Unholy Silicone Monsters... Please help!
... I'm talking about swim caps. (What did you think?)
I've never put one on and my gym's pool requires them. I am horrified and convinced I'm going to spend half an hour wrestling with the wretched thing, rip out half of my hair, and probably end up on youtube or something.
People experienced with these atrocities please give me a play by play tutorial. Leave nothing out -- I have never even seen someone put one on, so no detail is too obvious. For instance - do you wet the hair first? Do the goggles go on the outside or the inside?
My hair is layered and past the shoulders, meaning the ponytail doesn't hold all of the pieces. Your guidance is greatly greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Cordie
I never have wet my hair but I do wet the cap (inside and out). I pretty much just pull it on at the crown and stretch around to the nape of my neck and then tuck the hair up into it with 1 hand. The other I have kinda holding the cap stretched. Sounds funky but it works for me! I put the goggle straps outside since mine are rubber and ouch does that hurt when hair gets tangled on it!!
First of all, great that you're using silicone! Latex caps are cheaper, but wear out faster and also have this great tendency to rip out all of your hair.
I never start out wetting my hair, just putting it in a bun and using hair clips to get my bangs out of the way. Wet your cap and place the front part on your forehead, making sure its secure on your skin, then use both hands to pull it back over the rest of your hair. It might actually help to have a friend help you the first few times so you get an idea of what it's supposed to feel like.
I always put my goggles on the outside too, just a matter of preference really. Also so I can take them off easily if they're too tight. Hope this helps!
Lycra caps work well.
Definitely dip the cap in the pool water to wet it inside and out (as suggested by the others). I too have very long hair (to my waist), so it's imperative for me to have my hair in a french braid before I actually put the cap on. If I tie it in a bun, there is no way I will be able to get the cap over it. Anyways, you might not have a problem with this since your hair is shorter than mine. Also, you might want to refrain from using any sharp hair clips as this can shorten the life span of your cap. And personally, if I were to use a Lycra cap as suggested above, I swear my hair would weigh like 15 pounds extra as it tends to soak in the water. It also slows you down, and if you are a speed swimmer like I am then time matters more than comfort. You will get used to the 'tight' feeling on your head after a while.
