My skin-care routine may be six or seven products long, but when it comes to doing my hair, I’m lucky if I work in a brush before leaving the house. I truly cannot be bothered with heat-styling—it’s far too damaging on my fine, color-treated hair.

Instead, I’ll shower at night, braid my long hair into a single, tight plait, and then hope to the silk pillowcase gods that my strands are smooth and my cowlick is controlled come morning. But sometimes, the gods leave me on Read, and I’m forced to take the flyways into my own hands.

Good thing the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is so easy to use. The silky elixir—swarmed with smoothing silicones and sweet notes of apple and berries—curbs static in literal seconds (my hero!).

Although you don’t need to, I like to warm it before finger-combing it through strands. (I use about a dime- to nickel-size amount, depending on the severity of the distraught.) This also ensures I’m not rubbing gobs into sections of my hair, and that it’s evenly distributed. Whether I pull my hair back or keep it down with a slight wave (remember, from the braid?), the effect is universal: a sleek, shiny finish.

You can find the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, along with other editor-loved products, in the January Allure Beauty Box.