I still remember the dread I used to feel every time I washed my hair. It wasn’t the washing part that bothered me; it was the aftermath. Standing in front of the mirror for forty-five minutes with a heavy blow dryer, sweating, and trying to wrestle my thick, wavy hair into submission was my own personal purgatory.
And the worst part? Half the time, the humidity would undo all my hard work within ten minutes of leaving the house. That is when my stylist introduced me to the neon green bottle that promised to change everything: Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.
If you have struggled with unmanageable frizz, lackluster shine, or hair that seems to hold onto water like a sponge, you have likely heard whispers about this product. It is a cult classic for a reason. But does it actually live up to the hype decades after its release? I decided to put it to the ultimate test to see if this silicone-based serum is still the heavyweight champion of smoothing or just a relic of the past.
My Experience With Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
I picked up the 5.1 oz bottle, which felt surprisingly heavy and substantial.
The first thing that hit me when I pumped a small amount into my hand was the scent.
It is iconic—a vibrant, juicy aroma that smells like a mix of crisp apples and sweet berries.
It is definitely not subtle, so if you are sensitive to fragrance, this might be a pause point for you.
Personally, I found it refreshing and nostalgic, like a high-end salon visit.
The texture is where the “Super Skinny” name starts to make sense.
unlike thick, goopy oils that sit heavily on your palm, this serum is incredibly fluid and lightweight.
It has a slip to it that feels almost watery but with a silky finish. Following the instructions, I applied one pump—yes, just one—to my damp, towel-dried hair, focusing strictly on the mid-lengths and ends before running my hands over the top to tame flyaways.
The drying process was where I saw the real magic. Usually, my hair takes about 25 to 30 minutes to blow dry completely. With the serum, I was done in about 15 minutes. The science behind it claims that the “Super Skinny Complex” displaces water and constricts the hair shaft, and honestly, I believe it. My hair didn’t just dry faster; it dried smoother. The brush glided through without getting stuck in my usual tangles, and the tension required to get it straight was significantly less.
Once dry, the finish was glass-like. My hair felt sealed and polished, not greasy. However, I did learn a hard lesson during my second week of use. I got a little overzealous and used two and a half pumps, thinking “more is better.” Big mistake. My roots looked oily by noon, and my hair lost its volume. This product demands respect; it is highly concentrated. When used correctly, though, it withstood a rainy Tuesday commute without turning my blowout into a halo of fuzz, which is a massive win in my book.
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Pros Of Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
- Drastically Reduces Drying Time: The most significant selling point of this serum is its ability to get you out of the bathroom faster. The proprietary complex works to push excess water out of the hair shaft while tightening the cuticle. For anyone with thick, porous, or high-density hair that holds onto moisture, this is a game-changer. Cutting your heat exposure time by 30% to 50% not only saves you time in the morning but also saves your hair from unnecessary heat damage over the long run.
- Incredible Humidity Resistance: If you live in a climate where the air is practically soup, you need a sealant, not just a moisturizer. The silicones in this formula (specifically Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone and others) create a microscopic barrier over the hair strand. This barrier prevents moisture from the air from penetrating the shaft and causing it to swell and frizz. In my experience, it holds a blowout style significantly longer in humid weather compared to using just a leave-in conditioner.
- Unbeatable Value Due To Concentration: At first glance, the price tag might seem high for a bottle of hair product. However, because the formula is so concentrated, you use a tiny fraction of what you would use with other brands. A single 5.1 oz bottle can easily last a year or more for someone with medium-length hair who washes a few times a week. When you break down the cost per use, it is actually one of the most economical professional products on the market.
- Versatile Styling Application: While it is primarily designed as a blowout primer for damp hair, it is surprisingly effective as a dry finisher. If you notice flyaways popping up throughout the day or your ends looking a bit crunchy, a tiny drop rubbed between your palms and smoothed over dry hair instantly polishes the look. It adds a high-gloss shine that makes hair look healthy and hydrated without needing to re-wet or re-style.
