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With the launch of the brand new BaByliss Style Secret Air, I have been reminded of how the original BaByliss Curl Secret was such a moment back in the day. It honestly felt like magic when it launched! If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll remember how excited I was about automatic curlers when they first arrived. And judging from this blog’s analytics (yes, I see you all!), loads of you are still searching for the differences between the older BaByliss curlers.
The BaByliss Style Secret Air is very different from the old Curl Secret. So I wanted to give you the updated comparison you’re actually looking for. If you’re trying to decide which curling tool to buy right now, this should make life much easier!
Quick Summary: Curl Secret vs Style Secret Air
Here’s the top-line difference:
- BaByliss Curl Secret – classic ceramic auto-curl chamber, super simple, beginner-friendly, gives consistent, polished curls.
- BaByliss Style Secret Air – brand new airflow + rotating barrel technology, more styling options, gentler heat, and way more control over curl type.
Now let’s get into the detail, because they really are different tools.
BaByliss Curl Secret – The Classic Auto-Curler
I remember the first time I tried this – the sound it makes literally sucking your hair in(!) was terrifying at first, but it works. And once you get into a rhythm, it is genuinely so easy. Although if you aren’t careful, there can be the occasional heart-stopping moment where your hair gets trapped. It’s been a while since I’ve used mine, but I still have it in my stash.
How it works
You feed a section of hair into the chamber, it automatically wraps it around a heated ceramic barrel inside, then beeps when your curl is ready. The curl type depends on the timer setting you choose.
Why people love it
- Really easy to use, even if you’re a total curling novice
- Produces neat, even curls
- Quick once you get going
- Alternating curl direction makes it look more natural
What to keep in mind
- Works best on short to medium-length hair
- Not the most versatile – it’s mainly just curls
- Can give that “all the curls look the same” finish unless you loosen them up afterwards
- Uses only heat (no airflow), so still important to use heat protectant
- Can sometime catch the hair if you overload it, or have tangles in your section
BaByliss Style Secret Air – The NEW 2025 Airflow Auto-Styler
This one is totally different, and honestly, it feels like the next generation of styling tools.
How it works
Instead of a chamber, it has a 25mm ceramic barrel that rotates while blowing controlled airflow around the hair. So it’s a mix between a curling tool and a hot-air styler.
Think of it as:
Airwrap meets auto-curler meets curling tong.
What’s new & exciting
- 4 heat/airflow settings – you can go gentler or more powerful depending on your hair
- 4 timer settings for different curl types
- 3 rotation directions (much more control than Curl Secret)
- You can create way more than just curls – waves, soft bends, volume, polished finishes
And the airflow makes styling feel more modern and lighter than the old heat-only approach.
Why it’s better for some people
- More versatile – you’re not locked into one look
- Better for medium to long hair
- Airflow + heat can be slightly gentler on the hair
- Great if you like softer, undone, modern waves rather than tight curls
This one is definitely more of a styling tool, whereas Curl Secret is specifically a curl maker.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Curl Secret | Style Secret Air |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Auto-curl chamber | Rotating barrel + airflow |
| Styling options | Curls only | Curls, waves, volume, blow-dry finish |
| Heat/airflow settings | 2 heat, 3 timer | 4 heat/airflow, 4 timer, 3 direction |
| Hair suitability | Best for short/medium | Great for medium–long |
| Ease of use | Easiest for beginners | Slight learning curve |
| Hair health | Heat only | Heat + airflow (potentially gentler) |
| Best for | Quick, uniform curls | Versatile, modern styling |
Which One Is Right for You? (Ree’s Recommendation)
Personally, I think the new BaByliss Style Secret Air is miles ahead of the Curl Secret, and you are far less likely to get your hair tangled in it. Plus it’s way more versatile.
Curl Secret is good if:
- you just want quick curls with minimal effort
- you’re not fussed about waves, texture or volume
- you have shoulder-length or shorter hair
Choose Style Secret Air if…
- you want the new technology and more styling options
- you prefer softer, more modern looking waves
- you have medium to long hair
- you want more control over heat, curl direction and curl tightness
- hair health is a priority for you
If you’re buying a tool today and you love a styled, salon-y finish, the Style Secret Air is the one I would get. LOOKFANTASTIC* currently has the best price.
BaByliss Style Secret Air Video
Final Thoughts
The Curl Secret is still a great little curler, it does exactly what it set out to do, and as long as you use appropriately sized and completely tangle free sections, you should get along well with it. But the BaByliss Style Secret Air feels like the evolution of auto-curling technology, offering more options, more control, and a more modern finish.
If you’re updating your kit this year, the new Style Secret Air is the more forward-thinking choice and gives you much better styling variety for the money. In fact, it made it into my electricals gift guide this year! To see that, read: Best Electrical Beauty Gifts Christmas 2025 – Skincare Gadgets, Hair Tools & More.
LOOKFANTASTIC* currently has the best price.
FAQ: BaByliss Style Secret Air vs Curl Secret
What is the difference between the BaByliss Style Secret Air and the BaByliss Curl Secret?
The Style Secret Air uses a rotating ceramic barrel plus airflow to create curls, waves and volume, while the Curl Secret uses an enclosed chamber that simply heats the hair into a curl. The Style Secret Air is more versatile and allows more control over heat, direction and styling results.
Is the BaByliss Style Secret Air better for long hair?
Yes. The Style Secret Air works really well on medium to long hair because the open barrel design can handle longer sections more easily. The Curl Secret tends to work best on short to shoulder-length hair.
Is the BaByliss Style Secret Air easier to use than the Curl Secret?
Both are easy once you get the hang of them, but the Curl Secret is the quickest to master because it uses a simple curl chamber. The Style Secret Air has more settings and styling options, so it offers more control but takes slightly longer to get to know.
Does the Style Secret Air damage hair less?
It can be gentler than traditional curlers because it uses a mix of airflow and heat, and you can choose lower heat settings. As always, using a good heat protectant is essential to minimise damage.
Can the Style Secret Air create loose waves as well as curls?
Yes! This is one of the biggest advantages of the Style Secret Air. You can create soft waves, bouncy curls, blow-dry style volume or more defined curls just by adjusting the heat, airflow, timer and rotation settings.
Is the BaByliss Style Secret Air worth upgrading to if I already own the Curl Secret?
If you want more flexibility, softer waves, or a more modern tool that mimics salon airflow styling, then yes, the Style Secret Air is a worthwhile upgrade. If you only ever wear tight curls and love the simplicity of the Curl Secret, you may not need to switch.
What size curls does the BaByliss Style Secret Air create?
It uses a 25mm barrel, which gives you everything from loose, beachy bends to tighter curls depending on the timer and heat setting you choose.
Is the BaByliss Style Secret Air better than the Tymo Curl Pro?
I haven’t tested the Tymo Curl Pro myself, but based on the published specs and user reviews, the key difference is that the Style Secret Air uses a combination of heat and airflow to create curls, waves and volume, while the Tymo Curl Pro is a traditional auto-rotating curling iron. This means Style Secret Air is likely more versatile and potentially gentler on the hair, whereas Tymo Curl Pro focuses on quick, simple curls with direct heat. If you’re looking for a wider range of styles and a more modern styling mechanism, Style Secret Air will probably feel like the more advanced option.
Where to buy BaByliss Style Secret Air
The new auto-curler is £120 and available now via the links below (check each for offers):
