Tag Archives: hair tools

Aug29

Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap

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As some of you know, I have been using a Hair Therapy Thermal Turban Heat Wrap for several years now with great success. However, a few months ago I saw posts from my curlfriends and fellow bloggers, RadiantBrownBeauty and AHairStory, about the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap. I loved the look of the cap and both Michelle and Rece had positive reviews. So, needless to say, I was intrigued.

Therefore, a couple of weeks ago, I reached out to the creator of Hot Heads and Etsy shop owner, Sandra, to see if she would send me a cap to review. She graciously obliged and I got a chance to try out my new cap this past weekend.

But first, the deets.

via Hot Head:

The Hot Head heat cap is filled with renewable flax seed which will generate heat when warmed in the microwave. It’s reusable and is the most environmentally friendly way to deep condition your hair with heat at home. There is no need to plug it into an outlet or use batteries to power the heat. With a few minutes in the microwave, Hot Head will produce up to 30-45 minutes of gentle moist heat. The fact that there are no cords and no plugs means that you are free to move about while deep conditioning your hair.

Hot Head is available in multiple styles and is also reversible so that your look can fit your mood. When using Hot Head you can feel good about the way you look while conditioning your hair, and dramatically improve the results of your hair treatment.

MY REVIEW

As I said above, I used the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap this weekend. Actually, I used it twice. Because, after 3 weeks of not washing this mane (pregnancy fatigue definitely has me doing the least when it comes to hair), my strands desperately needed some TLC. Therefore, I used it for a pre-poo treatment, as well as for deep conditioning after I washed my hair. What did I think overall and how does it compare to the Thermal Turban Wrap?

Packaging: No frills and functional. As this is a smaller Etsy company, that is totally fine with me. I prefer not to spend my money on expensive packaging and cheap ingredients, though I know some appreciate “shelf appeal.” The most important thing was that the cap was accompanied with detailed and simple instructions (plastic caps sold separately). THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: The wrap came packaged in a large, nice box that I still use to store it. It also included two plastic caps some free hair product samples. 

Appearance: I love that the cap is reversible and has a solid terry side and a patterned fabric one. I’m all about animal prints and zebra is in my top three (after cheetah/leopard and giraffe). The cap comes in a variety of prints and colors, so there’s something for everyone! I also like the “quilting” that looks like a big daisy! Very cute! THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: The wrap is made with terry, non-reversible, and only comes in two colors, brown and white. The cap that I have has a tail at the back that you twist and secure to the front with velcro. But, there seem to be other versions that secure in different locations.

Construction/Durability: As I’ve only used the cap one day, I can’t speak to the long-term durability. However, it looks very well-constructed and strong. It is actually a little weighty, in a good way, because of the flax seeds. The fabric on the patterned side appears of good, strong quality and leads me to believe that it will not rip anytime soon. Terry can start to bead, get ratty, and pick up lint, especially with a thicker pile. But, I think that as long as I keep it stored away from other fabrics, it’ll likely be fine. The instructions on the site indicate that a lint brush can be used to remove excess lint, so that is simple enough. And, I also have one of those fabric “defuzzers” that I can use if it becomes too beady. So, not too worried about that. As to cleaning, I haven’t had to do that yet, obviously. But, the site says to just spot clean with warm water and a mild detergent. Seems simple enough. Finally, again, I can’t speak to long-term use of the cap, but I would expect that flax seeds truly are a sustainable source of heat and the cap will heat effectively for years to come. THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: I have had the cap for almost 4 years and, though the heat packs that insert into it seem to have deflated somewhat, it still works effectively. I was initially concerned that the heat packs might burst because they make a popping sound when heated, but to date they have not! The cap is made of a short pile terry, so it really hasn’t attracted much lint nor beaded in an appreciable way. And, though I use it to henna, I have done minimal spot cleaning. But, because the gel packs can be removed, the wrap can be thrown in the wash on the gentle cycle and air dried.

