Our tester has thick and wavy 2A hair that measures over 2 feet long. They also have over 25 years of experience styling hair with curling irons, straighteners, and other accessories like hair clips. Stylists consider thick hair as anyone with single strands that are thicker than sewing thread. Our tester also has dense hair that measures more than four inches in diameter when gathered together. 

The 10 curling irons we tested

Important features to consider

Barrel material

The barrel material is important to consider when buying a curling iron. Different plate materials offer features like ceramic that heats evenly and prevents heat damage or titanium that heats up quickly and styles thick hair easily. 

Design (spring, wand)

There are several types of curling devices in the market, and we tested four designs. There is the traditional curling iron made with a barrel and springed clamp, the wand you wrap the hair around with a glove, an automatic spinner, and the Dyson Airwrap Styler that uses the Coanda effect. Wands will tend to give you wavy, beachy curls, and clamp-designed curling irons will give you more structured and tight curls. 

Size & length

Curling irons come in many width sizes, and each size creates different types of curling designs. The smaller the curling width, the tighter the curl, and vice versa. However, styling your hair can often take a long time if you’ve got thick hair. To combat this, a longer barrel helps accommodate more hair and makes styling time faster. For this review, we tested most curling irons with 1 ¼ inch width barrels (except for the Chi, which only came in one size). 

Other (budget, dual voltage, heat temperature)

Other features to consider are heat temperature settings, dual voltage options, weight, and budget. Having thicker (and coarse hair) can be a little difficult to curl and are best styled with higher heat to set the hair. Stylists suggest curling irons to heat between 350-450 ℉. 

If you are an avid traveler, finding a curling iron with dual or universal voltage options is important. This means you can use the styler in different countries. Weight should also be a feature to consider if you need a travel-friendly curling iron. The average weight of the curling irons we tested was 15 ounces. 

Lastly, think about your budget. There are affordable options for thick-haired people who want to curl their hair quickly and easily. The curling irons we tested were between $45-$599.   

How we selected & tested:

Features

We compared the features that made styling fast and easy for thick hair like heat-up time, heat settings, ionization, cord length, and auto-shutoff. Each feature was scored out of 10, and the better features it offered, the higher the score. We recorded the actual timing for heat-up and auto-shutoff timing instead of going along with the advertised timing. The best-curling irons heated up within 30 seconds of turning on and turned off within 30 minutes of use. 

If a curling iron had at least four heat settings, it scored a seven or higher. If the iron featured ionization to smooth out frizzy, thick hair, we rated it a 10. Lastly, the longer the cord length, the easier to handle and score higher.

Build quality

Curling irons with sturdy and well-made designs will last longer and also keep your hair healthier. We analyzed the plate material best suited for thick hair when comparing build quality. For example, we rated tourmaline, titanium, and gold-plated barrel materials the highest out of 10 because they hold high heat very well and quickly for thick, unruly hair. We also tested the spring strength and clamp grip. If the spring was sturdy and the clamp gripped onto the hair well, it scored highest out of 10. For curling irons designed as wands or clampless, we didn’t score these for springs or clamps. 

Ease of Use

While using the curling irons we reviewed characteristics that affected the ease of use, like swivel cord, ergonomics, weight, hair grip, hair section thickness, and how long it took to curl a whole head of hair. Each characteristic scored from one to ten, and the easier and quicker it was to style the hair, the higher the score. Specifically for ergonomics, we kept track of bulkiness and if the tip was meant to hold for easier grip and keep cool to the touch. If curling hair was painless and fast, it scored the highest in this category, like the Bio Ionic. 

Hair results

At the end of styling, we checked to see how the hair felt in the curls, if they were damaged, dry, and frizz-free. The smoother and healthy the hair looked, the higher it scored out of 10. We also measured how long the curls lasted from 1-12 hours, and the longer lasting, the higher the score. 

Travel

For those who like to travel with their styling tools, we wanted to see which curling iron was best to bring to a trip. We considered the weight, cord organization like velcro ties, and dual or universal voltage features. The lighter-weight irons with built-in velcro ties for cords and multi-voltage components scored highest out of 10, like the Bio Ionic or the Kristin Ess wand. 

The post The 10 Best Curling Irons for Thick Hair appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Why trust us?

Our testers have styled their thick and wavy 2A and straight 1A hair for over 30 years, and in that time, they’ve tested many different hair accessories, including claw clips and hair tools like hair straighteners and curling irons for thick hair. One of our testers even has thick hair over 4 feet long! We can’t tell you how many claw clips we’ve collectively purchased in the past because they’ve broken (quite quickly) or can’t hold up the amount of coarse hair we have on our heads. There are now specific features we look for in buying quality and long-lasting claw clips that securely hold our entire head of hair.

Important features to consider

Design

Aesthetics are important to keep in mind. Claw clips come in many sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. There are so many types of designs for claw clips, and we were able to find many styles that accommodate thick hair. For example, some popular styles are the rectangle-shaped clip, butterfly shape, and octopus-shaped clip.

Rectangle clips have rectangular sides and open centers to hold the hair. Butterfly clips have a loop in the center where the spring is located and slightly curved lines where the tines grip the hair. Octopus-shaped clips have extra long prongs that overlap and often hold the hair in a curved bun due to its flattened shape.

Material & build quality

Growing up, we were used to plastic claw clips and understood they had a limited life span. Nowadays, more durable materials are available, like acrylic and celluloid acetate. The latter is a solid material that can bend without breaking and is known for its sustainability. Cellulose acetate can break down into cellulose and acetic acid. We were very surprised at how much pressure and twisting we could apply to these claw clips without cracking.

Another aspect is also the strength of the spring. If a claw clip has more resistance when you open and close it, it will be better off gripping your hair for more extended periods.

Size

The claw size is important to consider when you have thick hair. Obviously, longer or bigger-sized clips can hold more hair. For holding up an entire head of hair, we recommend claw clips at least four inches in length. Also, keep in mind the size of the tines or prongs. The longer the tines, the better the grip, like the Camila clip.

How we selected

We picked claw clips that were trending on popular social media platforms along with dupes or other more affordable claw clips that were rated highly on the internet. We tried to pick clips of different designs, patterns, sizes, and materials to test if they worked on thicker hair types. The claw clips ranged from $2 to $30 each.

How we tested

We ran a series of tests to review each claw clip’s durability. Such as opening and closing the spring at least 50 times, bending the claw open multiple times, twisting the sides back and forth at least five times, and throwing it aggressively on the floor at least five times to see if it broke. While some of these tests are extreme, many popular brands on social media platforms often market their indestructibility, and we wanted to test to see if it’s a marketing scheme. The higher the quality, the higher the score towards 10.

We also tested each claw clip on user experience and how well it securely held all of our thick hair–especially if it was comfortable to wear. We ran basic “shake” tests by wearing the clips and shaking the head repeatedly to see if it would fall out. We also tested working out with these clips by walking and running for several minutes with our hair in buns on top of our heads and pulling our hair back with the claw clip. Each of these user experience tests gave us a score out of 10, and the higher the score, the more comfortable and easy it was to use the clip.

