Though the beloved Dyson Airwrap has a reputation for bestowing some seriously voluminous styles, it’s simply not in my budget to spring for a $600 hair tool. I’ve long hoped to find a similar all-in-one device that will give my strands shiny (healthy!) waves without setting me back a couple of car payments, and at last the hair gods have graced me with the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler (now $188)… which delivers comparable results for half the price.
As a chronic hot-tool user with split ends, the Revel caught my attention with its promise of faster, more versatile styling with less damage. Unlike traditional irons, which use heated plates that clamp down on your strands, the Revel employs hot air (like a blow dryer) that flows in circular motions (like the AirWrap) to help you achieve the bouncy style of your dreams.
It comes, as you might guess, with six attachments: A detangling comb, a large round volumizing brush, a small round styling brush, a flat smoothing brush, and left and right curling barrels (which need to be switched to change the directions of your curls). It’s equipped with three adjustable heat and power levels as well as cold shot capabilities.
When the box containing my Revel styler arrived, I was equal parts curious and intimidated—there’s a lot going on with this tool, and I wasn’t sure how it would work with my fine, frizzy hair.
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To my relief, it was so easy to use (which is not the feedback I’ve always heard from Dyson users). There’s a learning curve with the curling barrels because they need to be switched as you move from one side to the other, but after watching the brand’s how-to videos I had it down pat.
The styler base is lightweight and quieter than my blow dryer, and I love that the cold shot doesn’t need to be held down (the thrill equivalent of a dress with pockets!). As I began experimenting with the different attachments, I couldn’t help but think, “This wand is the future.” Simply put, the technology is far more advanced than the heat tools I’ve always sworn by.
Like a kid with a new toy, I tried every attachment immediately (thankfully, they’re simple to swap). I first tested it out on dry hair, and was gobsmacked by how bouncy and wavy my strands looked. Then, when I put it to use on freshly washed strands, it not only cut my drying time in half (a major plus for anyone looking to minimize damage), but it also made my hair look less frizzy and parched and even made my ends feel softer.
The Revel doesn’t require the same tugging and tension as using a brush and blow dryer or a traditional plated iron, so it’s gentler on the strands (another bonus for those who want to cut back on damage). There’s also a flat paddle attachment, which smooths and straightens hair without making it look limp the way a flat iron typically does. The device is so versatile, you can quickly resurrect your style with very little work (and no need to rewash your hair).
Since the Revel has only just been released, I can’t speak to its long-term durability, but I can confirm that I’ve already packed away my other hair tools since they’ve been made obsolete. The Revel is a keeper, and I look forward to having healthier hair over time…without sacrificing on style.
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