Content: Right off the jump I loved the idea that the Hot Head Heat Cap works via a sustainable and natural heat source. I don’t follow a strictly organic/natural lifestyle. However, I do like to be conscious of the products I use and the foods that I eat. Therefore, I try to incorporate organic and all-natural products to the extent that I can find them conveniently and affordably. This allows me to reduce my exposure to products formulated or treated with artificial or potentially harmful chemicals. So, the fact that the Hot Head uses flax seeds as the heat source is awesome to me! (Is there no limit to the wonders of flax seeds?!?!) THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: Gel packs are the heat source for this cap. I couldn’t tell you what’s in them, but I’m 99.9% sure that it is not natural and is some type of artificial chemical.

Ease of Use: Using this cap was as simple as throwing it in my microwave (with a rotating tray) for one minute on one side, flipping it inside out and microwaving for another minute. Then, I just donned a plastic cap prior to putting on the Hot Head Cap. If your microwave does not have a rotating tray, the instructions do indicate that it should be rotated at the 30 second mark on each side. I was concerned that the cap might be too small to fit all of my hair, due to my length, not thickness. But, I had no problem at all. Of course, I love that I can be mobile with this cap and do stuff around the house while DC’ing. THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: The wrap only takes 45 seconds to heat and, aside from the initial challenge of getting the gel packs into the wrap and getting it to lay flat, it is very easy to heat. As to putting it on, it is a little trickier to get it tight enough and secure the velcro in the right place. But, it is still pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. I also have no problem fitting all of my hair under it. And again, since the wrap is cordless, my movements are not limited while I’m DC’ing.

hothead3After heating

Effectiveness: I found that the cap reached an appropriate temperature (not too hot, nor too cool) following the instructions. You could see the “moist” heat it generated as the cap became slightly damp in some areas after microwaving it. I also found that it stayed warm (not hot) for about 45 minutes, which is what I would have expected. The cap felt like it warmed evenly in the flax seed “pockets.” However, I could feel that the areas without the flax seeds were cooler. As the heat is still “contained” to the head by the cap, I don’t know if that would make one part of the hair more conditioned than the other. However, I did want to note that. THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: The wrap heats evenly, but it can get very hot. So the instructions indicate that it should be left to cool for 30 seconds prior to using it. I find that my cap stays hot to warm for 45 minutes to an hour and the heat feels uniform over my head. I usually heat it 2-3 times for a henna treatment, with consistent results. 

Pricing: The Hot Head Cap is $29.95 plus $6.50 USD shipping (plastic caps sold separately). So, it’s not cheap, but it’s not crazy expensive either. I am definitely a frugal person and won’t give up my money without some thought. However, given that I tend to deep condition with heat weekly and henna with heat every couple of months, the mileage I will put on this heat cap would definitely justify the cost (reminder: this cap was gifted though).  THERMAL TURBAN WRAP: The wrap is $21.95 on CurlMart.com, but I paid $16.47 for it because I had a 25% discount code at the time. As I write this, the cap is not available there though. It is available on DermStore.com for $29.99 with free shipping. It seems like it can also be found on eBay, Amazon, HairEnvy, and a few other sites for prices in the the $27-$32 range. Again, for me, the price is worth it because of how frequently I use the wrap.

Conclusions: I LOVE the Hot Head Heat Cap. In most ways, it is very comparable to the Thermal Turban Wrap. The quicker heat time and more uniform heat distribution of the Wrap are bonuses for it. However, the wider variety of patterns/colors, reversibility, simplicity of wearing, and, most importantly, the use of flax seeds as a natural and sustainable heat source, gives the Hot Head Cap the leg up in my opinion. So, I’ll definitely be using the Hot Head Cap going forward and will update you guys on whether it holds up for the long haul!

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 Have you tried the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap? If so, how do you like it?

