IN THE MIRROR with Cassidy Pearce

From rollers to heat tools and dressing gown ties, it’s clear that people will try just about anything to uncover the secret to having flawless hair – without the associated damage.

In 2018, the Dyson Airwrap Multi Styler well and truly changed the game, with curling, straightening and drying attachments using innovative technology to minimise the use of heat, all for a cool $949.

As someone who spent years straightening my hair multiple times a week – to the point where even close friends thought it was natural – this all sounded very intriguing. But the price tag? Not so much.

Fast forward to April 2023 and the Airwrap’s younger (and cheaper) cousin, the Shark FlexStyle, finally launched in Australia at just $499. Still pricey, of course, but is it worth it if it saves your hair, and replaces the need for other tools?

In terms of similarities, the Airwrap and the FlexStyle are both produced by reputable vacuum brands. Both have a range of features, including the iconic auto-wrap curling wands, and advertise themselves as heat-tool alternatives that are better for the hair than standard hairdryers, straighteners or similar.

But, with the Airwrap having made such an impact on the industry, it’s easy to question whether the FlexStyle is a quality product in its own right, or nothing more than a poor dupe.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing out the FlexStyle and can confirm that the latter is simply not the case.

Along with the hairdryer base, the FlexStyle comes with six attachments – a Styling Concentrator, Curl-Defining Diffuser, Paddle Brush, Oval Brush, and two Auto-Wrap Curlers – packed into a sleek and convenient case.

Immediately, I was surprised by the power of the base alone, which can be used straight, or twisted into the shape of a regular hairdryer. But, seeing the other tools combat my somewhere-between-wavyand-curly hair texture was even more exciting.

Taking into consideration the obvious critique that both the Airwrap and the FlexStyle can be tricky to manoeuvre, particularly when also balanc ing the dampness of your hair with the tool’s heat and airflow settings, I found that after a few attempts at using the curlers, the process became fairly autonomous, leav ing your hair shiny and bouncy for days.

The minimal heat applied with the tool is of course a bonus, though heat protection is always a must!

Having only tried the Airwrap once in-store a few years ago, I admit this isn’t the most even comparison.

Lipoedema is a chronic condition that involves abnormal laydown of inflammatory adipose tissue (fat) in the legs and arms, the most common symptoms include easy bruising, hypermobility (overly flexible joints), swelling, and pain (can be very severe) that can either come and go or is only felt when the fat is pushed on very lightly like the tap of a finger. It’s not well established on the cause of lipedema, but it occurs almost exclusively in females and is reported to start or worsen during hormonal shifts like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.

Lipoedema vs obesity

The main symptoms that can differentiate lipedema from obesity (as they’re often confused) is the pain sensitivity to touch and the patterns of fat deposits, as obesity involves fat throughout the whole body whilst lipedema fat is not found in the hands and feet and might just affect the legs or just affect the arms.

Lipoedema vs lipolymphoedema (lipo-lymphoedema)

There will typically be swelling in lipoedema because the excessive fat content can mechanically restrict the lymph vessels from working properly, leading to fluid build-up, which can eventually result to a failed lymphatic system called lymphoe- dema, but in this case, lipolymphoedema. The legs in lipoedema are symmetrical whilst one leg can be bigger than the other in a lipolymphoedema.

Treatment options

Exercise and dieting have shown no effect into losing weight in lipoedema patients. However, following an anti-inflammatory diet and a suitable exercise program for the individual is important to prevent worsening the condition.

Light touch may be a trigger for pain but some individuals from past clinical experiences have shown tolerance to the contact of MLD massage and applying a compression garment, which are most beneficial into preventing or managing lymphoedema.

The surgical removal of fat is called liposuction and is an option to improve lipoedema. However, as with all surgeries, it must be carefully discussed with your doctor.

Seeking a professional in mental health like a psychologist may also be needed.