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Why trust us?

Our tester has been styling their hair since kindergarten – blame it on mom for not being too handy in styling, but we learned how to do various hairstyles with and without heating tools for almost 30 years (which means we’re well-versed in testing clips for thick hair and curling irons for thick hair). Our tester has particularly thick, coarse, 2A wavy hair that often needs taming in the mornings. We’ve used multiple brands and types of hair straighteners and understand the features required for styling thicker and coarser hair types.

Important features to consider

Design & features

Straightening iron design can vary in many ways, even though they look similar. Most straighteners will have a V-shape with a hinge on one end and plates on the ends. Different straighteners have varied plate widths (if you have more hair, you may think about wider or longer plates to accommodate more hair).

Try to find straighteners with floating plates to help reduce excess pressure on your strands of hair with each pass-through. Floating plates have springs behind them to make more even contact with hair–allowing for less pulling and better straightening. Also, keep in mind the handles. Some handles are flatter, and others are rounded to help with ergonomics. While we prefer rounded handles for an easier grip, it may also be more challenging for the straightener to stand on its own on the counter.

Heat plate materials

There are so many buzzwords for straightening plate materials today. From ceramic to tourmaline to titanium, there are many different types available. Ceramic is often an affordable option compared to tourmaline ceramic or titanium and still offers benefits like even heating and smooth passes.

Titanium heats up in seconds and helps smooth out the thickest and coarsest hair, but be wary about using a hot tool of this material too much because it can damage your hair if you use it too often. Tourmaline works with many hair types and also heats up fast. It’s often ADDED to other materials like ceramic or titanium and helps to smooth out frizz and keep hair healthy.

Heat settings

While most straighteners have multiple heat settings, some are changing the game. For example, ghd only has one heat setting at 365 ℉, which might be a deal breaker for people with thicker or coarse hair. Most brands recommend using heat settings at 400 ℉ or above for thicker hair because it takes a higher heat setting to smooth out.

Price

Straightening irons come in so many price points. You can find flat irons from $40 to $500. The great thing about straightening irons is that the price point doesn’t dictate quality. I’ve used inexpensive irons for years, but it may cost you if you want more features or tech-focused devices.

Additional features

Other features to consider can also impact your user experience. While not necessary, we enjoyed using a digital screen to know the temperature and when the device was correctly heated. If you worry about turning off your straightener (anxiety we’ve all had at one point), then an auto-shutoff feature will be your best friend.

If you travel often, try finding a straightener with universal or dual voltage so you can bring this styling tool on your next trip without a converter. A minor feature we also liked was a velcro strap to help wrap and organize the cord–this was a small but helpful feature.

How we selected

We selected nine straightening irons of varying materials and designs from $40 to $500. We’ve previously tested some of these straightening irons on other hair types but wanted to see if they held up for thicker and coarser hair. In addition, many of these straightening irons are popular in the beauty industry, and we wanted to see if they were worth their price.

How we tested

For several weeks, we tested each straightening iron and reviewed several tests.

Features

During testing, we took notes on how long each straightener took to heat up properly, ranging from 20 seconds to over two minutes. The shorter the heat-up time, the higher it ranked out of 10. We also tested auto-shutoff features, and while most had this feature, the straighteners that turned off automatically within 30 minutes scored a 10/10. For some irons that took an hour to turn off, we ranked them at a five because we found that too long.

We noted each of the straighteners’ heat settings and ranked those with more custom or higher heat settings higher out of 10 points because the better heat optimization for thick hair, the better. Lastly, all our straighteners feature ionization to promote better hair health.

Build quality

We tested the build quality by researching and reviewing the materials used on the plates each straightener. Many used common materials like ceramic and titanium; both have their own ways of smoothing out and heating the plates quickly to straighten hair. We rated the durability of these materials based on if they were plated (less durable because they can eventually chip), coated with tourmaline on top (to add extra shine), or pure materials (the most durable at 10). We also analyzed the plates and rated them out of 10 if they touched easily without applying too much pressure.

Temperatures

Many of the straighteners we used, boasted high temperatures and we wanted to see how accurate each of these temperatures was during styling. Using a thermocouple probe thermometer, we measured the highest heat of each straightener by placing a thermometer in the center of each plate and pressing the plates together for 15 seconds. We found most brands came close to reaching (or even surpassing) their advertised heat.

Ease of use

While using each straightener, we ranked four categories out of 10: how easy it was to use in terms of ergonomics (how comfortable it is to hold with one hand), if there was a cord swivel, how much it weighed, and if the plates pulled or tugged on our hair with each pass (smoother passes were better).

Hair results

Lastly, we analyzed the hair results with two categories based on hair damage and whether the strands were straight and frizz-free. The less damage, silkier, and smoother the outcome, the higher the score out of 10.

The post The 7 Best Hair Straighteners for Thick Hair appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Why we wanted to try the Shark

Home tech companies like Shark and Dyson move into industries like hair care because they can apply their expertise in producing home tools (such as vacuum cleaners, steam mops, and air purifiers) to other aspects of people’s lives. They often take traditional products like blow dryers and improve their designs for a better user experience.

Just like with their vacuums, Shark is obviously using the HyperAir IQ to go after the higher-end market that Dyson targets with their Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap Styler. The HyperAir IQ offers similar features to its Dyson counterparts, like fast-drying and attachments for different styling methods. Shark also created IQ technology with this blow dryer, which produces both heated and ionized air at high speeds to dry hair not only faster but also with less heat damage.

Unlike Dyson, however, Shark products are often more affordable in price, and the HyperAir IQ reflects this theme. At $249.60, it’s nearly half the price of the Dyson SuperSonic and Airwrap Styler. In addition, the HyperAir IQ is often much more available for purchase, unlike either of the Dyson hair products, making this a good dupe for someone who likes styling their hair.

How we tested

We tested the Shark HyperAir IQ hair dryer on type 2A, thick hair by reviewing the quality of the tool, measuring how long it takes to style hair, and testing various attachments over two months.

Build quality & ergonomics

The HyperAir IQ is composed of a typical plastic body and a circular head instead of a fluted nose that measures 12.5 cm x 7.49 cm x 27.99 cm and weighs 1.65 pounds with an eight-foot cord.

IQ Technology is a combination of heated and ionized air that flows through the air dryer at high speeds. Shark states that this technology helps to dry hair faster and with no damage compared to other tools.

This new hair dryer is built with what Shark calls IQ Technology, which measures the temperature up to 1,000 times per second to make sure it doesn’t overheat and burn your hair. However, unlike Dyson, Shark doesn’t state the maximum temperature it will heat the tool so we don’t necessarily know how hot it gets on the highest setting.