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Jul30

Something New: A Shampoo Brush

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As you know from my post yesterday, I pre-pooed with a mix of Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose conditioner and Vatika Oil from Saturday into Sunday. On Sunday night, after finishing cleaning the house (with the exception of the dishes, because Wei always says he loves washing dishes, so I didn’t want to steal his joy;)), I hit the shower and shampooed. It had been a while since I clarified and I debated between Ion Curl Defining Shampoo, a sulfated, yet moisturizing shampoo, and the unopened bottle of Lavender Garden Terressentials Mud Wash under my sink. The Ion shampoo won and I diluted it in water before applying.

After shampooing, I used Herbal Essences Hello Hydration to finger detangle under the shower stream. Now, this is where the something new comes in.

I picked up this shampoo brush at Sally’s for $0.99 about a year and a half ago. I very rarely use it, but Wei gives it a work-out! *lol* Well, I’ve been getting a lot of tight, little knots caused by shed hairs. I’ve had to resort to the scissors at least once every wash day the last month or so. That got me to thinking that finger detangling hasn’t been sufficient lately. And, I’ve read of some who finger detangle first and then use a wide-tooth comb, Denman brush, Tangle Teezer, etc. to finish the job. So, I decided to use the shampoo brush to comb through my hair as a final step before rinsing my conditioner. Yup, I used the shampoo brush!

You see, when the Tangle Teezer (TT) was the craze early last year, someone wrote that this cheap little shampoo brush was just as good, if not better. If I remember correctly, they said that this was because the teeth on the shampoo brush aren’t as sharp as the TT and it they don’t have seams.

So, anywho, after doing a thorough finger detangling, I took the shampoo brush in the palm of my right hand and the ends of my hair in the left. Then, I slowly combed through my hair, working up from the ends to the roots. If I met any resistance as combing, I stopped to remove the “obstruction” with my fingers, then resumed combing. The brush really glided very easily through my hair when it was fully saturated with conditioner and I allowed the water stream to flow over it. It also made my curls clump nicely. But, I don’t know if I’ll use the shampoo brush every wash day. Maybe every other. And, I’ll be keeping an eye on my ends as I used the TT for a hot minute after a big “trim” and noticed an inordinate amount of splits almost immediately. So, if that happens, I’ll stop using it immediately.

Back to wash day. To finish, I applied Aubrey Green Tea Rinse directly over the HE HH and rinsed with cool water. Then, I set my hair in six braids for a braid out with Wonder Curl Get Slick Smoothie and Butter Than Love Pudding, using the shampoo brush again to evenly distribute the products through my hair.

As it was about 8 pm by this time, I knew that there was no way that my hair would dry overnight. So, I decided to finally take the Salon Dryer on Wheels, which I got over 2 months ago, on a test drive!!

I realized pretty quickly that I needed to do something with those hanging braids if I wanted more than my scalp to dry! So, I secured them across and against my head with large bobby pins.

So far so good! The dryer is pretty loud though and I used the timer, which sounds like a ticking time bomb. But, it seemed to be doing a decent job of getting my hair dry. I sat under it for about an hour. My hair didn’t dry entirely, but I’m hoping that it will finish drying overnight *fingers crossed*. I’m writing this post Sunday night, so I’ll have to comb back with the final results later! Sorry for the delayed gratification!! But, I’m sure you’ve been there before ;).

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If you finger detangle, do you use a comb or brush as a final step? What hair tool works best for you (wide-tooth comb, Denman, Ouided Double Detangler, etc.)?
Jul23

Waste Not, Want Not!

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Oh yeah, I told you that this is how I get down ;)!! *lol* So, I mentioned in the post earlier today that I pre-pooed with a combo of Aubrey GPB and Honeysuckle Rose conditioners mixed with Vatika oil. And, although I have new bottles of both under the sink (‘cuz you know I always have my HGs and staples “in stock” :)), I also had open bottles of each. The thing is, neither had enough product in the container to shake out. Enter the butcher’s knife! I’ll cut open a bottle in a minute! You see how much was in there?!?! Bump that!!

