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When you think about taking a bath, you probably think of all the fancy bath accessories, like scented shower gels or fancy bath bombs. I bet you haven’t thought about another less-exciting bath essential: a shower cap. But the best shower caps will help you keep that hairstyle you spent hours (or a ton of money) maintaining while protecting it from the humidity and dampness of the shower.
translate? Your hair will be less frizzy, and just think how much time you’ll save by not having to brush your hair after a shower!
Washing your hair every day strips it of some of its beneficial oils, so a shower cap is the best way to keep your hair dry until your next wash. When you think of shower caps, you probably think of something your grandma used to wear, but shower caps are trendier than ever (I promise!).
But as my grandma said, facts speak louder than words. Next, find tried-and-true, highly rated, and even stylish shower caps you can buy right now.
Kitsch shower caps come in the cutest prints, like this pale pink floral, and are designed to fit most head shapes and hair lengths. The elastic band is comfortable and stretchy, so the cap won’t feel too tight when worn.
Rave review: “I really like how thick this hat is and that it has an elastic band in the back so it has a lot of stretch but still holds my hair together without being too tight.”
Have you ever tried to put on a shower cap and been disappointed when it slipped out of place, leaving your child’s hair wet and frizzy? With the Shhhower Cap, you’ll never have that problem again. It features a non-slip silicone grip that keeps it securely in place and keeps the hairline dry.
Rave review: “I know it’s expensive, but it’s worth it. It’s the last thing you buy. It’s durable, fits perfectly, and stays clean.”
If you need a comfortable shower cap, this series is what you need. It consists of two layers and is designed to keep your hair dry and waterproof. Plus, four shower caps cost less than $12, which is a bargain if you don’t plan on wearing them every day. The small size makes it perfect for those with short hair.
Rave review: “I’ve been guilty of using cheap, flimsy plastic shower caps that have long since lost their elasticity. I finally decided to treat myself to some nice ones, and here they are! They feel luxurious and cover all my hair.”
If you have long hair, you’ll love this more traditional shower cap. It’s roomy enough to accommodate thick, long hair. Plus, this inexpensive shower cap comes in a variety of cute prints.
Rave review: “This shower cap is absolutely amazing! I’ve never been able to find a shower cap that covers all my hair and stays in place, but this is the best!”
If you’ve ever struggled to fit braids or other complicated hairstyles into a shower cap, this is your solution. This spacious shower cap is comfortable for all hair types and hairstyles and features an adjustable drawstring so you can customize it to your personal size.
Rave reviews: “My daughter has very thick braids that go all the way down to her waist. She has 4C hair, which means she has a lot of braids! When all of her hair is tied up, her ponytail is about 7 inches in diameter. We used to use large plastic bags to cover her hair because we didn’t have any that fit, but it wasn’t ideal. I bought her this one and she loves it. She can put it on herself and it keeps her hair up and down her back, making it easy to comb through. It’s easy to use, dries quickly, keeps her hair dry and out of the way.”
If you want to make a smart and eco-friendly purchasing decision, this shower cap is the one for you. It’s made from recycled materials, organic cotton, and even comes with a reusable case for travel and storage.
Rave review: “I bought this product because it does a really good job of keeping my hair dry and it’s soft and doesn’t really feel like plastic. It can be used multiple times in the shower.”
If you’re ready to take full advantage of a deep conditioner, you’ll need to have a heating cap in your beauty cabinet. The heat helps the conditioner penetrate your hair follicles. Simply pop the shower cap in the microwave for about a minute to provide your hair with gentle heat for 30 minutes.
Rave review: “Love it! It’s so much more convenient than using a hooded blow dryer because I can walk around with it on my head. I’m a busy mom, so this is perfect for me because it’s hard to find time to deep condition once a week.”
This is a silk pillowcase for a shower cap. The soft satin lining ensures that your hair does not come into contact with rough surfaces while you are putting it away, preventing breakage and damage. The shower cap also has an adjustable drawstring that allows you to loosen or tighten it for the perfect fit.