Attachments and accessories

The HyperAir IQ has four different attachments available for purchase or included in a bundle.

• IQ 2-in-1 Concentrator: This attachment is a common tool for many traditional hair dryers, however, the HyperAir IQ 2-in-1 Concentrator has two settings for airflow through the slim nozzle. The wider nozzle is useful for pre-style drying and the slimmer nozzle helps target specific sections of hair, especially when using a brush for a blow-out hairstyle. To switch settings, locate the switch and flip it towards the airflow you prefer.
• IQ Styling Brush: This tool looks like a brush with firm and plastic bristles atop a movable head that moves in a 360-degree area. This attachment helps to straighten and add shine to hair while drying similar to some hot air brushes we’ve tested.
• IQ Curl-Defining Diffuser: This diffuser comes with two different settings that retract and extend the inner prongs to use with shorter or longer curls.
• IQ AirWave: This attachment creates beachy waves by using air to circulate hair in a cylindrical tube and make ringlets. You can also switch the direction the air circulates from left to right depending on how you want to style your hair.

One of the interesting features of the HyperAir IQ is the dual optical sensors that automatically understand which attachments are connected and set the appropriate heat and airflow settings. Since there are three airflow and temperature settings each, it’s helpful to know where to start when styling your hair.

There are also additional accessories that can come in different bundles depending on what you purchase. For example, we purchased the Premium Styling Tools bundle that came with all four of the attachments (and filter brush), hair clips, and a nonslip mat.

Drying performance

Using the HyperAir IQ to dry freshly showered, wet hair without any attachments took about five minutes and 30 seconds on the second level of heat and third level of airflow. Like the Dyson SuperSonic, this hair dryer is especially powerful.

Using other attachments like the IQ Styling Brush was not a great experience due to the awkward angle you need to brush your hair while holding the hair dryer. Although you can move the brush attachment 360 degrees, it felt bulky and awkward in our hands. The plastic bristles also didn’t grab onto the hair adequately.

When using the IQ 2-in1 Concentrator, it was useful to have different options for pre-style and targeted drying in one attachment. The wider pre-style width helped quickly dry the hair with controlled airflow. We liked that you didn’t need to change out attachments to create a blowout hairstyle with a brush, especially because the attachments get fairly hot and are difficult to remove when you use them.

When we asked Shark directly about the maximum heat temperature of the HyperAir IQ, they couldn’t give us an answer. Overall, the HyperAir IQ quickly dried the hair, but we did notice that the hair felt more damaged and less glossy than when we used either of the Dyson tools.

Curling performance

Using the IQ AirWave to curl hair was a bit of a confusing experience. It wasn’t until months of using the HyperAir IQ that we noticed a QR sticker on the machine that leads you to a tutorial website. Previously, we had to look up videos online to learn how to use the IQ AirWave. To adequately get ringlets, we needed to pre-dry our hair to about 80% dryness level, then section off the hair in about four to eight sections.

Starting from the bottom section, add about half an inch of thickness of hair into the tube and make sure it’s in the correct curling direction. Then, turn the machine on and slowly flip the tube upside down. You know it’s properly curling when you can see the hair circulating inside the tube.

It took about 45 minutes to one hour to do our entire head, and it was a workout. Holding the IQ AirWave and the hair dryer takes a lot of endurance and gives you very thin ringlets; it definitely will not give you large bouncy curls or a nice blowout style like you can get with the Dyson Airwrap. While the beachy curls did last an entire day’s worth, it wasn’t our preferred style.

Who would benefit from the Shark HyperAir

If you’re looking for an affordable Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap Styler dupe, then the Shark HyperAir IQ would be a good choice with some caveats, like potential hair damage from setting the heat on too high or the lack of options when curling hair.

Both the Dyson Supersonic and Shark HyperAir IQ run at the same power of 1,600 watts and share some similarities. Here’s a quick comparison between the three:

Who would NOT benefit from the Shark HyperAir

If you want a hair styling tool specifically for curling your hair quickly or styling your hair in big bouncy curls, the HyperAir IQ is not the tool for you. The IQ AirWave attachment is marketed to create “effortless beachy waves,” however, we disagree that it’s effortless due to the large and heavy attachment you need to hold while using the HyperAir IQ.

Due to the type of curling attachment, you can’t adjust the width of curls you want to achieve using the IQ AirWave like you can using the different-sized barrels of the Dyson Airwrap or other curling irons. More often than not, the hair we tested had curls that ended up being about a half-inch thick, no matter how much hair we used while curling.

From out-of-the-shower wet hair to styled and slim tendrils of curls, the entire process took about 45 minutes to one hour. This is definitely not a shortcut to getting beachy curls.

Conclusion

If you want something similar to the Dyson Airwrap styler to curl your hair or keep your hair healthier like both Dyson products, this may not be the styling tool for you. However, if you’re in the market for a powerful and affordable semi-dupe to the Dyson Supersonic, the HyperAir IQ may be an appropriate choice with some caveats, like potential heat damage due to the recommended heat settings. We advise lowering the heat settings to prevent heat damage and applying a heat protector to the hair before using this product. If you just want a powerful hair dryer without attachments like smoothing brushes or curling tools, you might want a traditional hair dryer that’s even more affordable than the HyperAir IQ.

The post Shark HyperAir IQ Hair Dryer Review appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Each tool comes with many attachments to style the hair for drying, smoothing, and/or curling. Both the Supersonic and Airwrap use an aerodynamic phenomenon called the Coanda effect that attracts hair to surfaces through jet propelled streams of air–this helps with styling and smoothing out the hair and reducing the amount of frizz.

What is Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer?

Compared to other hair dryers like the Hot Tools Tourmaline Tools 2000 Turbo Ionic Dryer or the Shark HyperAir, the Dyson Supersonic dried the hair faster without leaving it feeling or smelling fried. At 1.8 pounds, the Dyson is on the slightly heftier side in comparison to other hair dryers. However, we noticed that once we turned it on, the weight didn’t affect usability of the Dyson. Its smaller shape keeps it nimble.

If you’ve ever seen Dyson products, you know they’re nontraditional in ways of design and technology. The Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap styler both continue this theme through their bladeless designs (i.e. the Airwrap’s pre-style drying attachment) that are similar to the Dyson table fans and the Air Multiplier technology that creates high-velocity jets of air to dry hair quicker than traditional hair dryers.

We tested the Dyson Supersonic on type 2A, thick hair using all the attachments, heat settings, and speed settings. We found that it took about four minutes to completely dry from wet, freshly showered hair without using any attachments on the second speed and heat settings. (Note, the highest speed and heat were too strong to use without the gentle hair diffuser or other attachments). With other hair dryers, it took at least 10-15 minutes to fully dry hair.

Amazingly fast & gentler drying

A versatile yet pricey tool that is a styler first, but also dries hair at slower speeds than the Supersonic.

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The Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap also have intelligent heat control technology that measures airflow temperature over 40 times per second, which means if the system gets too hot it will begin to cool down the system. The less heat on your hair, the less damage.

