Here’s what we think of Dysonâs new hair straightener, the Corrale âŚ
Last year, we were at the Dyson HQ for the launch of their zippy styling tool, the Airwrap. And we were surprised when we first saw it, not only by its dramatic âhair vacuumâ effect, but also because it wasnât straighteners. It seemed far more likely that they’d launch straighteners after the triumph of the Supersonic drier. The Airwrap is an extraordinary piece of tech, with attachments that magnetically clip on so you can diffuse-dry, wave, smooth and curl your hair. But we still all use straighteners, don’t we? Even though we know they must be knackering our hair. Behind the hair-taming brilliance of straightening irons, thereâs always that underlying concept of lying your hair on an ironing board and flattening the life out of it with intense heat.
We never used to care about condition. In the 1980s, we permed, crimped and peroxided our hair to oblivion in pursuit of the latest look â which lay somewhere between Melanie Griffiths in Working Girl and the endlessly bouffant Simon Le Bon. The skincare equivalent was lying on tinfoil in the sun â yes, people actually did that. But now in the 2020s, we’re better informed and actually care what we’re doing to our skin, hair and body, both in the long-term and right now. The trend for Brazilian blowdries has diminished, we pile on the Olaplex to help with broken bonds, and poker-straight is no longer an option unless, as hairdresser Dylan Bradshaw points out, you have super-healthy hair. Mintel reports that 58 per cent of people say they try to limit how much they use electrical beauty devices, being aware of the damage they can cause.
Just as natural is in when it comes to skincare and make-up looks, so it is with hair. But this is not just about using a decent shampoo. Itâs about the environment, lifestyle, pollution, how you wash it and your heated tool habits which are generally worse than weâd admit. Itâs not news that passing red-hot irons relentlessly over your hair is damaging it and yet we still want that smooth, non-frizz finish.
Dyson have looked at this dilemma with fresh eyes, as they always aim to do. As senior design engineer Gavin Galligan told me at a preview a few months ago, Dysonâs whole motivation is making things âthat work betterâ. Itâs as simple as that. They have several R&D facilities across the world, enabling them to get key local information on different hair types. I have visited the UK hair testing labs where they test out their products on every conceivable different hair type and environment; everything from performance to durability is pushed to the limit.
First thoughts about the new Corrale? It looks like a giant stapler. And hallelujah, itâs cord-free â just as with their vacuum cleaner, Dyson have freed the straighteners from the wall, but insist that thermal performance is the same as a corded straightener. They last up to 30 minutes on full charge, and take just over an hour to fully charge up again. If you need longer than that, just attach the (magnetic) charging cable.
When I first picked the Corrale up, I was struck that itâs heavier than the ones Iâm used to. It has been designed with ergonomics in mind, however, and the lack of cable means itâs actually easier to wield and control. Bradshaw says he finds it more centred and with a more natural balance.
Key differences? Where other straightening irons have solid plates that heat to very high temperatures (around 220 degrees), Dyson have developed flexible metal plates, made from a blend of six metals, that deliver an even spread of heat. This means the temperatures don’t need to be as high â and so you’re looking at 50 per cent less damage. So the key aspect of the Corrale, as with the Supersonic, is the heat sensor. It monitors the heat of the appliance ten times a second, ensuring the heat is safer and also entirely even. Why does it have three different temperatures (165°C, 185°C and 210°C)? The instinct, surely, is always to whack it up to the top heat. But Galligan emphasises that this tool is designed to work for all hair types, and that different hair types suit different temperatures â so if your hair is finer, for example, stick to the lowest, safe in the knowledge it will still be effective. The best advice is to go to a salon or ask instore for advice.
Hair experts wince at the damage caused by regular straighteners and their high temperatures. âThis causes major problems with condition, elasticity of hair, colour fade, and reduces the natural give of hair,â says Dylan Bradshaw. Youâre basically frying your hair. âI know that when someone leaves the salon with beautiful colour and cut, theyâre going to go home and murder it. Dyson have really opened the question to both consumers and professionals and itâs all about condition and hair health. I always think of hair like a fabric that you wear every day. Just as you take care of your clothes and your skin, your hair needs as much care and attention.â
I havenât used it regularly so I canât swear to the performance quite yet, though Dyson themselves have clocked over 600 hours of trials across five countries. Iâm not convinced by the charging stand â personally I wouldnât want it on display like a giant ornament, even though this is safer than leaving it lying on the floor. The weight might take a bit of getting used to, and you wouldnât take this travelling, though thereâs a flight mode for safe travel.
But as a styling tool, the Corrale is fast, efficient, trustworthy and more versatile than youâd think: Bradshaw shows me how to achieve natural smooth waves, using an âopen and closeâ pressing movement down the hair, as well as straightened lengths. This is very exciting, and I start working out a convincing cost-per-use argument to justify the purchase: for example, if you have a weekly blowdry (lucky you) at âŹ35 each, the Corrale pays for itself in less than four months⌠(I think â I write about lipstick so maths isnât my strong point). The flexing plates are edged with tourmaline, helping to reduce static. And realistically, since weâre never going to stop smoothing our hair, itâs best to do it the safest way possible. While young girls dye and style their hair with carefree invincibility, at âŹ500 I reckon that the biggest market for the Corrale will be the older user who is conscious of thinning or fragile hair.
The Dyson Corrale is available to buy at Dyson Mall Demo Zones in Dundrum Town Centre, Swords Pavilions, Liffey Valley shopping centre and Stephens Green Shopping Centre, âŹ499.Â
