Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: an affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe
Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler two-minute review
The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Hair Multi-styler is a Dyson Airwrap dupe that’s easy to use and doesn’t weigh heavy on your arm. This will be welcome news to those whose hair features kinks or coils; when your hair is dense, the quicker the blow-dry, the better.
The styler has a sleek look and a thin wand – a popular form factor right now among the best hair dryers – but at a fraction of the price of some of its competitors (the Sharper Image costs $269 vs the Dyson Airwrap’s $499). It has six attachments, including brushes and a detangler for drying, smoothing, and adding body. While barrel brushes aren’t ideal for blowing out coarser hair, the paddle-style brush is perfect for blow-drying and smoothing textured hair. For anyone who’s broken a comb, the detangler is quite sturdy and ready to go on a journey with you. As for the curling attachments, someone with Type 4 hair can volumize fine locks or even give yourself a “bump,” no matter the length – and that’s no easy feat for a more affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe.
Using a vortex or “Coanda technology” to wrap and circulate the air through your hair, the Sharper Image Revel dries hair at a pretty quiet 73.8dB. My husband could not hear me using it from downstairs.
All of the attachments are easy to use, and you simply twist the top of the detangler to extend the comb. Note that those with curly hair may still need a separate blow dryer for diffusing, since this styler doesn’t come with one. However, on a low heat setting, you may be able to stretch out your curls somewhat.
In fact, if you’re looking to stretch hair or do a silk press at home with less heat damage, the 6-in-1 styler is a solid choice without the hefty price tag.
Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler specs
| Dimensions: | 10.5 x 1.75″ without attachments |
| Speeds: | 3 |
| Heat settings: | 3 plus cool shot |
| Attachments: | 6 |
| Cord length: | 8.5ft |
Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: price & availability
- Price: $269.99
- Availability: US only
The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 can be purchased at Sharper Image stores, and on sites such as Amazon, Walmart, and QVC at an MSRP $269.99.
Value-wise, the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 comes in at almost half the price of the Dyson Airwrap – the gold standard for multi-stylers – while still offering great performance across a variety of hair types. Also if you shop around you may well be able to get it even cheaper; at the time of writing it’s available for just $198 at Amazon and also at Walmart.
- Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: design
- Comfortable to hold
- Three heat and power settings
- Surprisingly long
Overall, the Sharper Image Revel styler looks like a curling iron in receipt of a makeover to bring it up to date. An all-rubberized cylinder means you can hold it wherever it’s most comfortable for you. It offers three adjustable heat and power settings, as well as a cold shot. Much like the original Dyson Airwrap, the airflow curlers have a left and right-side option; you have to switch the barrel to change the direction of your curls.
The Revel arrives with six attachments: an airflow curler, hair dryer and detangler, volumizing brush, smoothing brush, and styling brush. Overall, even with the largest attachment, the styler weighs only 1.6lbs – which is wonderfully lightweight and less than the blow dryer that I typically use to diffuse and stretch my hair every so often.
At 17.9 inches, the Sharper Image Revel is quite long, but this also makes it well suited to longer hair. Adding the attachments is simple: twist in place, and remove by pushing the button on the back. At the top, you’ll find the on/off and cold shot buttons. At the end of the handle you’ll find an easy-to-read heat symbol and fan symbol to control speed and temperature.
The power cord is extremely long, which is pretty convenient for styling but awkward for storing the tool away.
- Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: performance
- Reasonably fast drying
- Practice required for best results
I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler on my medium-length, fine Type 4c hair. Before I got started, I divided my hair into four sections and applied a heat protectant. Once I completed styling, I applied a finishing spray. I wasn’t trying to achieve a silk press look, but if I were, I’d need a hair spray that would provide shine and frizziness. Also, it would likely take some practice with the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 to achieve hair that looks like you’ve just stepped out of a blow-dry bar.
I was able to dry my entire head in about 25 minutes, which may seem quite lengthy; but when you consider that it usually takes over an hour to dry and flat-iron my hair, the Sharper Image Revel made good time. Note, though, that my 4c hair is fine, which means it could take someone with more dense, thicker hair longer. Also, my hair did become poofy the second I walked out into the humidity, but on a positive note, the next time I washed and dried my hair, I didn’t notice any heat damage.
The benefit of using a blow dryer and styling system together is that your hair doesn’t have to be 100% dry for you to start to style it. Blow dry it enough to smooth it, then you can allow your hair to dry into a cute spiral or wave. However, I’d advise being gentle with hair to avoid causing damage to your natural curls. I say that as someone who tried to drag the detangler tool through hair without starting with a wide-tooth comb.
Inevitably, I had to take a step back and take my time working my way from the end up to the roots to prepare it for drying. Ultimately I used the detangler attachment as my last step, instead of my first step for detangling, and I will note that it was refreshing that the teeth of the detangler didn’t break like the teeth of many blow dryers and combs I’ve tried in the past.
The success you have with the Sharper Image Revel’s two curling barrels will depend on how straight you’ve managed to get your hair; otherwise, you risk getting them becoming stuck in your hair!
Overall, the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 is a quality product that can save you much time. Styling Type 4 hair of any length can take hours, so any tools that can at least cut down drying time will help. As far as achieving a “straight” look with the Sharper Image Revel, depending on your hair type, one may have to slightly lower their expectations in terms of owning just a single tool that can do it all.
- Performance score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler?
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | Almost half the price of a Dyson Airwrap and delivers great performance for what you’ll pay. | 4/5 |
| Design | Very long at 16.7 inches but impressively lightweight and comfortable to hold, and attachments are easy to add and remove. | 4.5/5 |
| Performance | Reasonably fast at drying hair and you don’t need to wait until it’s completely dry to begin styling, however getting great results requires practice. | 4/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler
- I used the Revel for several months on medium-length, fine Type 4c hair
- I started on freshly washed, detangled hair and removed excess water
- I separated hair into sections and used a heat protectant spray
I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 on my medium-length, fine Type 4c hair for several months, stretching and blow drying hair as I normally would
Having washed and detangled hair, I used a cotton t-shirt to remove excess moisture before sectioning hair and spraying it with heat protectant spray before drying and styling. I used my old faithful blow dryer as a reference point for comparing drying speed and performance.
I’ve been writing about health, wellness and beauty for years, and during that time I’ve tried a variety of products that help to inform my assessment of the performance, design and value of different devices.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed August 2024.
Source: www.techradar.com