- Provides A “Slip” That Prevents Breakage: One of the underrated benefits is how much it aids in detangling. By coating the hair shaft, it reduces friction between strands. This means when you are brushing through wet hair or using a round brush during a blowout, there is less mechanical stress on the hair. Less tugging means less breakage, which eventually leads to thicker, healthier-looking ends over time.
Cons Of Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
- Potential For Silicone Buildup: The flip side of those effective silicones is that they are not water-soluble. They adhere to the hair to create that smooth finish, but they can layer up over time if you are not careful. If you use this product every day and only use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo, you might start to notice your hair feeling limp or coated after a few weeks. You absolutely need to incorporate a clarifying shampoo into your routine once or twice a month to “reset” your hair and remove the silicone residue.
- Easy To Overuse And Cause Greasiness: This is not a forgiving product for heavy-handed users. The line between “silky goddess” and “greasy mess” is extremely thin. If you apply it too close to your roots or use just half a pump too much, your hair will look like it hasn’t been washed in days. It requires a learning curve to find the exact dosage for your specific hair density, and mistakes are punished with a flat, oily style that you can’t really fix without washing again.
- Strong Fragrance Can Be Polarizing: While I enjoy the apple-berry scent, it is admittedly synthetic and quite potent. It lingers in the hair for hours after styling. For people who work in fragrance-free environments, have sensitive scalps, or suffer from migraines triggered by strong scents, this could be a dealbreaker. It doesn’t smell “natural” or herbal; it smells like a salon product, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
- Not Ideally Suited For Fine or Thin Hair: If you have very fine, low-density hair, this serum might be too heavy even in small amounts. The weight of the silicones can collapse your natural volume, making your hair look flat and stringy. While it claims to be for all hair types, it is definitely optimized for medium to coarse textures that need the weight and control. Fine-haired users might find it difficult to get the smoothing benefits without sacrificing body.
- Ingredients Are Not “Clean” Beauty Standards: For those who strictly follow the Curly Girl Method or avoid silicones and synthetic fragrances, this product is a hard no. It relies heavily on Cyclotetrasiloxane and other siloxanes to achieve its effects. It is a chemical-based performance product, not a natural, organic treatment. If you are looking for plant-based oils or silicone-free smoothing, this formulation will not align with your ingredient philosophy.
Maintenance Tips For Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
- Master The “Floating” Application Technique: To avoid the dreaded greasy root, do not just slap the product onto your head. Pump one drop into your palm and rub your hands together vigorously until they feel warm. This spreads the product into a thin, even film across your skin. Then, lightly graze your hands over your damp mid-lengths and ends first. Only use whatever microscopic amount is left on your hands to lightly smooth down the hair near your scalp. This ensures distribution without saturation.
- Cocktail With Sculpting Foam For Hold: The serum provides shine and smoothness, but it has zero hold. If you want your blowout to keep its shape for days, mix one pump of Super Skinny Serum with a golf-ball-sized amount of Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam in your hand before applying. The mousse provides the structure and volume, while the serum provides the slip and shine. This cocktail gives you the best of both worlds—bouncy, voluminous hair that is also sleek and frizz-free.
- Clarify Regularly To Maintain Performance: As mentioned in the cons, silicone buildup is the enemy of shine. To keep the serum working effectively, use a clarifying shampoo (like Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two) every 3 to 4 washes. This removes the old layers of product so the fresh serum can adhere properly to the hair shaft. If you notice the serum “stopped working” or your hair feels dry but looks greasy, it is a sign you need to clarify.
- Store Away From Extreme Heat: The bottle warns that the product is flammable, which is common for volatile silicone-based products. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from hot styling tools on your counter. Heat can degrade the fragrance and alter the viscosity of the serum, making it thicker and harder to pump. A cool, dry cabinet is the best place to ensure the product stays fluid and effective for its long shelf life.
