Wet-to-dry straighteners have long been met with scepticism. Many (our shopping team included) worry they're more likely to fry precious strands than deliver the sleek, glossy finish they promise, undoing years of careful hair maintenance in minutes.

But that might be about to change thanks to Bellissima Italia's latest launch: . This innovative hair tool can 'create dry and beautifully straight locks in just one step' while using less extreme heat to protect your tresses from damage.

Like many models before it, the AirSleek's two-plated design combines drying and straightening in one. Air flows through to dry hair while the bristled plate smooths and straightens as you go. If strands are already dry, it also works as an air straightener for quick touch-ups throughout the day - handy if you're battling mid-afternoon frizz.

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Best of all? - a significantly more affordable option than big-name competitors, like, which is currently on sale at Argos for £379.99 (was £400).

Always on hand to review the latest launches, shopping writers Lauren and Phoebe put the AirSleek to the test. Would it be the hair tool of their dreams - or another heat-damaging nightmare? Let's find out.

On first impression, looked a little bulky — but having previously fallen in love with (it consistently gives my typically limp locks the volume of its life), I was willing to trust the process.

I'll admit, I was a bit cautious; I've never used wet-to-dry straighteners before, and the horror stories about frying your hair mid-styling aren't reassuring. So, to be safe, I spritzed on a generous amount of — which I'd always recommend, no matter what tool you're using — along with my favourite

Once plugged in, the AirSleek was surprisingly easy to use — section your hair, clamp it between the plates, glide down, and it dries, brushes and straightens in one go.

It took three or four swipes for my locks to feel completely dry, and while I was a little anxious at first, I soon realised that my hair wasn't burning to a crisp — phew. In fact, it felt and looked silky and smooth.

Speed-wise, it's a game-changer. My entire head was sleek and dry in just over five minutes—about half the time it would normally take to blow dry and straighten .

That said, I struggled with my fringe. Despite multiple tries, it lacked the bounce I wanted, so I reached for my to finish the job. It isn't a deal breaker, but needing a second tool for a polished finish was a bit frustrating, given AirSleek's promise to simplify styling.

My main gripe, though, is the AirSleek's weight. After a couple of minutes, my arm started to ache, and I genuinely wondered if I'd need to pause for a break—something to keep in mind if you've got lots of hair to style.

Despite its bulk, delivers on its promises. It's fast, effective and far gentler on locks than I expected. At £149, it's a much more affordable option than brands such as Dyson and ghd, making it a solid contender if you want to save time (and cash) on your styling routine.

I have never used a wet-to-dry hair styling tool before, so the moment I heard about , I was intrigued. I have naturally straight hair, but I recently had it cut short with layers and a curtain fringe added. Since then, I've had to straighten my hair most days as my layers and fringe often flick out.

I'm already a fan of Bellissima's products, as the brand's is my all-time favourite (you can read my review ). I usually dry my hair with this and then use my to smooth over my layers and style my fringe. I was interested to see if the 2-in-1 AirSleek could do all of this and save me time.

After washing my hair with the and the , I applied the and brushed it with a detangler. I separated my hair into two sections and then I was ready to go.

The first thing I noticed is the AirSleek has a decent length cord, with it reaching right across my bedroom from the socket to my dressing table on the other side of the room. When I picked it up, it was heavier than I was expecting and it's quite a bulky shape, so it is a little uncomfortable to hold.

I used on the underneath of my hair first, positioning the device at the root of a section and slowly running it down to the tip, curving it in slightly to get my hair to sit neatly inwards. I repeated this on the top section of my hair, then my fringe, aiming to flick it outwards.

I had to go over each section twice for it to be completely dry, but I was impressed with how it straightened the layers of my hair, making them sit in neatly. My hair felt smooth and soft with no frizz at all, and it looked more voluminous than before I washed it.

Unfortunately, the roots of my hair remained damp, as the AirSleek's plates couldn't quite get to them due to the bulkiness of the tool, so I had to blast my roots with my Bellissima hair dryer afterwards. worked to straighten my fringe, however it failed to shape it, so I had to use my ghds to style it.

The AirSleek took longer than my hair dryer usually would, but as it straightens the hair at the same time, it's quicker in the long run. I love the bristles on the gadget as it ensures your hair stays smooth and detangled - you don't need to brush your hair while using it.

The choice of two heat temperatures and fan speeds is great, but I found it doesn't get as hot or as powerful as my Bellissima hair dryer. My wrists ached slightly afterwards due to the bulky shape and weight of it, but I'm sure I'll get used to this over time.

Overall, I'm impressed with how straight, smooth and voluminous my hair looked. I expect if I continue using it instead of hair straighteners my hair would feel healthier, as I'm not using intense heat. I believe the styling tool may possibly be more game-changing for people with naturally wavy hair wanting to save time or those with damaged hair wanting an alternative to an extremely hot hair straightener.

You can buy the Bellissima AirSleek for £149.99. If you'd like to browse similar styling tools, is currently on sale at Argos for £379.99, down from £400. It uses 'powerful, directional airflow' to smooth and straightens the hair from wet to dry.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly styling tool, Amazon is selling the at a discounted price of £56.56. This gadget aims to dry, straighten, smooth and boost the shine of your hair all at the same time.