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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!

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

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.

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