStyle takes some practice to get it right, but once you get the technique down, it’s so worth it.

The styler works effectively on long and thick hair, but those with fine hair will need to work harder for long-lasting curls.

At over £250+, it’s not cheap, but if you blow-dry and curl your hair regularly, it’s an investment worth considering.

The best part about the FlexStyle?

It causes far less heat damage than tongs and conventional hair straighteners – not to mention that it’s significantly more enjoyable to use.

How to use Shark FlexStyle?

For best results, start with towel-dried hair and dry with the Smoothing Concentrator until your hair is roughly 80% dry.

You can use the Paddle Brush attachment to straighten your hair and add shine, or the Oval Brush to add bounce and volume.

The Auto-Wrap Curlers use a clever technology that wraps and curls your hair around the barrel automatically.

All you need to do is hold your hair in place for 10-15 seconds, and then use the shot button to lock in your curl before releasing.

Repeat across sections for a full head of soft, bouncy curls.

Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Style alternatives

It’s no secret that the Dyson Airwrap i.d is the FlexStyle’s main competitor (make sure to read our Dyson Airwrap i.d review).

Revlon, Bondi Boost and Silk’n all have similar hair tools, and the Sun Shopping team also tried and tested the Babyliss Air Style 1000 in a Dyson Airwrap dupe review.

Beauty fans who are mostly tempted by the Oval Brush attachment on the FlexStyle should also check out our round-up of the best hot brushes.

WITH temperatures falling and nights drawing in, it’s offically hot chocolate season.

That means it’s time for me to pull my Salter Chocolatier from the back of the cupboard.

Even at full whack, it’s less than a quarter of the price of the famous Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, and Amazon has just discounted it for Prime Day, meaning that it’s now just £28.24, down from £34.99.

Read on for my full Salter Chocolatier review.

Salter Chocolatier Electric Hot Chocolate Maker, £34.99 £28.24 from Amazon

I spend a lot of time outdoors walking my dogs and in winter that’s often a freezing few hours in the mud, snow and rain.

Once home, a hot drink is essential and while I doubt my kitchen could create that country-inn atmosphere, I was intrigued to find out if the machine could create a rival to my pub-bought favourite.

I’m not a fan of instant hot chocolate so tend to swerve it as a drink option.

Thankfully, the Salter Chocolatier is a different matter entirely.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Handy milk frother
• Works with plant milk
• Easy to clean
• Also great for lattes and cappuccinos

Cons:

• Small capacity
• Takes a few minutes
• Sometimes chocolate isn’t fully mixed
• May not be hot enough for some

Rating: 8/10

How I tested the Salter Chocolatier

It’ll come as no surprise that my main focus during testing was how well the Salter Chocolatier makes hot chocolate, and this function is the one I used the most.

However, I also prepared other drinks with it, including cappuccino, latte and iced coffee.

I considered how easy the hot chocolate maker was to use and how easy it was to clean afterwards.

I was also interested in the quality of the instructions.

I don’t like it when manufacturers supply just a brief product leaflet with their products and then expect users to download a full manual from their website.

Who has time for that? And what about those people who don’t use the internet, such as older consumers?

Finally, I considered how the product looked – was it merely a functional item or did it look good sitting on the kitchen worktop?

Salter Chocolatier review: quick summary

This is a great product. It makes amazing hot chocolate from scratch, though it doesn’t always mix the grated chocolate as well as I would like.

The milk frother is also good, but when using the thick hot froth function I found it impossible to get all of the froth from the jug to the cup.

It’s quite stylish in a minimalist kind of way, and it’s easy to clean.

It doesn’t take long to make your drink but the downside is that it only makes one cup at a time.

Salter Chocolatier review: full review

Salter Chocolatier Electric Hot Chocolate Maker, £34.99 £28.24 from Amazon

If you have purchased this then chances are you’re a bit of a hot chocolate connoisseur, or at the very least a big fan.