- Use On Dry Hair For Static Control: In the winter, static electricity can make hair unmanageable. Keep a travel-sized bottle in your bag. If you notice static halo, rub a tiny drop (less than a pea size) between your fingers and lightly run them over the floating hairs. The weight of the serum neutralizes the static charge instantly without wetting the hair or ruining your style, making it a perfect winter survival tool.
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Comparison with Other Brands
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum vs Biosilk Silk Therapy
Biosilk is arguably the biggest rival in the serum game. The primary difference lies in the ingredients and the finish. Biosilk relies heavily on hydrolyzed silk proteins, which are designed to reconstruct and strengthen the hair while smoothing. This makes Biosilk slightly heavier and stickier in texture compared to the Super Skinny Serum.
If your hair is extremely damaged or brittle, the protein in Biosilk might be beneficial. However, for pure smoothing and drying speed, Paul Mitchell is superior. Paul Mitchell feels lighter and “dries down” more completely, whereas Biosilk can sometimes leave a coated feeling if not blow-dried in thoroughly.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum vs CHI Silk Infusion
CHI Silk Infusion is another protein-rich complex (silk, wheat, and soy proteins). It is known for being very hydrating and penetrating the hair shaft deeper than typical surface serums. The texture of CHI is more oily and viscous than Paul Mitchell.
The key distinction is that CHI is heat-activated and really shines when used with a flat iron to press the product into the hair. Paul Mitchell is a better “blowout primer” aimed at air movement and speed. If you flat iron every single day, CHI might offer more thermal protection benefits. If you just want a faster blow-dry and frizz control, Paul Mitchell is the more efficient choice.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum vs John Frieda Frizz Ease
John Frieda is the drugstore giant that everyone compares high-end serums to. The price point is obviously much lower for John Frieda. However, the consistency is the main differentiator. The classic Frizz Ease formula is extremely thick—almost like a gel-oil hybrid. It is fantastic for very coarse, unruly curls but can be a nightmare for fine or medium hair.
Paul Mitchell spreads much easier and requires less product to cover the same surface area. You are paying for the refined texture and the “water displacement” technology with Paul Mitchell. John Frieda is more of a heavy-duty topcoat. If you are on a budget and have thick wirey hair, John Frieda works, but it lacks the “weightless” finish of the Super Skinny Serum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It primarily smoothes the hair cuticle to reduce frizz and adds a glossy shine. Its unique feature is the “Super Skinny Complex” which displaces water from the hair shaft, significantly reducing the time it takes to blow-dry your hair. It also acts as a humidity-resistant barrier to keep styles sleek in damp weather.
The best method is to start with one single pump. Rub it between your palms to warm it up and distribute it evenly. Apply it to clean, damp hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the mid-shaft. Avoid applying it directly to the roots. Proceed to blow-dry your hair for the smoothing effects to activate.
Yes, absolutely. While it is designed as a prep product for damp hair, it works excellently as a finisher. Use a very small amount (half a pump or less) on dry hair to tame static, smooth down flyaways, or add a final boost of shine to dull ends.
The Serum is a clear, oil-like fluid focused on shine, drying speed, and frizz control for all hair types. The Relaxing Balm is a creamy, lotion-like styling product specifically designed to weigh down and “relax” curly or wavy hair for a straighter look. The Balm provides more hold and control for straightening, while the Serum provides slip and gloss. They are often used together for maximum sleekness.
Conclusion
After years of use and rigorous testing, I can confidently say that Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is worth every penny, provided you have the right hair type. It is not a magic potion for volume-seekers or those with ultra-fine hair, but for anyone battling frizz, thick textures, or agonizingly long drying times, it remains the gold standard. The bottle lasts forever, the results are consistent, and the time you save in the morning is invaluable. If you are ready to reclaim your mornings and achieve that glass-like salon finish at home, this serum belongs in your arsenal.