Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool review: an easy, lightweight alternative to a multi-styler

If you’re a fan of the beauty tech world, you’ll know that Shark has really been on a roll this year. We’ve already had the new Shark Glam multi-styler and the FacialPro Glow, and now the brand's latest hair tool has landed on my desk for testing.

I’ve been using the Shark Glossi 2-in-1 for the past few weeks, and after giving its predecessor – the Shark SmoothStyle – three stars in my review a few years ago, I was really curious to see how this new version would perform. Safe to say, it’s a huge improvement, and if you love the look of a salon blow-dry but don’t need all the extra attachments that come with a multi-styler, this could be the perfect fit.

You’ll find my full thoughts below – and don’t forget to check out my guide to the best Dyson alternatives, especially if you’re shopping around and want expert-tested options.

Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool review: price and availability

The Glossi has an RRP of £159.99/$179.99 and is available from Shark’s online store as well as Boots, John Lewis and Argos.

I’ve been using the Juniper version, which is a gorgeous metallic teal shade, but it also comes in Raspberry, Lychee and Gold.

Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool review: design and features

Overall, the Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool feels very well designed. It has a distinctive teardrop-shaped head that allows the tool to sit much closer to the roots than a traditional round brush, providing more volume and control when curling the ends. This may be obvious too, but it's a lot smaller than the Shark SmoothStyle, which was my main issue last time.

The Shark Glossi's body houses heat-regulated ceramic plates that stay evenly distributed across the surface, as well as built-in air channels that push out a steady stream of airflow. Together, these two technologies allow the Glossi to act as both a heated styling tool and a high-powered air glosser, which is why it feels like a blow dryer and a hot brush merged into one.

There are two modes to choose from – Wet Mode for drying and shaping damp hair, and Dry Mode for smoothing and refreshing already-styled hair. This makes it a lot quicker to style your hair if you've just stepped out of the shower, and the temperature regulation keeps your hair protected the whole way through.

The brush head uses a mix of synthetic and natural bristles, which help detangle, guide the hair and spread natural oils for added shine. These work alongside Shark’s 24-Hour Gloss Lock technology, which aims to keep your style looking smooth and frizz-free long after you finish styling.

There are also multiple heat and airflow settings, so you can tailor the tool to your hair type or the look you’re trying to achieve. The long, tangle-free swivel cord gives you plenty of room to move around, and as mentioned, the handle itself is light and comfortable to hold.

Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool review: performance

As I mentioned earlier, I was really interested to see how the Shark Glossi would hold up. I’m not entirely sure why, to be honest – a blow-dry is one of my favourite hairstyles, and the Glossi-style head on the Shark FlexStyle is my go-to attachment. So, as you’d expect, I was pretty over the moon with the results.

The biggest thing to note is that because it’s smaller and has a much better-designed head than the SmoothStyle, it’s so much easier to use, which naturally leads to better results. It’s really easy to get right up to the roots, and the lighter weight means my arm didn’t start aching halfway through styling.

The results themselves are also brilliant, especially when used on dry hair. I will admit that the style looks better and lasts longer in Dry Mode than Wet Mode – but that’s the case for most stylers. Dry hair simply holds shape better as the internal bonds are already reformed and set in place, giving more structure and volume. That said, wet styling is still great for smoothing and reducing frizz, but this explains why dry styling stays in place a little longer.

In terms of the little details, I really appreciate the long power cord. This is something Shark always seems to get right, especially as there’s nothing more annoying than being stuck right next to a plug socket whilst styling your hair.

This is also the first non-multi-styler Shark tool I’ve used that comes with a larger power plug, which adds an extra layer of safety. You see this a lot on Dyson tools, and it looks like Shark is starting to follow suit.

During use, it’s worth mentioning that the Shark Glossi is on the louder side, but that’s simply down to the technology. Hot brushes that don’t use airflow are quieter, so that’s always an option if noise really bothers you.

I also loved having the choice of different heat and airflow settings, which gives you that multi-styler feel without the hassle of swapping between loads of attachments.

Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool review: verdict

Overall, the Shark Glossi is a brilliant option if you love the look of a salon blow-dry but don’t want the bulk or complexity of a full multi-styler. It’s lighter, easier to handle and far more intuitive than its predecessor, with results that look especially impressive on dry hair. Whilst it’s a little on the louder side, the strong performance, thoughtful design and flexible heat and airflow settings really make up for it. If a smooth, glossy blow-dry is your favourite style, this is a tool you're going to love.

Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool review: alternatives to consider

If you love the sound of the Glossi but want even more versatility, I have to recommend the Shark Glam. It uses the same Glossi head but adds a bunch of other attachments, including the new Silki tool – a straightening attachment that uses ceramic hot plates and airflow for flexible styling.

Another great alternative is the Revamp Ceramic 40mm Hot Brush. Its round brush design makes it better suited to short-medium hair and it only has two heat settings, but it’s far more budget-friendly and still does a great job.