Whereas the Dyson Airwrap styler comes with attachments that lock in place through a locked spring mechanism, the Dyson Supersonic has various attachments that easily connect strong magnets. This makes styling and rotation fast and easy.

The Supersonic comes with five different attachments:

• Gentle air attachment: diffuses air in a gentle and cooler stream of air. This is great for those who have sensitive scalps or thinner hair.
• Diffuser: This larger diffuser is perfect for people with curly or wavy hair. It helps simulate natural air-drying because it disperses air in a wider surface area.
• Wide-tooth comb: This helps smooth and dry curly and textured hair.
• Styling concentrator: This helps with styling and drying your hair in small sections with a precise and controlled stream of air. This is best to pair with a round brush for blowouts.
• Flyaway attachment: A new attachment that helps smooth out flyaway and frizzy hairs using the Coanda effect and heat. This is best used on straightened, dry hair.

One critique that we have for the Dyson Supersonic is that it’s a bit difficult removing the attachments after styling due to the heat. The magnet is fairly strong so it will take a bit of effort to remove, but you can’t hold onto the attachment for too long because it’s too hot. Whereas the Airwrap styler attachments have a piece at the top that remains cool during styling. This makes it easier and safer to remove or change out the attachments after styling.

What is Dyson’s Airwrap Styler Complete?

Compared to other heat styling tools like flat irons or curling irons, the Dyson Airwrap styler does significantly less heat damage on the hair. The hair is noticeably shinier and doesn’t smell fried. We also found that the Dyson Airwrap highest speed level was more gentle on our scalp than the Dyson Supersonic on full strength. However, there is also a large learning curve in learning how to use the Dyson Airwrap styler properly. Learn more about our Dyson Airwrap styler review here.

The Dyson Airwrap Styler is a complete drying and styling set that lets you go from wet to styled hair with one tool. Similar to the Dyson Supersonic, it comes with various attachments that let you customize your hair when styling:

• Pre-styling dryer: This attachment helps you dry your hair to the appropriate moisture level to begin styling with the other attachments. This bladeless fan is similar to the Dyson Supersonic and table fans that the company produces. You get a jet-propelled stream of air to quickly dry hair and reduce the amount of heat damage.
• Airwrap barrels: Two sets of barrels help with curling the hair using the Coanda effect, which is created when strong jets of air curve towards surfaces due to changes in pressure. The air helps the hair wrap around the barrels and form a curl or wave.
• Soft smoothing brush: This attachment has softball tip bristles that are made to smooth out hair. It’s best for sensitive scalps.
• Firm smoothing brush: The firm smoothing brush helps to smooth out unruly and frizzy hair. This is great for thicker hair types.
• Round volumizing brush: This brush combines a hairdryer and a round brush to give you an easier blowout in one tool.

Versatile tool, at a cost

A versatile yet pricey tool that is a styler first, but also dries hair at slower speeds than the Supersonic.

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Similar to the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, the Dyson Airwrap styler is also made with a powerful motor that generates enough pressure to create the Coanda effect and quickly dry and style your hair. It also includes intelligent heat control that measures airflow temperature over 40 times per second to make sure the heat is always under 302 ℉. This helps prevent extreme damage on the hair with heat.

We also tested the Dyson Airwrap styler with type 2A, thick hair and used the various attachments, heat, and speed settings. When drying hair using the pre-drying styler attachment, it took about four minutes to reach the appropriate moisture level fit to start styling hair. If we continue to dry it completely, it takes over seven minutes. Compared to the Supersonic, the Airwrap took three minutes longer to dry hair completely.

While the Dyson Airwrap styler definitely has versatility in styling your hair because it comes with so many attachments, it also has a rather bulky organization issue. It comes with a beautiful leather presentation case, but it isn’t really suitable to use daily or when traveling because it’s so bulky. Dyson sells organizers and travel cases for the Airwrap styler, however, you need to buy this separately. The travel cases don’t fit all the attachments too, so you need to choose them carefully when packing.

Dyson Hair Dryer & Airwrap Comparison Table

For a better comparison of the specifications for each model, here is a table comparing both the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer and Dyson Airwrap Styler complete below:

Reasons to choose the Dyson – Supersonic Hair Dryer

The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is a stronger and more powerful tool when drying hair than the Dyson Airwrap. In fact, we were only comfortable using the medium-level heat and speed settings because the highest level was too much for sensitive scalps–this is why they created the gentle hair diffuser attachment.

We have noticed that drying freshly showered hair with the Supersonic (four minutes) is faster than drying hair with the Airwrap pre-styling dryer (7+ minutes). Obviously, we understand that the Airwrap is mainly used to reach a damp moisture level for styling rather than drying hair completely. However, some (aka us) would rather purchase one model than both.

What we love about the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer is that you can use it on various hair types, from slick straight to textured and curly. Attachments like the hair diffuser allow those who have textured and curly hair to mimic natural air drying and create frizz-free hairstyles. This type of attachment is not available with the Airwrap. With the styling concentrator and your own preferred round brush, you can create bouncy and voluminous blowouts.

Most importantly, the Dyson Supersonic comes with the flyaway attachment that cleans up any excess frizzy hairs at the end of the styling session. We’ve found that the flyaway attachment works better to create a smoother and shinier finish on the hair than the Airwrap styler smoothing attachments.

Reasons to choose the Dyson – Airwrap

One advantage to the Airwrap styler is its versatility in styling. We’ve definitely taken into consideration the polarizing reviews many people have in using the Airwrap and it’s definitely dependent on the type of hair you have and if you can handle the steep learning curve in using the Airwrap on your hair.

For example, curling hair with the Dyson Airwrap styler requires you to understand what level of moisture your hair needs to be to properly set the curls. Oftentimes, you may need additional hair products to fully set the curls. We’ve tested both the Airwrap and Supersonic on straight and wavy hair, but have not tested it on more textured or curly hair. So take these reviews with a grain of salt. See our in-depth review to see how the Airwrap competes with other curling irons for thick hair. 

With the Dyson Airwrap styler, you can use the round brush attachment for an easier blowout with only one tool to dry and style hair. Compared to the Dyson Supersonic, you would need the hairdryer and an additional round brush to create a blowout. For some, mimicking a traditional salon blowout is difficult especially if you aren’t particularly dexterous. Having a free hand when styling a blowout is very helpful because you can move the strand of hair easily.

You can also choose to curl or create bouncy waves with the curling barrels with less heat damage than traditional heating tools because the temperature never reaches above 302 ℉. The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer does not come with or have the capacity to create any type of curls with its attachments.

