How Shower Caps Have Evolved Over The Years
Shower caps have come a long way since making their way onto the scene over 100 years ago. The very first attempt came around the same time showers became a thing. It was called an extinguisher cap and looked similar to a candle snuffer, or extinguisher. Some people liken it to a “dunce” cap with its high cylindrical shape and pointy tip.
It was made out of oil cloth, tightly woven linen that was coated with linseed oil (for waterproofing). The purpose of this cumbersome contraption was not just to keep your hair dry, but to keep water off the face and out of the ears.
Showers were new to most people and they were a bit fearful about what effect water pouring down on them from above would have on their faces. These caps helped fan the water out away from the face. The odd cap also helped keep water out of the ears. Back then, water in the ears could lead to infection. This was problematic because there were no antibiotics.
Early 1900’s
Over time, it was determined that water speckles from above would do no harm and there was no need for the huge cone. In 1914, the first real shower cap was patented. The cap was a rudimentary plastic baggie-type-deal that was just meant to keep your hair dry. These early caps were on the right track, but they just weren’t that great. They leaked, they were unattractive, and they turned the humidity up to a thousand percent inside the cap.
1930’s and On
Improvements still needed to be made. During the 1930’s, they thought they had done it. A new, sleeker version came out. Looking like a cross between a muffin top and a mushroom. This new cap had more room, it was a bit more sturdy, and it came in colors like Pepto pink and lime green with a satin outer layer for that style every woman craved. Still, they leaked, were hard to dry, and had a funny smell.
On to the next decade, when the shower cap turban became the latest choice. These were softer cloth and easier to dry. But they usually had jewels or brooches that made one look like a fortune teller.
Evolution Continued…
By the 1960’s and 70’s, we were back to plastic. This time the choice was a thick vinyl like a shower liner. These were good at keeping hair dry, but they smelled funny, and left your forehead temporarily misshaped by the tight elastic.
It seemed impossible to find a shower cap that was waterproof, comfortable, didn’t hurt your head, and looked cute. People had just resigned themselves to the fact that shower caps were just one step above a grocery bag.
But in the past decade or so, a few trailblazing companies said “enough” to the faulty ugliness that was the forehead deforming, smelly shower cap.
The Shower Cap Reinvented
There is a company that seems to have hit the shower cap right on the head. Shhhowercap is the creation of Jacquelyn De Jesu. The idea came to her while searching the internet for a cap for herself.
Jacquelyn applied the standards that she did to all her purchases. The cap needed to be of the best quality materials, comfortable, fashionable yet functional and gentle on the body. What she found was a ton of mushroom-shaped, glitter bombed ruffles. Every cap seemed to be covered in bananas, watermelon slices, cats, or flowers. Worse, most of the reviews were not good.
After all this time, nobody had seemed to get the basic premise down pat. Caps were still not keeping hair from getting wet. De Jesu knew there had to be a market for a good cap, so she got to work.
Long story short, she found material that was similar to what’s used in the best athletic dry fit apparel. Then she tested fabrics, sketched designs, and pounded the pavement for investors and stores to carry the cap. Within the first 10 days of going live, De Jesu sold over $15,000 in caps.
The Rise of Shhowercap
The Shhhowercap company was born. After her live event, stores like Fred Segal, Bloomingdales, and Sephora came knocking. Even celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Oprah top their heads with their caps. Shhhowercap seems to have what women, for a century, have been looking for:
- a water repellent surface that lets water roll right off
- silicone band that won’t let water in but won’t leave a forehead mark
- stylish enough to wear to the pool or beach
- breathable so humidity does not get trapped
- anti-microbial, so there’s no weird smell
- tested on every hair length and type to ensure it works for everyone
Now That I Have A Great Shower Cap, How Can I Reuse The Old Ones?
In keeping with the vital trend to reduce plastic consumption and waste, here are some creative ways to use all those old shower caps that are probably lurking around the dark corners of your bathroom.
1. Use them as ice packs
Just toss some ice in and twist.
2. Dog poop baggie
Use as a glove to pick up poop, then turn inside out, twist, and toss.
3. Flower pot saucer
Great for hanging plants that drip after watering and even countertop or floor plants. Just put the cap on the bottom to keep water in.
4. Wrap up a wet bathing suit.
Bring some caps to the beach or pool to put anything wet in or to keep items, like phones, from getting wet.
5. Portable vase
When you buy flowers for someone and are not giving them right away. Fill the cap with some water, put it over the stems, and wrap an elastic around it.
6. Make – up bag
Use the cap for a makeshift make-up bag in your purse, suitcase, or to store items you may not use all the time.
7. Pack your shoes
Shower caps are great to put your shoes in when traveling. Place them in the caps before putting them in your suitcase so clothes stay free from dirt and germs.
8. Cover up appliances
The caps are a great way to keep dust and food splatter off of countertop appliances.
9. Cover the food bowls
This is a great idea if food is made, but not ready to be served. Also, great to keep bugs out of food at picnics and BBQs.
10. Cover seedling pots
If you’re a gardener, you know the struggle of trying to keep seedlings safe. The shower cap will do the trick because it will also allow the soil to breath.
Why Is A Shower Cap Important?
Historically, shower caps have been the ugly duckling of the beauty world. The dark secret everyone hides away under their sink. But they shouldn’t be. Shower caps play an essential role in our beauty routines. They are capable of much more than just keeping our hair dry.
1. A good conditioning
We all know how important conditioning our hair is, but we don’t always have time. Enter the cap. If you want a good 15 to 20 minute deep conditioning, throw the shower cap on. You can get some work done, do the dishes, feed the baby, all while doing something great for your hair.
2. Use during facial treatments
It’s often a pain to keep hair out of our faces while applying face scrub or mask. Use the shower cap to solve this problem.
3. When coloring your hair
Most of us know the drippy mess that happens when we dye our own. Towels and shirts get ruined and porcelain gets stained. After applying hair color, wrap your hair up in a cap and avoid the mess.
4. Use at night
The shower cap is great at preventing the dreaded bedhead and tangling. It limits friction and can help keep breakage at bay. A shower cap will also help promote hair growth. By keeping in moisture, the scalp and sebum will be better conditioned to grow hair.
5. Less hair washing. Less hair damage
When you wear a shower cap you don’t have to tie up your hair. Pulling and twisting can lead to damage and hair loss. Blow drying constantly leads to dry hair and breakage.
6. Hair mask
Shower caps are useful tools when doing a hair mask or hot oil treatment. Similar to conditioning, it will allow you to multitask.
7. Protect your hairstyle
A cap is great to wear if you’re going out and your hair is done but the rest of you is not. Put the cap on when sliding a dress or top over your head. If you’re cleaning the house, put on the cap to keep the dust and grime out of your hair.
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