But guess what? There may be a better way that’s still pretty economical!! When I posted this pic on my Hairscapades FB page with the caption, “I’m getting ALL of my conditioner” (btw, 128 ladies have liked this pic so far! LOVE it!! *LOL*), Tiffany Divalocks wrote:

I will be doing the same thing when mine is low, I was just thinking of that when I used this same conditioner today on my daughter’s hair. You know they sell these things called beauty spoons and you stick it in the bottle and scoop out the product that you can’t reach.

Beauty Spoons?? Who said what now? You know that I immediately went on the hunt! Well, I found the tool and site immediately … because they are both called, Beauty Spoon!

Ummmm, so yeah, it’s already done. I placed my order within an hour of learning about the tool. The spoons are $9.99 for a set of two (7″ and 10″) and shipping is FREE (that’s what sold me). Also, for a limited time, you can get two 1 oz. “Beauty Bowls” with every order.

So, stay tuned for the full review coming soon … *looking around for an almost empty bottle of product*.

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How do you make certain that you get your money’s worth out of your products? Have you tried the Beauty Spoon?

Jun15

Heat Therapy Wrap Giveaway Winner

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And the winner of the Hair Therapy Wrap Giveaway is …

mrskarahill

Congratulations lady!! Shoot an e-mail to me at hairscapades@gmail.com with your full name and mailing address and the folks over at Hair Therapy Wrap will get your turban in the mail to you post haste!

Jun5

Hair Therapy Wrap Review and Giveaway *CLOSED*

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It hit me the other day, as I was “baking” a henna treatment, that … “I never reviewed the Hair Therapy Wrap!” So, in order to rectify this oversight, here goes ;)!

As you know, I am a frequent pre-pooer, deep conditioner and a henna head. Because I feel like it enhances the results I get from the products, I like to use heat to intensify all of these treatments. However, given the frequency with which I do all of these things (weekly) and the length of time I like to use heat (an hour minimum), it would be really inconvenient to be immobilized by a dryer that has to be plugged into a socket. Enter the Cordless Thermal Turban Heat Wrap by Hair Therapy Wrap. I first read about it from … guess who? You got it! Curly Nikki! *LOL* She often mentioned that she used a hair therapy wrap that she loved. However, it wasn’t until last fall that I finally decided to order one.

Price, Design and Packaging
I decided to order the Heat Wrap from CurlMart, where it was $21.95. However, I used a 25% discount code and only paid $16.47 for it. I’ve searched a few other places online, like the manufacturers site and Amazon, and CurlMart appears to have them all beat by about $4-7.

The Wrap is shipped in a box with instructions on the sides, as well as an additional set printed on an insert inside the box. It also included two plastic caps. The Wrap comes in two colors, brown and white. Of course I ordered the brown, as white quickly and easily gets dingy and dirty without any help. With henna and indigo treatments, it wouldn’t have stood a chance!

The Wrap itself is made of 100% polyester and is a very soft, terry cloth-like material. It has three pockets, one that goes from the front over the top and one on each of the other two sides. These pockets are for the heatable and reusable gel packs that must be inserted.

How to Use
It is very important to read and follow the precise instructions provided or risk bursting the gel packs.

Note: The gel packs may also be heated separately in water on the stove top, if you prefer that over the microwave. Instructions for that method are provided on the package and insert. Following are the instructions for using the microwave method.

  • First, you insert the gel packs into the pockets on the Wrap.
  • Though they are creased and shaped to fit into the pockets, the gel packs were a little challenging to insert into the hood the first time as they seemed a little too large. But, they did fit. They just poked out of the edges a little after I closed the openings of the pockets with the velcro.
  • Next, you have to place the wrap into the microwave laying flat. Again, this was a little awkward as the hood naturally peaks and sits up once the gel packs are in it. But, I just mushed down the center and it collapsed well enough.

Never heat the gel packs outside of the cap.