How to decide which product is better for you

After testing the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and Airwrap styler, we found that each of these products are amazing on their own but most people don’t need both models. Here’s a quick breakdown of who best fits each model:

The Dyson Supersonic hairdryer is for you if:

• You have thick hair and want to quicken the drying process
• You have a minimal, no-fuss styling process
• You have textured or curly hair and want to mimic natural air drying with a diffuser
• You like to customize blowouts using your own round brushes

The Dyson Airwrap styler is for you if:

• You have the budget for a new styling system
• You want multiple options in styling your hair, like curling or blowouts
• You are ready for the challenge and want to experiment with styling your hair
• You start your styling process with clean, wet hair and want one tool to dry and style your hair

The bottom line is if you have a smaller budget and want a traditional, but a faster way to dry your hair in the morning, then you should get the Dyson Supersonic. If you have a larger budget, you want a two-in-one tool to dry and style your hair at the same time, and like trying out new styling tools, then the Dyson Airwrap styler is your next best friend.

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Why we wanted to test the Dyson Airwrap

If you’ve ever styled your hair before with heat, you know the familiar feeling of crispy hair all in the name of beauty. Compared to its competitors, like the Revlon One-Step Styler or the Shark HyperAir, the Dyson Airwrap styler heats and styles hair at a lower temperature. We wanted to try the Dyson Airwrap styler because one of the big selling points that Dyson claims is that it keeps hair healthier by only using lower heat levels when styling hair. This is due to the internal thermometer that keeps the temperature of the tool under 302 ℉, whereas traditional curling wands and irons heat hair at about or above 400 ℉.

The Dyson Airwrap also has various attachments that allow you to dry, smooth, curl, and blow out your hair all in one powerful machine. One of the most intriguing aspects of this hair system is the technology used to style hair, aka the Coanda effect. This aerodynamic phenomenon occurs when air is propelled at a high-speed rate and the differences in pressure help the air attach to surfaces nearby even when these surfaces curve. The Dyson Airwrap styler is built with a digital v9 motor that spins up to 110,000 RPMs and generates 3.2kPa to create enough air pressure to produce this phenomenon.

We were able to see the Coanda effect come into play while using the curling barrel. As you turn on the Dyson Airwrap, strong jets of air flow through the slits of the barrel and encourage the strands of hair to wrap along the length of the curling barrel. The air simultaneously heats and dries the hair gently on the barrel and forms a curl. With the combination of the Coanda effect manipulating hair and using lower heat levels, the Dyson Airwrap is able to style without leaving your hair feeling fried.

Price of different Dyson Airwrap packages

With any other Dyson product, price is expected to be a dealbreaker for many and the Dyson Airwrap Styler is no different. At $549 per set, it’s a hefty price to pay for styling your hair. Dyson also likes to release a special edition set that comes with additional gifts like a Dyson branded comb and brush in a new color for a higher price of $599. For a slightly cheaper price, Dyson also offers refurbished machines on their website that range in price from $379.99 to $399.99 when in stock.

Dyson Airwrap attachments

The Dyson Airwrap styler complete set comes with 6 main attachments, a leather case, a leather slip mat, and a filter brush. Here’s a quick breakdown of each attachment:

• Pre-styling dryer: This is the initial step when first using the Dyson Airwrap, especially if you have wet hair from a recent shower. The pre-styling dryer helps to turn hair from drenched to damp–the desired moisture level for any styling method with this system.
• 1.6 x 4.25-inch Airwrap barrels: These curling barrels are one of two varieties that come with the complete set. This size creates loose and bouncy curls or waves. These are also the shorter barrel length and you have the option to buy the longer barrels, which are recommended for longer hair lengths.
• 1.2 x 4.25-inch Airwrap barrels: These curling barrels produce voluminous curls or waves. This width curling barrel is also available with a longer barrel length for purchase.
• Soft smoothing brush: This comes with soft ball tip bristles to help glide through hair easily while smoothing out frizz. The soft ball tips also are much gentler on sensitive scalps too.
• Firm smoothing brush: This brush comes with very firm bristles that help smooth out unruly and frizzy hair. Using this brush gives a straighter style than the soft smoothing brush.
• Round volumizing brush: For salon-quality blowout, the round volumizing brush is the closest attachment in this set. It’s a combination of using a hairdryer and a round brush to create bouncy and sleek hair.

Dyson also has additional attachments available for purchase on their website: small smoothing brush and small firm smoothing brush for shorter hair and bangs, and the long version of both 1.2 and 1.6-inch curling barrels for longer hair lengths. The barrels are 1.6 x 6.25 inches and 1.2 x 6.25 inches in size.

How to use the Dyson Airwrap

Getting started with the Dyson Airwrap styler can be a bit overwhelming with so many attachments and having to learn a new way of styling hair using jet-propelled air. Here is a breakdown of how to get started with the Dyson Airwrap.

Step 1: Dampen hair with a spray bottle or wash your hair in the shower. Hair needs to be damp in order to begin styling.

Step 2: If you’ve just stepped out of the shower, use the pre-styling dryer to dry your hair to the desired dampness level. Concentrate on drying the roots of the hair since it’s hardest to style and dry this part of the head.

Desired moisture level for each attachment and style based on our tests on 2A type hair:

• Airwrap barrels: 95% dry hair
• Soft smoothing brush: 85-90% dry hair
• Firm smoothing brush: 85-90% dry hair
• Round volumizing brush: 85-90% dry hair

Step 3. An optional step is to add any hair products like heat protectant sprays or mousse to your hair before styling. Then, use the desired attachment on your hair based on the instructions from the Dyson website.

One tip we learned along the way is to work with hair that’s at the right moisture level because if it’s too wet it will be too heavy to wrap around barrels or take longer to smooth out–this is where the pre-styling dryer comes into place. But if your hair is too dry, the style won’t set properly.

When working with the Airwrap barrels, make sure to gently feed the hair sections into the barrel as it wraps and push the curled hair to the top of the barrel if you need more room; This allows more air to wrap around the barrel. It’s also important to use a shot of cool air for about 5-10 seconds at the end of each curl to set the curl in place.

How we tested

We tested the Dyson Airwrap on medium-length type 2A wavy hair throughout two months of regular use. We also experimented with each of the six different attachments on four different heat levels, three airflow speeds, and varying levels of hair moisture.

Using Dyson’s guidance through online styling guides and videos, along with watching various reviews online and in-person from friends, we slowly learned valuable tips and tricks in styling hair with the Airwrap.

We also compared the end results of styling with traditional methods of styling like curling irons, hairdryers, straightening brushes, and flat irons with the Dyson Airwrap styler. When comparing the different methods of styling hair, we noted the differences in hair texture/potential damage, ease of use, and style duration.

Hair texture and potential damage after styling

After using the Dyson Airwrap styler, the hair felt soft, shiny, and smooth. Unlike traditional heating tools, the Dyson Airwrap styler doesn’t heat up hair higher than 302 ℉ and there is definitely a difference in the texture of the hair after styling. Whereas with traditional heating tools, the hair would feel crispy or even smell slightly smoky or burned. After using it consistently for a few months, there is also less strand breakage.

