You’ve seen the videos. Someone stands in front of a mirror, damp hair looking a bit chaotic, and ten minutes later they have that bouncy, 90s supermodel volume. It looks effortless. But then you buy the Shark FlexStyle, click on that round brush, and somehow end up with a tangled mess or hair that falls flat before you even leave the bathroom. Honestly, it's frustrating. The Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment is arguably the most powerful tool in the FlexStyle arsenal, but it’s also the one people struggle with the most.
Most people treat it like a regular hairbrush. It isn't. It’s a precision styling tool that uses airflow and nylon bristles to create tension. If you don't get the tension right, you're just blowing hot air at your cuticles.
What Actually Makes the Shark FlexStyle Round Brush Attachment Different?
Let’s get into the mechanics of why this specific attachment matters. Unlike a traditional round brush where you need the coordination of a circus performer to hold a heavy blow dryer in one hand and the brush in the other, this combines them. It sounds simple, but the physics change things.
The Shark version uses a mix of long, flexible nylon bristles and shorter, stiffer boar-like bristles. The long ones are there to detangle and grab the hair. The short ones? Those are for shine. They smooth the hair shaft as you pull. If you look closely at the barrel, you'll see the vents are strategically placed to distribute heat evenly. This prevents those "hot spots" that happen with cheap metal round brushes which can literally cook your hair from the inside out.
Shark Ninja designed this to be part of a "multitasker" system. Because the FlexStyle itself can rotate into a wand shape, the ergonomics of using the Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment are vastly different from the Dyson Airwrap's equivalent. You have more leverage. You can actually pull. And in the world of blowouts, tension is king. Without tension, you just have frizz.
The Bristle Problem
Some users complain that the bristles feel too soft or that they lose their shape after a few months. Here’s the reality: they are designed to be somewhat forgiving. If they were too stiff, you’d be ripping hair out by the root when the motor is running at full blast. If you notice your bristles splaying, it’s usually because you’re pressing too hard against your head or storing the attachment haphazardly in a drawer. Pro tip? Store it upright or in the original case. Don't let it sit on its "face."
Getting the Prep Right (The Step Everyone Skips)
You cannot use the Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment on soaking wet hair. You just can't. If you try, you’ll be there for forty minutes, and you’ll likely heat-damage your ends because they’re being exposed to high temps for too long.
Rough dry first.
Use the concentrator nozzle or just the base of the FlexStyle to get your hair to about 80% dry. It should feel damp to the touch but not cold or dripping. This is the "sweet spot." Also, let's talk about product. If you aren't using a heat protectant, stop right now. Seriously. A lightweight volumizing mousse or a blowout cream like the Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray or the Shark-recommended Briogeo Blossom & Bloom will make the brush glide smoother.
If your hair is fine, avoid heavy oils before using the brush. They weigh down the roots, and the whole point of using the Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment is to get that lift at the scalp.
Sectioning: The "Lazy" Way That Actually Works
Don't just grab random chunks. You don't need forty clips, though. Just split your hair into three layers: bottom, middle, and the "mohawk" section on top. Start at the bottom. Why? Because if you start at the top, the damp hair underneath will ruin the sections you just dried with its steam.
Techniques for Massive Volume
Most people pull the brush straight down. That is a mistake.
To get real volume with the Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment, you need to lift the hair up and away from your scalp. Imagine you’re trying to brush your hair toward the ceiling.
- Place the brush under the section of hair, right at the root.
- Hold it there for three seconds to "set" the lift.
- Slowly rotate the brush as you move down the hair shaft.
- When you reach the ends, roll the brush all the way back up to the scalp.
- Hit it with the Cool Shot.
That last step is the "secret sauce." Hair is like plastic—it's malleable when it's hot and it sets when it's cool. If you drop the curl while it's still hot, gravity will win. Every single time. Hold that cool shot button for at least 10 seconds before releasing the hair.
Shark vs. The Competition: A Quick Reality Check
We have to talk about the Dyson Airwrap. It’s the elephant in the room. The Dyson round brush is smaller and has harder bristles. It’s great for short hair or bangs. However, many stylists prefer the Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment for long or thick hair because the barrel is larger. A larger barrel means more surface area, which means a faster blowout.
The FlexStyle also runs a bit hotter than the Dyson. This is a double-edged sword. It styles faster and can "tame" coarse hair better, but you have to be more careful about how long you leave the heat on one spot. If you have bleached or heavily processed hair, keep the FlexStyle on the medium heat setting. The high setting is powerful—maybe too powerful for fragile ends.
Common Troubleshooting
- Hair getting tangled? You’re taking sections that are too wide. The section of hair shouldn't be wider than the brush itself.
- Zero volume? You're likely not drying the roots enough or you're pulling downward instead of upward.
- Frizz? Make sure the airflow is pointing down the hair shaft, not up. The brush should be moving in a way that flattens the cuticle.
Longevity and Maintenance
Believe it or not, you need to clean your Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment. Hair oils, skin cells, and product buildup coat those bristles over time. This makes the brush less effective and can eventually cause a weird smell when the heat hits it.
Every few weeks, use a wide-tooth comb to pull out any trapped hair. Then, take a damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild shampoo and wipe down the bristles. Don't submerge the whole thing in water—there’s metal and plastic housing in there that won't appreciate a bath.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Blowout
To get the most out of your tool, change your workflow tomorrow morning. Start with a high-quality flash-dry primer to cut down on heat exposure.
First, use the FlexStyle in its "styling" mode to get the moisture out of your roots. Flip your head upside down for two minutes while rough drying; it’s the oldest trick in the book for a reason. Once you're 80% dry, click on the Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment.
Focus on the "Mohawk" section last. This is the hair that sits right on top of your head and around your face. Spend the most time here. Use the "over-direction" technique—pull the hair on the right side of your head over to the left while drying it. This creates a natural, swinging volume that looks like you just stepped out of a salon in Midtown.
Finally, don't touch your hair for at least ten minutes after you're done. Let the style completely "settle." If you start running your fingers through it while it's still warm from the residual heat, you'll break the bonds you just worked so hard to set. Finish with a light mist of flexible hold hairspray—something like L'Oréal Elnett—and you're good to go.
The Shark FlexStyle round brush attachment isn't a magic wand, but it's close if you respect the physics of heat and tension. Master the cool shot, watch your section sizes, and stop over-drying your ends. You'll see the difference in your first try.