  • Once placed flatly in the microwave, I warmed the Wrap for 45 seconds on high, which is the maximum time the wrap should be heated in any one interval.
  • After allowing it to stand for 30 seconds, if the Wrap isn’t warn enough, it can be heated for an additional 10-15 seconds until the desired temperature is achieved. However, it should never be heated longer than 80 seconds total. I heated it an additional 10 seconds. I find that 55-60 is the max time that I need to reach the temp that I like.
  • Then, I don a plastic cap and fit the Wrap with the “tail” at the back of my head.
  • Finally, in order to secure the Wrap, you twist the tail and bring it to the front of the head, securing the end to the velcro in the front.


Final Review
And that’s it!! The Wrap is very easy to use once you get those gel packs into it. Once they are in, you can leave them there. No need to take them out with each use. I just fold the Wrap and store it in its box under my sink! I’ve been using the Wrap for a good 6 months now with great success and no problems. The packaging indicates a one time heating is good for about 30 minutes, but I get close to 45 minutes of “thermal action.” I tend to only heat the Wrap once for a deep conditioning or pre-pooing session. When doing a henna/indigo session, I heat 2-5 times as I like to add heat for 2-4 hours of the 4 hours that I process the henna and another hour for indigo.

I find the wrap to be an effective, comfortable and convenient way to add heat to my different treatments. I am able to clean house (yeah, ‘cuz that’s what I’m doing with my freedom ;)) or do whatever as I’m able to move about freely. Shoot, if you saw my Tweet last week, you know I drove to work with the Wrap over my post emergency-henna, deep conditioning treatment!! LOL!! The fabric of the wrap is soft and, despite the fact that I’ve used it with henna several times, has yet to get stained! But, if it did, it’s machine washable! Cha-ching! Just make sure you remove those gel packs before throwing it in with the dirty laundry!

So overall, I really like this wrap. My only challenges were getting the gel packs in the first time and figuring out how to make it lay flat. It can also get very hot and form heat pockets, but that is why it is very important to follow the instructions provided and to use it judiciously. Other than that, it’s been a breeze to use. My one concern with the product was the apparent inability to purchase replacement/back-up gel packs. I looked around the site and couldn’t find them for sale, though I found comments on a forum that the company had quickly and without hesitation sent replacements packs to someone who burst them due to a failure to follow the instructions.

My concern, of course, was what would happen if any of the gel packs burst after extended use. The site indicates that they are good for years of use and are guaranteed or will be replaced for free. But, I always like to have a back-up plan and would be annoyed if my gel packs burst in the middle of a henna session. And, what if, horror of horror, the product gets discontinued? Then I’d be “ish” out of luck!! So, I reached out to the company via e-mail to inquire as whether I could order additional gel packs. I received the following reply:

We thank you for your kind words about our products.

We currently do not sell replacements gel pack.
However, with your kind feed back (sic) we will start carrying them in the near future.
We’re projecting that we will have replacement gel pack towards late summer this year.

Again, we thank you for your kind words and suggestion.

Now how frickin’ awesome is that?!?! So, looks like HairTherapyWrap.com will make the replacement gel packs available very soon!! Now THAT is what I call Customer Service! This experience with the company definitely solidified my positive view of their product and ability to service their customer.

In conclusion, would I recommend the Thermal Turban Heat Wrap? ABSOLUTELY!! If you are a frequent user of heat for various hair treatments, pre-pooing, deep conditioning, henna, dye, bagging, the “greenhouse effect,” etc. and want something more convenient than a bonnet dryer, but with a little more heat than a winter hat, than this may be the Wrap for you!!

BONUS: Hair Therapy Wrap Giveaway!!
So, guess what? When I reached out to the company, they offered me a giveaway for you guys!! So, want to get your hands on a Thermal Turban Heat Wrap? All you have to do is any one or more of the following:

  • Subscribe to the blog;
  • Like Hairscapades on Facebook; and/or
  • Follow Hairscapades on Twitter.

Then,

  • Comment on this post with which one you did and with why you need, you want, you have to have this Wrap ;)!!