Ease of use

While using the smoothing brush or round brush attachments were fairly straightforward, we had the biggest difficulty getting used to the Airwrap barrels and using the Coanda effect wrapping tech. Traditional curling irons or wands have clamps or heat-proof gloves to help manually wrap the hair around the barrels.

We quickly learned that the Airwrap barrels needed a little guidance and weren’t 100% hands-free in wrapping the hair. It is also helpful to shift the curled hair on the barrel upwards to allow for more surface area on the bottom of the barrel for the rest of the strand of hair.

Another adjustment for curling hair was the necessary 5-10 second cool-shot of air for every curl in order to “set” the curl in place. This is a new step and somewhat annoying since you need to hold the “on” button upwards for the “cool shot of air” to stay on.

Compared to traditional curling irons that take about 20-30 minutes to style, curling hair with the Dyson Airwrap styler takes a longer amount of time (about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on your technique and skill). Technically, the Dyson Airwrap styler simultaneously dries and styles the hair, but for some people, there may not be enough time to wash your hair before styling.

We also found that it was necessary to purchase the longer Airwrap barrels to accommodate medium-long hair. The shorter barrels that come with the original set are too short and there isn’t enough room to wrap the hair along the barrel.

In terms of drying, smoothing, and blowing out your hair, the Dyson Airwrap styler is easy and fast to use, but if you want curly or wavy hair, you will need a handful of patience and understand that this is a different type of curling tool with a set of new skills to learn.

Style duration

In our opinion, style duration for any tool heavily depends on your hair type, the tool, and if you use any additional hair products (like hair spray or mousse). However, we tested the Dyson Airwrap with type 2A hair with no additional hair products and found that different attachments had different outcomes depending on the style.

Both smoothing brushes kept the hair slick and smooth for two days. The round volumizing brush started off slightly bouncy, but the hair fell flat throughout the day and kept some wisps of waves at the end of the strands.

While the 1.6 x 6.25-inch Airwrap barrels produced nice bouncy waves during styling, they started to lose their shape at the end of the night and looked like a day-old blowout the next day. On the other hand, the 1.2 x 6.25-inch Airwrap barrels created bouncy but tight curls and stayed intact for 2 days up until the hair was washed; Using the thinner barrel has a similar style duration to traditional curling irons we’ve used in the past.

The Airwrap on long air: does it work well?

On long hair, the Dyson Airwrap styler is a dream especially using the firm smoothing brush and the longer Airwrap barrels. The firm smoothing brush helped smooth and straighten hair much faster than using a hairdryer and paddle brush. It was much easier having an extra hand when styling too.

We found that it was necessary to buy the additional longer Airwrap barrels because the length of the hair was difficult to wrap all the way around the shorter barrels. The long barrels allow for more surface area for the hair to wrap around and therefore more hair is exposed to the gentle heat for styling. Using the long Airwrap barrels kept curls styled for over two days.

Unfortunately, we did wish the round volumizing brush was larger and wider. Unlike getting a blowout at a hair salon, the brush and hairdryer are able to give you a bouncier texture. The round brush is slightly too small and doesn’t give as much volume as expected. If you’re interested in seeing a comparison of the Dyson Supersonic versus the Airwrap styler, we’ve done a complete review here.

Can you use it on dry hair?

The Dyson Airwrap is meant to be used on damp hair, whether that’s straight out of the shower or dry hair spritz with some water, as long as the hair isn’t bone dry. Depending on which attachment you want to use, the moisture level of the hair ranges anywhere from 85%-95% dry.

If the hair is too dry, the heat is too low to actively manipulate and style the hair aka it will fall flat quickly. However, if the hair is too wet, it will take longer to dry and style or it won’t even wrap around the Airwrap barrels because it’s too heavy.

Is the Dyson Airwrap worth it?

Lastly, we also compared one of the biggest deterrents for this product: the price. It’s one of the most expensive styling tools in the market and by far one of the biggest questions online and in-person we ran into was, “is it worth the price?” If you want a styling system that is super quick and inexpensive, then you may want to pass since the Dyson Airwrap styler doesn’t necessarily produce better results in terms of styling than traditional methods. (See how the Airwrap competes with traditional curling irons for thicker hair here.) However, if money is not a big deterrent and you want a healthy way to style your hair on a daily basis, then the Dyson Airwrap styler is definitely worth buying.

Great Results, But Pricey

Great results while providing gentler heat to protect your hair. Worth it if you can stomach the cost.

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Travel is more enjoyable when you have the right gear. We’ve reviewed travel jewelry cases and packing cubes, but also wanted to find the best bag to hold your squishable and sometimes expensive toiletries and cosmetics. The ideal toiletry bag should be roomy enough for deodorant and tweezers or safety razors and magnetic eyelashes, while also protecting them from anything that might spill during transport.

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Table of contents

• Dermatologist recommendations
• How we selected products to test
• Compare the best soaps for sensitive skin
• How we tested
• Best body wash: CeraVe – Hydrating Body Wash
• Runner-up: Aveeno – Skin Relief
• Other finalists we recommend
• Other finalists we don’t recommend
• The bottom line

Dermatologist recommendations

This year, 60–70% of women and 50–60% of men reported having some degree of skin sensitivity. To understand exactly what kind of soap is most beneficial for sensitive skin, we first consulted Dr. Tiffany Jow Libby, a board-certified dermatologist who has sensitive skin herself.

Soap’s alkalinity, as Dr. Libby points out, plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. The pH scale, which measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is, ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline). Since the skin’s surface prefers to be acidic (to help it stay moisturized and fend off the effects of pollution, bacteria and allergens), soap makers sometimes try to match that acidity level, which usually ranges in pH from 4.5 to 5.5. Soap with a pH ranging from 4 to 7 is considered “pH-balanced” — meaning it falls within the pH range of normal, healthy skin.

“Ideally, we want to keep skin in this range to maintain a healthy barrier function,” says Dr. Libby. “Many bar soaps have a pH within the range of 9 to 10 and therefore tend to be more alkaline, which can disrupt the skin’s pH.”

Dr. Libby also recommends checking the ingredients list for added artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, harsh exfoliants or other irritating ingredients. “Just because it says ‘made for sensitive skin’ doesn’t always mean it is,” she warns.

How we selected products to test

After speaking to Dr. Libby, reading through articles by trusted review sites like Business Insider and scouring Reddit and the MakeupAlley.com message boards for soap recommendations, we drew up this list of features to look for as well:

• Fragrance-free: While “unscented” often means an ingredient was added to mask the scent of a soap, “fragrance-free” means no extra fragrances were added to those that are naturally occurring.
• Paraben-free: These preservatives can irritate sensitive skin — especially conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
• Methylisothiazolinone-free: This mouthful of a preservative has a high incidence of allergic reactions in the skin.
• No denatured, isopropyl or SD alcohols: Unlike fatty alcohols, which are non-irritating and good for dry skin, denatured, isopropyl and SD alcohols can dry out and erode the skin’s surface.
• No harsh exfoliants: This includes physical exfoliants, such as nut shells.
• Beneficial ingredients: Chamomile, glycerin, coconut oil, colloidal oatmeal, comfrey, allantoin, calendula and aloe can have a soothing effect on sensitive skin.

