Hello! Swimming is easily the best summer activity and, unfortunately, I can’t tell you the last time I actually went swimming. I’m not talking the wading and treading water like I normally do but swimming for real. My hair has not been my natural color since my mid teens (I honestly have no idea what my natural color is at this point lol) and swimming + dyed hair is a recipe for disaster. Because I refuse to sully my funky colored tresses, getting my front and back stroke on is just impossible. However, I was determined to go swimming with my nieces and nephew when we went on a mini family vaca to Idlewild Park and SoakZone a few weeks ago. Our hotel had a pool and the water park looked like a blast and I wasn’t going to let anything stand in my way – my beloved freshly dyed hair included.

At the time, I had what I thought was a genius idea: Get a swim cap. My hair would be safely tucked away and despite a swim cap being the least cute accessory I can think of, at least I could swim. As soon as we got to the hotel after a day at the park, I made a beeline to the bathroom to get in my swimsuit, put on my cap, and hit the pool. Listen, I have NO idea how swimming enthusiasts get their caps on with ease because my experience was about a bitch lol. My bright purple cap was skin tight and I had to enlist the help of my sister to get it on and tuck away any loose strands. After wrestling with the cap for what felt like an eternity, it was time to put my idea to the test.

As soon as I got in the pool, I made use of the countless swimming lessons of my youth and it was absolutely delicious. I was doing laps with different strokes like nobody’s business and it felt SO good to be fully immersed in the cool water after a long day in the heat. I swam for a solid half hour or so solo and then went back into the hotel to gather the littles and swim altogether. I also couldn’t wait to see how my handiwork with the swim cap paid off. Let’s just say that it didn’t lol.

When I took my cap off, my hair was drenched. Not just a little damp but soaking wet. My hair was bleeding red, orange, and blue profusely and I all but destroyed several hotel towels. I had no idea where I went wrong. Maybe I wasn’t wearing the swim cap the right way? So, I gave it a Google and learned the hard way that swim caps are not meant to keep your hair from getting wet, it’s all about the aerodynamics. SMH this would have been a good thing to research beforehand! Blessedly, my hair didn’t turn into any weird colors but that was besides the point – it was still wet! -_-

My master plan had failed and I genuinely didn’t know what I was going to do at the water park the next day. Then, a little package of silver caught my eye in the bathroom and I saw that it was a shower cap. Was it going to work? No clue. But, it was my only option of protecting my hair and I knew it couldn’t hurt to try. At the water park, I changed into my suit once again and put the shower cap on too. It was kind of funny because I was getting compliments on my hair left and right and it was like everyone knew damn well why the cap was on which I really appreciated. 😀

I am pleased to report that my shower cap didn’t falter during my time in the wave pool, lazy river, and getting splashed by my littles in the Little Squirts section. It was a GREAT SUCCESS, for sure, but I am not convinced that a shower cap would help my hair during actual swimming and I’m too nervous to do a test run. So, I guess the point of this long winded story is that if you know of anything you can wear to keep your hair dry while swimming, let a Lil Red know!

What is your favorite summer activity? How do you protect your hair when swimming? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah