T3 AIRE 360 review: ceramic curling barrels and serious suction equal the perfect recipe for bouncy blow-outs

In case you haven’t read the memo, bouncy blow-dries are back and bigger than ever. Back in the 90s when this look was most common, it would have taken an army of hair stylists to create glamourous waves and sky-high volume. Thankfully, however, the best hair curlers and best hair dryers have come a long way since the decade that brought us Britpop, Friends and the first PlayStation.

Case in point? The new AIRE 360 from luxury hair tool brand T3 is the first-to-market ceramic air styler that puts the va-va-voom into tired tresses and creates long-lasting loose curls with zero heat damage. After three years of research and development, it’s more than a rival to other Dyson AirWrap dupes with Coanda-style tech, including the Shark FlexStyle and the Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO. Read on to find out why.

T3 AIRE 360 REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The T3 AIRE 360 is now available to buy in the UK in the Satin Blush colourway for a recommended retail price of £249.99 from T3micro UK and Amazon UK.

In the US, the T3 AIRE 360 is available in three colourways – Satin Blush (reviewed here), Sugar Plum, and Mint for $299.99 from T3micro US.

T3 AIRE 360 REVIEW: UNBOXING AND DESIGN

Unboxing the T3 AIRE 360 – or the AIRE 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit, to give it its full name – is a real treat. Nestled within the stunning hexagonal packaging, you’ll find instruction manuals that you’ll quickly pass over to examine the pretty yet practical Vegan leather storage tote tied up with a drawstring bow.

It just begs to be ripped open so you can discover all that’s inside, and when you do, you’ll be delighted to find internal pockets for every one of the AIRE 360’s accessories, so you can keep everything neat and tidy.

Aside from the AIRE 360 base unit, you’ll find the following attachments (suitable for all hair types and textures) to help you achieve bouncy blow-dries at home:

• one SoftAire Drying Concentrator for fast yet gentle drying that helps to protect your hair’s natural moisture
• one Oval Brush attachment, engineered with SmoothGrip bristles to smooth, lift, and shape hair
• two x 1.35” Ceramic curling barrels (one Left, and one Right), designed to gather hair to form curls using nothing but air

The AIRE 360 base is super lightweight, with a swivel power cord measuring approximately 2.7 metres for easy styling, plus buttons in all the right places, including an on/off sliding switch, a speed button with three settings, and a temperature button with three heat settings.

The latter also acts as a cool shot button when held down, and there’s a sliding switch on the other side that frees the styling attachments when pulled down and locks them firmly in place when released upwards.

In terms of looks, the base with its matching accessories and storage bag in a Satin Blush finish screams luxury and subtle glamour, making it worthy of any boudoir.

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T3 AIRE 360 REVIEW: FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE

You can just tell that the T3 Aire 360 is the result of three years’ research and development, as well as a direct response to customer feedback following the brand’s decision to rethink the air styling category (the first Dyson AirWrap launched all the way back in 2018).

Having tested several AirWrap dupes myself over the years, I can believe T3’s claims that they listened closely to consumer pain points across reviews and social media, because it feels to me like the brand has somehow read my mind and set out to address issues I’ve personally experienced with other tools.

I especially like the placement of the buttons on the base unit. All are positioned closely together at the top of the base so you can comfortably grip it in one place and just move a finger around to control the speed, temperature, and power.

This is most useful when using the temperature button to activate the cool shot, because you can press it down with your index finger, then once your hair is set, simply slide your finger down an inch to turn the power off.

It might sound like a small thing, but styling this way becomes almost intuitive, and after a while, you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed, rather than grasping around for the on/off switch located somewhere else on the base and potentially singeing your hair with unnecessary heat in the process.

Another stand out feature is the addition of the custom-blend CeraGloss ceramic coating on both the oval brush and the curling barrels. You won’t find this first-to-market feature on any other air styling device, and it makes a big difference in terms of achieving a smoother finish, boosting shine, and creating longer-lasting curls and volume.

But perhaps the best thing about the T3 AIRE 360 is its suction power, or its ability to grab hair around the barrel using nothing but air. Honestly, you just hold a section of hair out to the side of your head and the barrel scoops it up and does all the work for you, which greatly speeds up the styling process and enhances the final look of your hair.

The end result is an effortless, glossy, bouncy blow dry with zero heat damage and all-day hold, and I was personally blown away by the level of volume I managed to achieve on my curl-resistant hair (my hair always did what it was told when it was bleached to within an inch of its life, but I find styling trickier now it’s healthier).

Overall, I’ve been mightily impressed with the T3 AIRE 360, not just for the big things like the amazing suction and ceramic barrels, but also for the thoughtful touches, like the sizeable tips on the ends of the curling barrels and oval brush that help you to get a better grip on the tool and save you from burning your fingers, as well as the storage bag with its internal pockets that’s ideal for travel.

Moreover, I like the fact that you get only the tools you need to create bouncy blow-outs at home and nothing more. Because who needs a load of extra attachments that only gather dust and push up the price point?

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T3 AIRE 360 REVIEW: VERDICT

The T3 AIRE 360 is first-to-market air styler with ceramic attachments, enabling you can get smoother, glossier hair at home and bouncy blow-dries without the hairdresser.

The result of three years of research and development, it boasts powerful suction, excellent button placement, superior accessories and a pretty yet practical storage bag. It might not be cheap, but it’s reasonably priced compared to other air styling tools out there and seamlessly blends substance with style.