We used this list to sort through the highest-rated soaps and body washes for sensitive skin and zero in on the most beneficial and non-irritating of the bunch. We also aimed for soaps that wouldn’t break the bank, with price points below $20.

Compare the best soaps for sensitive skin

How we tested

To test the pH level of each soap in our lineup, we used an Apera PH20 Waterproof pH Meter. Eight of our soaps fell within the “pH-balanced” range of 4–7, with four soaps in the ideal 4.5–5.5 range. The remaining two — both bar soaps, unsurprisingly — were 10 and 10.1, respectively.

Our tester then showered with each soap and rated them based on how they affected her sensitive skin, judging by soap texture, added fragrance (or lack thereof) and whether her skin felt soft and moisturized or irritated and dry afterward.

Best body wash: CeraVe

With a balanced pH of 6.4 and the creamiest formula in our lineup, the CeraVe – Hydrating Body Wash has a rich, lotion-like consistency that left our tester’s skin feeling smooth, clean and replenished. Truly fragrance-free, we couldn’t detect even a naturally occurring scent in this body wash.

The CeraVe body wash is a dermatologist favorite, and no wonder. It’s paraben- and sulfate-free and full of beneficial ingredients like glycerin, soybean oil, hyaluronic acid and ceramides — lipids that occur naturally in the skin and help keep it supple, but slowly deplete with age and sun damage. Using a product enriched with ceramides can help the skin restore moisture, soothe irritation and even reduce signs of aging.

“Think of the uppermost barrier of your skin as a brick wall, with each skin cell being one brick,” explains Dr. Libby. “The mortar holding the bricks together are the moisturizing factors and lipids, i.e. your ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. Any decrease or disruption in these lipids can compromise the skin’s barrier and lead to inflammation.”

Top Pick: CeraVe - Hydrating Body Wash

Packed with soothing and moisturizing ingredients, the creamy, lotion-like CeraVe - Hydrating Body Wash leaves skin feeling clean, calm and hydrated.

See Price at Amazon

The one downside of CeraVe is its rather stiff container, which makes it tough to get any product out when the bottle is less than full.

Key takeaways:

• The CeraVe – Hydrating Body Wash has the texture of a creamy lotion, gliding smoothly over the skin and leaving it feeling clean and moisturized.
• This 6.4-pH dermatologist favorite is free of fragrance, parabens and sulfates. It’s packed with moisturizing and soothing ingredients like glycerin, soybean oil, hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
• The CeraVe’s stiff container makes it hard to squeeze the product out.

Runner-up: Aveeno – Skin Relief

Our runner-up, the Aveeno – Skin Relief Body Wash is richly moisturizing and feels luxurious. The Aveeno has a perfect pH level of 5, so our tester experienced zero irritation, and post-shower, her skin felt soft even without lotion. Though technically fragrance-free, we should note that the Aveeno wash does have a naturally occurring mild, citrusy scent.

Runner-Up: Aveeno

The hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic Aveeno - Skin Relief Body Wash has a neutralized pH and contains colloidal oatmeal, known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.

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Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), the Aveeno wash is dermatologist-recommended and has no added dyes. In addition to glycerin — a humectant that helps the skin retain water — Aveeno’s star ingredient is colloidal oatmeal (“avena sativa” in the ingredients list), a soothing prebiotic that helps replenish the skin’s barrier.

“Colloidal oatmeal is a favorite of mine,” Dr. Libby says. “It’s a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps soothe and alleviate dryness and itching, which may be seen in inflammatory conditions like eczema.”

Key takeaways:

• With a pH level of 5, the mild Aveeno – Skin Relief Body Wash falls within the ideal pH range for sensitive skin.
• The Aveeno wash is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic and contains colloidal oatmeal, a soothing natural anti-inflammatory.
• This body wash doesn’t contain added fragrance ingredients, but it does have a mild, natural citrus scent.

Other finalists we recommend

Eucerin – Skin Calming Body Wash

The Eucerin – Skin Calming Body Wash has a pH level of 6.1 and is one of the more moisturizing soaps we tried. Its first ingredient is soybean oil, which has been shown to help skin retain moisture when applied topically. Its second is castor oil, an anti-inflammatory that also promotes moisture.
Sure enough, after showering, our tester’s skin felt cleansed but also soft and supple, and she didn’t feel she needed to apply lotion. The downside of fragrance-free Eucerin is the natural odor from the vegetable oils, though it disappeared soon after our tester dried off.

Aquaphor – Baby Wash

The Aquaphor – Baby Wash, which has a pH level of 4.7 — the lowest of all the soaps we tested — is a clear gel that feels very mild on the skin. After showering, our tester’s skin felt cleansed but not particularly moisturized or dry.

Completely fragrance-free and paraben-free, the Aquaphor wash contains bisabolol, an anti-inflammatory alcohol extracted from chamomile.

Sukin Naturals – Sensitive Soap Free Body Wash

The Sukin Naturals – Sensitive Soap Free Body Wash is very similar to the Aquaphor body wash in texture and consistency. While this wash doesn’t contain added fragrance, it does have a somewhat acrid naturally occurring scent.

The Sukin wash has a 5.2 pH level and skin-soothing ingredients, such as aloe, chamomile, glycerin, cucumber, green tea and avocado oil.

Andalou Naturals – 1000 Roses Shower Gel

With its low pH level of 4.9, the Andalou Naturals – 1000 Roses Shower Gel felt great on our tester’s skin, leaving it both cleansed and hydrated. The Andalou wash has plenty of ingredients that are directly beneficial for sensitive skin: aloe, glycerin, allantoin, coconut extract and argan oil.

The downside of the Andalou wash is its combination of rose water and rosehip oil, which produces a natural rose scent (hence the “1000 Roses” name) that some people may find overwhelming.

Bioderma – Atoderm Shower Oil

The Bioderma – Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Anti-Irritation Shower Oil feels luxe and nourishing on the skin; our tester loved how hydrated her skin felt afterward. We should note that the Bioderma oil has a potent added fragrance, though it didn’t irritate our tester’s sensitive skin.

The Bioderma wash contains skin-moisturizing glycerin and niacinamide, which helps stimulate the skin’s own production of ceramides. Though generally safe for sensitive skin, some people have experienced irritation after applying niacinamide to the skin; we recommend doing a patch test before using it in the bath.

Dove – Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar

Out of the bar soaps we tested, the Dove – Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar was the only contender that fell within the desired pH range. While the other soaps’ pH levels soared around 10 — which is normal for pure soap — the Dove bar tested at a 7.

