Shark FlexStyle vs Shark Glam

Listing facts side by side

Both are corded, both run on UK mains and both come with Shark's Auto-Wrap curlers. The big differences are the heating method and the extra smoothing tools in the Glam box.

See every Shark styler compared →

How the FlexStyle works

The FlexStyle is an air styler. Its Auto-Wrap curlers use the Coanda effect: fast air leaving slots in the barrel follows the curved surface and pulls a section of hair around it, so you do not wind it by hand. A cool burst then sets the curl. The paddle brush smooths and the oval brush adds lift at the root. Shark's listing says the tool measures heat 1,000 times per second to keep the air temperature consistent.

The other trick is the hinge. Twist the handle and it becomes an angled hair dryer, so you can rough-dry with the concentrator or diffuse curls without a second appliance. For many people that is the main reason to buy it: one tool replaces a dryer and a curling wand. Our FlexStyle how-to covers each attachment step by step.

How the Shark Glam differs

The Glam adds contact heat. Its Silki tool combines heat-controlled ceramic with high-speed airflow for a smooth finish on wet or dry hair, and the Glossi hot tool and air glosser is aimed at glossy, frizz-free blow-dries with bounce. Shark describes a Gloss Lock technology that seals in shine on dry hair. In practice, ceramic surfaces let you smooth with fewer passes than air alone, much like a straightener that also blows air.

It still includes Auto-Wrap curlers and a curl defining diffuser, so it can curl and define like the FlexStyle. The listing also mentions a Scalp Shield mode, which lowers the air temperature for drying near the roots. The box is bigger and comes with a storage case, so it is less of a grab-and-go tool than the FlexStyle 5-in-1.

Which suits your hair

Hair length matters as well. Very short hair may not wrap around either curler, while long hair takes more sections and more time with air-only curlers. Our guides to multi-stylers for long hair and short hair go into that in detail.

• Fine hair that you want to curl or volumise: FlexStyle, as air-only styling at lower heat is gentle and the oval brush gives lift.
• Thick or frizz-prone hair you want sleek: Glam, because the heated ceramic tools smooth faster than air alone.
• Curly hair you want to define, not change: either, both include a diffuser; check the bundle before buying.
• You also need a normal dryer: FlexStyle, thanks to the twist hinge.
• You mostly restyle second-day hair: Glam, since its tools are designed to work on dry hair too.

Heat, care and everyday use

Any tool that heats hair can cause damage if you use it too hot, too often or on the same section again and again. Air stylers keep the air below the very high temperatures of hot plates, and contact tools with temperature control reduce the risk of scorching, but neither removes it. Use the lowest setting that gets the job done, keep the tool moving and use a heat protectant if your hair is fragile.

Both tools have filters that collect dust and hair. A clogged filter makes any styler run hot and can trigger a cut-out, so clean it regularly; our guide to cleaning the FlexStyle filter shows how. Check the Shark manual for the Glam's own filter and attachment care, as procedures differ between models.

Note:Unplug and let any styler cool fully before cleaning or swapping heated attachments. Ceramic tools stay hot for a while after switching off.

Our verdict in short

If you want one flexible tool for drying, curling and volume, the FlexStyle 5-in-1 is the more versatile buy and is easier to store. If you care most about a polished, glossy finish and want to smooth thick or frizzy hair quickly, the Glam's ceramic tools justify the bigger box. Compare both with the Dyson options in our Airwrap alternatives guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Shark Glam replace straighteners? For many people it can, because the Silki tool combines ceramic heat with airflow to smooth hair. If you want very flat, pin-straight results on coarse hair, a dedicated straightener may still be quicker.

Can the FlexStyle straighten hair? It smooths rather than straightens. The paddle brush gives a sleek blow-dry finish, but there are no heated plates, so very curly hair will not go poker straight with it.

Which is better for curly hair? Both include a diffuser for defining natural curls. The Glam's curl defining diffuser and the FlexStyle's diffuser both spread airflow gently; choose based on whether you also want ceramic smoothing tools.

Can I use either on wet hair? Yes. Both are designed to dry and style from wet. Rough-dry to damp first for the best curl hold, as curlers work best on hair that is not soaking.