The machine itself is pretty simple. There’s a jug, lid, frothing ring, heating ring and base.

It’s very much like a mini kettle. with the addition of a function button.

This button has four options:

• Thick hot froth
• Light hot froth
• Hot milk/ hot chocolate
• Cold milk froth

Unboxing and setup

The box contains the jug, lid, frothing ring, heating ring and base so it’s simple enough to set up the machine.

There’s also a quick start guide and if you want a product manual you have to download it from the Salter website (sigh!).

However, if you’re hoping for a bit more detail on using the machine, you’ll be disappointed.

The instruction manual on the website is the same as the leaflet in the box and does not provide any further information.

Still, I guess that shows how simple the Chocolatier is to use.

Design and features

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Salter Chocolatier Electric Hot Chocolate Maker, £34.99 £28.24 from Amazon

There’s an easy-to-see level guide inside the jug for the different drinks and froths.

For example, if you’re after a light or thick froth then you need to add 115ml of milk, but if you’re making a hot chocolate then you would fill to the max 240ml level.

There’s also a minimum level and if the liquid doesn’t reach this then the chocolatier will switch itself off as a safety precaution.

The jug comes with the frother already attached inside, but if you want to clean it or swap it with the heating attachment, you can simply lift it off.

This is tiny, but lives in the lid so you’ll always be able to find it if you remember to pop it back there after use.

The design is minimalist and there’s only one button to get the hang of.

Other than that, the chocolatier sits on its base like a regular kettle.

Operation and performance

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Salter Chocolatier Electric Hot Chocolate Maker, £34.99 £28.24 from Amazon

The inside of the jug is smooth and easy to clean, which is always a bonus.

I found that both plant and dairy milks simply rinsed off the sides and even residual chocolate shavings came off cleanly without any effort.

You can’t pop the jug in the dishwasher, but you can use hot soapy water to clean the inside if anything does stick.

I never had that problem, though, and I think as long as you stick to the functions as set out in the guide then you’ll be fine.

You don’t need to wait long for your drink either – it takes about 4.5 minutes for a hot chocolate and around two minutes for a jug of froth.

A kettle is quicker but we’re not talking instant gratification here.
It’s well worth the few minutes’ wait.

A kettle is quicker but we’re not talking instant gratification here. It’s well worth the few minutes’ wait

You need 35g of chocolate shavings per cup and you can buy these ready-grated, or as a powder from an array of retailers.

I decided to go for the real deal though and did it myself.

My favourite hot chocolate drink was made using 75% cocoa chocolate, which I grated before adding to the jug (be prepared for the grated chocolate to go everywhere!).

I’m a big white chocolate fan, but when I tried it as a drink, I found it a bit too sweet.

I also tried the Chocolatier with dairy and soya milk and both worked well, though as I don’t like dairy, my preference would always be plant milk.

For some reason I was surprised the finished hot chocolate wasn’t frothy; however, it’s not supposed to be, that’s a separate function.

You can always dress it up with a cream topping and mini marshmallows for the full pub/café effect.

It also wasn’t as hot as I expected but it was a pleasant drinking temperature, which was fine. I think some people might be disappointed it’s not warmer though.

I did experiment with the thick and light froth for coffee, but I wasn’t too impressed with the thicker option as it’s impossible to pour all the foam from the jug, resulting in a lot of waste.

There’s also a cold froth setting, which my daughter tried as she’s a big iced coffee and frappe fan.

I have never seen the point of cold coffee so avoided that one.

Salter Chocolatier review: the verdict

Wow! I loved the hot chocolate I made with this.

The texture was rich but not overly thick, while being creamy and smooth at the same time.

For me, it certainly beats standing over a saucepan of milk to make hot chocolate from scratch, or going for a cup of instant using the kettle.

I can see myself using this a lot.

Though I generally used a high-cocoa content chocolate it was perfectly sweet enough and not bitter at all.

I wasn’t so impressed with the frothing functions though, so will most likely save the machine specifically for hot chocolate.