All subscribers, old and new, are eligible. Just make certain to comment below!! The giveaway ends Saturday, June 9th and a winner will be selected at random the following week!

GOOD LUCK!!

Mar20

Goody Goodies!!

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Back in February, I did a post about the Goody So Smooth 2-in-1 Brush, which I’d purchased many years ago. I really liked it, but it had been discontinued. So, I “dug around” and tracked down a seller on eBay who had a few. After purchasing a back-up for myself 😉 and receiving a confirmation e-mail that it was shipping the next day, I told the seller (David) about Hairscapades and the post. He advised me that several of the brushes sold within minutes of the post publishing and all but one sold by the end of the week!!

David then advised me that he carries a lot of Goody items, including discontued merchandise, and was willing to offer my readers a 10% discount on any of his listings!  He simply asked to be contacted via e-mail for direct sale and that you mention “Hairscapades!”

So, if you’ve been looking for hair tools and accessories, like the satin pillow soft rollers pictured above, Comfort Flex barrettes, Ouchless ponytail holders or any other other Goody item, check out David’s Ebay shop: num25bers. If you see something you want, e-mail David at dstein3078@aol.com with the item(s) and let him know that you learned about his store on Hairscapades and he’ll take it from there!

Here are a few items that David currently has available.

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HAPPY SHOPPING!!

Mar14

I’m in Love with a … Steamer

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by M of Hair and Other Stuff

Anyone who follows this blog knows I have a major problem with dryness. I was at the point where I was seriously considering another big chop. I figured out the low porosity hair thing which was an aha moment. I started using my hair therapy wrap (indirect heat) to DC & it helped a little  but my hair was still dry.

A friend recommended a steamer and offered to let me try hers. I co-washed my hair and left conditioner in it. She set up the steamer and I sat under it for an hour. My hair felt a little softer but it  didn’t seem like a big difference to me. I was still feeling meh about getting the steamer until Tuesday.  I washed my hair and used Yes to Carrots condish. It was either the Yes to Carrots, the steamer or both but after 2 minutes of YTC on my hair,  it was BUTTA soft! The tangles were just melting away and my hair felt so moisturized.

I set my hair on Curlformers and even as my hair began to dry it was  still so soft and virtually tangle free! I almost teared up. I never have a near tangle free hair session. I will buy every bottle off that shelf if this stuff truly works like that! I’m ’bout to dig up pennies form the couch or something because I NEED to have a steamer! I think I’m gonna invest in one and keep using the YTC for a few weeks to see if it really make s a difference. I’m so excited y’all, this could change my whole hair game … PUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for the  final word!

Some pictures of the process:

Freshly washed with V05 left in as a DC.
Before the steamer session.
Things were heatin’ up! And I was looking just as cray … smh.
After co-washing 3 days later. I know it’s twisted but can you see the difference? I can!
Hair feels a little heavier, softer, lays better and has less tangles. Better in every way.

Now I have to actually purchase my own :-(.

~M

♥

Do you have any steamer success stories? Please feel free to share! 


Feb26

Goody So Smooth 2-in-1 Brush/Comb

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This is just a quick post to share a handy dandy little hair tool that I’ve had for several years, the Goody So Smooth 2-in-1 Brush/Comb. I unearthed it this past week by accident when I was looking for my rattail comb. I’ve been using it to smooth the edges of my pressed hair when wearing buns and ponytails and before tying it down at night (unfortunately, hand smoothing, even with product, never works too well for me). It’s a brush with one row of bristles and, within each bunch of bristles, there is a tooth comb. So, it’s like a comb nestled within a brush!

I picked this up from a Walmart several years ago and have also used it on my curly hair when I need to lightly smooth my edges. I love this brush/comb! Amazingly, it manages to smooth out the surface “hair lumps” that ruin a “sleek” look, without snagging or tearing my hair. I don’t use it to brush/comb through my entire head or try to get down to the roots when my hair is in its natural state. It really just allows me to get the surface of my hair smooth enough to look neat in a bun, ponytail or updo.