The Dove soap is scentless and easy to rinse off, and it left our tester’s skin feeling clean but neither dry nor moisturized — just neutral. If you prefer your soap in bar form, we recommend this one as the best bar soap for sensitive skin.

Other finalists we don’t recommend

Booda Organics – Suds of Love All-In-One Soap

The Booda Organics – Suds of Love All-In-One Soap is truly fragrance-free and only contains five ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil, fair-trade shea butter, artesian spring water and sodium hydroxide. However pure this soap may be, we can’t ignore the resulting pH of 10. A pH level this high could cause dryness and irritation for some people.

Lush – Olive Tree Bar

Though the Lush – Olive Tree Bar contains a wealth of moisturizing ingredients — glycerin and olive, coconut, cypress, petitgrain and rose oils — it was the only soap in our lineup that left our tester feeling itchy. With the highest pH of all the soaps we tested (10.1), this bar soap also has a very prominent scent that may irritate sensitive skin.

The bottom line

After gathering dermatologist recommendations and testing our lineup of 10 highly rated formulas, we determined that the best soap overall is the CeraVe – Hydrating Body Wash, which impressed us with its extra mild, soothing formula and stellar ingredients list.

Our runner-up is the Aveeno – Skin Relief Body Wash, which is both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic and features the powerful natural anti-inflammatory colloidal oatmeal.

Best Body Soap for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe

CeraVe - Hydrating Body Wash is a neutral-pH soap with soothing and moisturizing ingredients. It leaves you feeling clean, and it doesn't have any distinct odor.

See Price at Amazon

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How we selected

After spending the last 15 years shaving with everything from specialized head shavers to electric razors to straight razors, our staff shaving enthusiast has some confirmed opinions about what makes a good shave. There are some amazing wet shaving products out there that will really help you get a noticeably better shave, with less irritation and maybe even clearer skin than you’re used to.

Finding real value

Buying shaving products with a one-stop shopping experience is tricky. We searched for popular so-called reviews of shaving kits, and our resident shaving nerd was shocked to see recommendations for collections of products worth $20 or $30 but selling for $90 or more. Sure, these kits often include a few reliable pieces, but you shouldn’t pay extra for mediocre fillers.

Before you look at kits it’s well worth checking out our safety razor review, shaving brush review and shaving cream review to see what top-quality options are available for $5–$20 per item. For $58 you can have all the top wet shaving products we’ve reviewed, and that setup will beat the pants off what’s in most $70 Amazon kits.

Complete shaving kits for those who prefer easier-to-use cartridge razors aren’t easy to find. Harry’s and Gillette side-brand Art of Shaving both sell a travel kit, but the basic gear and sample-size shaving products included aren’t worth the hefty up-charge.

Well-known products

After coming away basically empty-handed from direct Google and Amazon searches, we checked Reddit wet shaving product recommendations at r/wicked_edge and r/wetshaving, as well as the reviews at sharpologist.com and the forum at badgerandblade.com, to gauge the differences between popular shaving kits and make sure we weren’t missing any hidden gems.

Established sellers

Next we checked the inventory and prices at those longest-running and most-recommended shaving shops on the web to see what their starter kits had to offer. After cross-referencing razor reviews and narrowing down our criteria for essential features, we found a few bargains and a few stand-out luxury products that we built this list on.

Our writer for this post wishes he could have squeezed in a few more of the excellent small-shop vendors that have made shaving so much better in the last 20 years, but these are the best values and sure-fire upgrades that are worth buying as-is. Note that if you’re looking for something with slightly different features, most shave shops will be able to put together a more customized kit if you ask nicely.

Important features to consider:

Types of razors

Most people already know what they love or hate about the big-name disposable-cartridge razors, but the finer points of old-fashioned safety razor are important to note. Safety razors use loose double-edge blades,  which are very affordable and even recyclable. Most safety razors set up the blade and guard bars at a fixed angle, and as you practice shaving you’ll learn exactly how to hold the razor for a close-but-comfortable result. Check out our safety razor review for more details about which razor designs are easiest to learn with.

Soap or cream scents

Unscented shaving products or less-daring options like simple citrus scents are the easiest way to avoid buying stuff you can’t stand. That said, shaving products that capture a more daring blend of botanical or cologne-like smells can change shaving from a dreary routine to a daily ritual you look forward to. Our staff soap collector loves the curated sample packs from West Coast Shaving that highlight what the best artisans have to offer.

Razor blade brands

Choosing a razor blade to load into your new safety razor is tricky. Thick or wiry hair demands extra sharpness compared to fine hair, but if you can get a comfortable shave with a less-sharp or Teflon-coated razor blade your skin will thank you. Sample packs are the best way to find out what works for your face: This set includes both Feather and Derby, the most popular picks for sharpness and smoothness.

Shaving brushes

Unlike razors, the best shaving brushes have totally changed in just the last five years. The big pivot is from animal hair — which was only nice to use if you bought the highest grades of brush — to incredibly-soft synthetic fibers developed for painter and makeup artist brushes. We found in our shaving brush review that there are two commonly-used fibers: One that has blonde color bands and is a little bit floppy, first used by Plisson from France, and a new slightly-stiffer black and white fiber, pioneered by Yaqi in China but now available from nearly every factory and brush maker.

TSA checkpoint suitability

There is a problem with most of the travel-oriented shaving kits we found: The Transportation Security Authority makes shaving difficult. First, they want your soap or cream in a container less than 3.3 ounces. Second, the TSA won’t let you carry on loose razor blades. The soap is fairly easy to deal with — scoop it into a smaller container or even make your own shaving stick — but the blade problem isn’t so simple. Safety razor users have to check a bag, hope they can buy decent blades at a drugstore when they arrive, or buy backup plastic-cartridge razors for air travel.

A travel bag

Also known as a dopp kit or toiletry case, a piece of luggage dedicated to your shaving gear makes it much easier to shave at the gym or when travelling. Sadly, a travel bag isn’t usually enough if you’re flying — you’ll need to put the contents on the security checkpoint conveyor in a see-through bag, making most dopp kits obsolete for frequent flyers.

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Many of the best boxer briefs are made of breathable and moisture-wicking fabric blended with spandex, which gives them elasticity for form-fitting around your legs and bottom and also prevents them from shrinking after multiple washings.

A lot of guys don’t like the feel of the synthetic blends on their bodies, and so 100% cotton briefs are their underwear of choice. Cotton is known for being absorbent and breathable — all true —  but if there’s not a small percentage of a shrink-resistant fabric in the mix, those all-cotton boxer briefs will shrink down to “tighty-whities” before too long and will need to be replaced.

The boxer briefs we selected to test are made with traditional cotton or moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics, such as modal and bamboo. We’ve tested them all for comfort and support and washed them several times to see which will hold their shape and still cling where you want your underwear to cling.

If you’re in the market for new underwear, why not upgrade your dress socks too, and check out our review of the best men’s dress socks.

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