Dyson head of engineering Adriano Niro.

After the development of its high-tech dryer, Dyson has turned its expertise to making a styling device that will help bail out bad hair days. The British company, best known for its vacuum cleaners, has invested in hair research by building state-of-the-art labs to understand, from root to tip, hair structure and behaviour.

Dyson Airwrap styler and attachments.

"There are different hair types and within that so many variations," said Adriano Niro, Dyson head of engineering. "Furthermore, hair can be affected by the difference in temperature, humidity and pollutants in each country. However, hair is not just a physical thing. It's emotive, because people don't feel good when having a bad hair day."

The new device, named Airwrap, took six years to develop and involved 642 prototypes as well as 230 engineers and scientists. "To make something that makes everyone happy takes a lot of time," Niro said. "That was one of the aims in developing the Dyson Airwrap, to make it versatile and user-friendly."

The final product comprises a pre-styling dryer designed to get hair to the ideal moisture level before using curling barrels or brushes. The Airwrap's 30mm and 40mm barrels create voluminous and loose curls or waves. Designed with ball-tipped bristles, the soft brush adds body or volume to limp, flat hair while creating a smooth, blow-dry finish. The firm brush has straight bristles in order to tame unruly thicker and coarser hair for a sleeker style with less frizz. Additionally, the round brush enhances volume, ideal for creating tension to shape finer, thinner and straighter hair. After choosing the right attachment for the desired look, the combination of powerful airflow and heat control allows easy and quick styling while avoiding tangling commonly associated with heat tools and brushes.

"The Airwrap does what it says," said Niro. "Without having to twist hair while changing styling barrels, [it] will give various salon finishes. Moreover, its single-handed operation makes it easy to use."

Next-level styling.

Niro was based in Singapore before moving back to Dyson headquarters in Malmesbury in the UK two years ago. His professional accomplishments during his decade in Asia include setting up Dyson's technology centre and manufacturing facilities in the Lion City. The Singapore Technology Centre is equipped with advanced scanning electron microscopes, thermal cameras and other equipment to conduct hair tests, and also houses acoustic, fluid dynamic, performance and high-voltage labs in developing the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and its V9 digital motor.

Comparable to a jet engine, the V9 motor with 13 blades provides more stability and runs more efficiently with better acoustics. The Airwrap styler is also powered by the V9 motor, which causes a Coanda effect when a high-speed jet of air flows next to a surface and, due to differences in pressure caused by the surface, the air flow attaches itself to the surface. This physical principle allows hair to curl around the styling barrel. Whether curling, waving or smoothening strands, it creates a natural look while helping prevent extreme heat damage through intelligent heat control technology.

Besides the science, Dyson also looked into styling habits around the world. "When we design something, it starts with a problem, whether a dirty floor or pollutants that can be cleaned by our vacuum cleaner or air purifier," Niro noted. "Regarding hairstyling, people want to look good without damaging their hair, and our problem-solving products make things better, for use in everyday life."