The major downside to it is you can only make one cup of hot chocolate at a time and because it is drinking temperature when ready, the first person will have almost finished theirs in the time it takes to prepare a second cup.

Either that or one of you will be drinking it cold.

At £34.99 it’s less than half the price of the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser.

The Velvetiser wins out on looks though – this is functional, rather than pretty. However, the Salter model wins on capacity – 240ml compared to 200ml.

If you’re going to use the frother function regularly, or if you’re a big hot chocolate fan and want to invest in an automatic maker without spending a fortune, then I think the Salter Chocolatier is worth it.

Where to buy the Salter Chocolatier Electric Hot Chocolate Maker in the UK

You can buy the Salter Chocolatier Electric Hot Chocolate Maker from the Salter website.

It’s also available from:

WHEN I was doing the research for this SURI review, I came across some alarming stats.

Every year, over four billion toothbrushes end up either in landfill or, more worryingly, in the ocean.

And it takes so long for a single toothbrush to decompose that almost every plastic toothbrush produced since the 1930s is still languishing somewhere on the planet.

If you’re an electric toothbrush user, you might think you’re exempt from this, but — I hate to break it to you — you’re not. In fact, you’re probably worse.

SURI 2.0 Electric Toothbrush, £105

Happily, there’s now an ingeniously designed, decently affordable alternative.

Last week, SURI — a brand favoured by celebs including Gwyneth Paltrow — unveiled its second-generation SURI 2.0 toothbrush, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on one prior to its release date.

I’ve used the original SURI 1.0 toothbrush for years, but for the last month I’ve been getting to grips with the new model.

Pros

• One of the most thoughtfully-designed products I think I’ve ever come across — the attention to detail is astounding
• MUCH more sustainable than alternatives
• Brilliant battery life
• Pretty affordable, depending on which generation you go for
• Perfect for travel
• If you take care of it, it’ll last forever
• Dentist-approved (it’s approved by the dentist I spoke to, at least)

Cons

• The first generation doesn’t have pressure sensing, which can lead to overbrushing
• The second generation is significantly more expensive than the first
• There’s no bells and whistles like app connectivity — but do you really need them?

Rating: 9.5/10

How I tested the SURI toothbrush

I first met the co-founder of SURI, Mark, at a press event almost three years ago.

His knowledge and passion blew me away, and he was kind enough to give me one of the brand’s toothbrushes to try myself.

It’s tackled my gnashers daily ever since — it’s moved house twice with me, and gone on several holidays.

This summer, I was one of several lucky journalists to be sent the brand’s new and upgraded toothbrush, the SURI 2.0.

As the Sun’s reviews manager, it’s my job to hold it to account, ensuring that it delivers on its promises, provides value for money, and handles day-to-day operations.

SURI toothbrush review: The Nitty Gritty

First impressions

SURI 1.0 Electric Toothbrush, £75

Before I encountered SURI in 2022, I’d happily been using a middle-of-the-road electric toothbrush, without thinking too much about its environmental impact.

If you’d put a gun to my head, I’d probably have told you that electric toothbrushes are better for the environment than manual ones, as they don’t have to be thrown away every couple of months.

I’d have been wrong.

In fact, they’re a nightmare combo of hard-to-mine rare earth metals, carbon-dioxide-heavy manufacturing processes and “planned obsolescence” — they’re only designed to last three to five years or so, so that you routinely come back and buy a new one.

That means that they, too, end up in landfills, where their toxic components can leech into soil and water supplies.

SURI (short for “Sustainable Rituals”), by comparison, has put a LOT of thought into how to end the environmental nightmare caused by billions of humans brushing their teeth.

The handle is made from aluminium, rather than the hard plastic preferred by other brands. This is a very conscious choice — 75% of all aluminium ever created is still in circulation today, because it’s such an easy-to-recycle material.

Other parts of the toothbrush are made from clever materials like cornstarch (the head), castor oil (the bristles), and steel (the internal components).