Unfortunately, Goody doesn’t make the So Smooth Brush/Comb anymore, so you can’t find it in stores. However, you know I wouldn’t tell you about this and then leave you hanging! I did a little searching and eBay has quite a few of these brushes on sale, if you’re interested. Being the hoarder that I am, I already ordered a back-up from eBay here ($7.17 w/free shipping). This seller has a “more than 10” available.

However, if you don’t get to this shop before it sells out, my search results here turned up several other listings for the handled version of this brush.

I did find one other seller of the full brush here. However, this item is for a lot of 6 brushes for $24.99. So, ya know, if you wanna hook up your friends, this may be the deal for you. Otherwise, you’ll have a lot of back-ups!

Enjoy!

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 What do you use when you want smooth edges ?

Feb15

My Holy Grail Shower Cap: Terry-Lined

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Tips and Tricks Number Seventeen

Now, I know that the steam from the shower is the friend of many a WnG type of gal. However, when you are rocking a TnC, a sleek bun, a smooth updo, a press and curl or what have you, humidity can feel more like the enemy and the shower cap your first line of defense! That’s not just me, right??

Well, unfortunately my first line of defense has failed me for most of my life. For years I searched for a shower cap that REALLY sealed out steam and water. My hair has always *POOFED* at the slightest hint of humidity (think Izzy’s Got the Frizzies, but not as cute!). And maybe I just don’t shower right, but my edges ALWAYS seem to get wet, even when I tie a scarf around them, wear a satin bonnet, don one or two plastic baggies and THEN add a shower cap with a thick headband around the edges to “seal” it. Are you frickin’ kidding me?!?

So, a few months ago, I shared a post by another blogger about shower caps (read it here). She had discovered a company, Celestial Soul, that sells shower “crowns” in sizes ranging from mini (for the TWA) to Extra Large (for the BAA). On that post, I talked about my personal struggles with shower caps always falling short. Up until that point, I’d had the most success with this $6.95 Betty Dain Fashionista shower cap that I found at Harmon for $6.95 (it’s also available at Sally’s and Amazon).

It was roomy enough for my banana clip bun or pineappled TnC and the two elastic bands seemed to provide a double barrier against shower steam. However, wet edges were still inevitable. Then, someone commented:

I have always had the exact same issue with shower caps. Fed up, I did some intense googling a couple months ago and finally came to the conclusion that I needed a terry lined cap … I found one at CVS for $4 and, believe it or not, that is the answer! It’s plenty big (I have a LOT of hair); I can even keep my hair clipped on top of my head. Somehow the terry cloth absorbs any moisture before it gets to your hairline. Try it! I promise, that’s the trick.

So, about a month or so ago, I finally got around to taking the advice and picked up the Betty Dain Socialite terry-lined shower cap shown far above (don’t you just love an animal print? Grrrrrr! ;)). The cap is lined in a soft, cream terry cloth material.

 O … M … G!!! Where have you been all of my life Socialite?!?! I finally found my holy grail shower cap!! I’ve been using this cap for over a month now and it has proven itself over and over again. I just pop this baby over my satin scarf and/or bonnet and it keeps my edges smooth and dry, even when I linger in the shower a little too long or accidentally allow the water to cascade down the nape of my neck!! The proof is in the pudding. I got my hair pressed this past Friday, haven’t used any heat since and my “do” is even sleeker than it was when it was first flat-ironed!

Final Tip:
Oh, and when my natural hair is a little too big to allow this cap to cover my edges, I figured out another way to utilize terry cloth to preserve my style. I just grab the Turbie Twist Hair Towel, secure it over my bonnet and then pop on the larger Fashionista shower cap! This combo works as well as the terry-lined cap to absorb the steam and water so that my edges stay dry and my style stays frizz free (well, you know, relatively speaking ;))!

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Do you use a shower cap? If so, what kind works for you?