Rave reviews: “Gone are the days of using those silly little plastic conditioners and reapplying them! This conditioner keeps my hair dry and manageable! The black silk goes so well with the purple.”
If your skin is intolerant to latex, the Grace & Company shower cap is made from latex-free, breathable, and durable fabric that keeps your hair dry without causing sweating. The shower cap also features an adjustable strap to tighten it up.
Rave review: “This hat is amazing. Keeps my long hair dry. I can even cover my ears and listen to podcasts in the shower. No water gets in. I’m so grateful – I have eczema around my hairline so I can’t wash my hair too often. I’m planning on buying another one so when one gets wet and dries out, I have a dry spare hat.”
This three-piece set allows you to keep one shower cap at home, one on the go, and have a spare in case you need a shower cap for other tasks like cooking or cleaning. The Goody Shower Cap fits most hair sizes without feeling too tight on your head.
Rave reviews: “I’ve been using these simple but durable shower caps for years. They’re big enough, but not that fluffy thing that drives me crazy. After all, I only need them for bathing, no frills, and they do the job.”
There’s no rule that says you can only wear a shower cap in the shower. Need to run an errand in the rain? Wear one to protect your hair from getting wet. The bow and cute print make it a stylish choice for wearing out and about.
Rave review: “This shower cap is so cute and gives me a retro island feel! I felt so stylish I forgot I even had it on haha. It holds my hair in place and I don’t have to worry about getting anything wet, so it works great!”
Straight from one of our favorite hair-drying salons, we brought back a terry shower cap that effectively locks out moisture, but still has a comfortable elastic band on a cotton lining. While not overly fluffy, it’s roomy enough to hold even long hair securely.
Rave review: “I really, really like this shower cap. I don’t wash my hair every day, and I think this cap with the terry lining keeps my hair from getting wet in the shower. It really does the job and doesn’t leave an irritating residue on my forehead. It’s worth the money!”
Bath time can be boring, but this fun shower cap (who knew shower caps could be fun) is sure to keep you entertained. But it’s not just cute and silly. This waterproof shower cap does a great job of keeping moisture out and keeping your style in check.
Rave reviews: “It’s so comfortable! It doesn’t squeeze my head too much and it keeps all my hair in place while I shower! Plus it’s so cute!!”
Shower caps are primarily used to keep your hair dry in humid environments, such as while showering. This locks in moisture and prevents frizz, thereby maintaining your hair’s style. You can also use a shower cap for deep conditioning or to keep your hair dry in other settings, such as a sauna.
When buying a shower cap, you should consider the size you want. Do you have long hair, short hair, or a hairstyle that requires more space? Thinking about the answer will help you narrow down your choice, as shower caps come in different sizes.
You want to make sure that the wig you buy fits snugly against your hair so that water or moisture can’t seep in and ruin your hairstyle. But you also don’t want something so tight that it’s uncomfortable every time you use it.
Some shower caps are so fragile that they can only be hand washed, while others can be thrown straight into the washing machine. Since shower caps are constantly getting wet, some may be prone to mold unless they have special antimicrobial properties.
Therefore, when purchasing a shower cap, you need to consider your preferences regarding how often and how you will wash it.
Yes, shower caps are primarily used to keep your hair dry while you bathe or shower, but they can also be used to protect your hair from odor and sweat while cooking or cleaning the house. Before you decide to use a shower cap, make sure you can do any activity without removing it.
Jasmine Gomez is the Lifestyle & Business Editor at Women’s Health, where she tests and writes about the best products for home, sleep, travel, and more. She has a master’s degree in digital journalism and has written for other media outlets, including Seventeen, Teen Vogue, Mamás Latinas, Bustle, and more. When she’s not online shopping, she enjoys cooking, aerobics, karaoke, and traveling to places with palm trees.