These are all designed to have as small an environmental impact as possible — when you buy replacement heads, SURI sends you a mail bag so that you can return your used heads to be industrially composted.

Does it deliver?

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SURI 2.0 Electric Toothbrush, £105

So we’ve established that SURI is more sustainable than its competitors — but does it make a better toothbrush?

When I’ve spoken to the company’s co-founder, Mark, he has emphasised the company’s decision not to include the app-powered, Bluetooth-compatible bells and whistles you get in other toothbrushes.

After all, what percentage of people really want to link their toothbrush to an app? Most people I’ve encountered want to get the chore over and done with so they can go to bed.

Instead, the SURI is pretty utilitarian — it includes all the things that you’d need in a modern toothbrush, without adding any unnecessary marketing fluff.

It’s a sonic toothbrush, which is a type of electric toothbrush — they’re defined by their very, very quick vibration, which produces their signature “sonic” humming sound.

The SURI vibrates 33,000 times per minute, which actually puts it at the gentler end of the spectrum — and unlike some competitors, it doesn’t have multiple power settings.

Personally, day-to-day, I’m fine with that — I like a gentler clean, and relatively low vibrations work with the softer castor oil bristles to create a sensation that feels much kinder to my gums than other brushes I’ve used.

However, it would be nice to have a pedal-to-the-metal setting for those days when I’ve had a few glasses of red wine, or accidentally made my way through a large bag of Skittles while watching telly.

The thing about the OG SURI brush that concerned some dentists was its lack of pressure sensor, a feature that notifies you if you’re brushing too hard.

Thankfully, the new SURI 2.0 has added that feature.

There are a host of other features that make this brush extremely practical.

The first that comes to mind is the UV-C Travel Case, which comes as standard with the SURI 2.0 but is an added cost for the 1.0.

As well as protecting your toothbrush from whatever else you throw in your suitcase with it, it comes with a UV light that removes 99.9% of the bacteria on your bristles.

There’s also the month-long battery life — my partner’s electric toothbrush only lasts for a week, if she’s lucky.

Last, but certainly not least, is a tiny thing that I love — each SURI brush comes with a magnetic mount, which you can put on your bathroom mirror or wall.

That might sound pointless, but it stops your toothbrush from amassing that gross toothpaste residue at the bottom, which always makes me feel slightly nauseous.

How much is the SURI toothbrush?

The new SURI 2.0 costs £105.

That’s quite a steep increase from the original brush, which retails for just £75.

However, the 2.0 comes with a travel case as standard, which wasn’t the case for the original brush — if you wanted one, you’d have to fork out another £25.

While it’s not exactly a bargain in a world where you can pick up an electric toothbrush for £40 or £50 on Amazon, SURI markets its device as “the last toothbrush you’ll ever buy” — the toothbrush is designed to be repaired, and SURI will replace the battery for a “reasonable” fee.

The toothbrush head needs to be replaced every couple of months; you can buy a pack of three heads for £14.99, or set up a subscription to have two heads delivered every six months for £8.98 each time.

Where to buy the SURI toothbrush

The best place to get the SURI is probably the brand’s own website, where you can find both generations of the toothbrush as well as all the accessories you might want, including the travel case, chargers, magnetic mounts and toothpaste.

However, it’s also available at selected retailers, including Boots.

SURI alternatives

In terms of its environmental attributes, SURI is in a class of its own.

A few companies are attempting to make Oral care more environmental — for example, Georganics makes a sonic toothbrush with a “Zero to Landfill” scheme, through which the brand promises to responsibly dispose of your toothbrush.

However, it doesn’t have the same stylish mass appeal — it feels a bit granola and tree-hugging than SURI’s chic, Gwyneth Paltrow-friendly version of sustainability.

Plus, SURI puts a bigger emphasis on ensuring that its toothbrushes are made from environmentally friendly materials.

And, of course, if you’re not bothered about eco-credentials, there are tons of options available from normal high-street brands.