javachick, I swear a lot? More seriously, I get the silicone caps, happier with Speedo than Tyr but that's due to shape. Even with my short hair, soak it thoroughly in the shower and pin it up as best I can and put the cap on. Truth be told, the hair at my nape is taking a beating, and even around my ears get a little bleached. I use a lot of heavy duty conditioner now (pre-swimming, I rarely used it.)

You might not have quite the same issues with swimcaps depending on your head shape; for a lot of my fellow female swimmers, nary a hair escapes. And there are some made for long hair.

Silicone is persnickity. Knick it wrong and it shreds. Latex is cheaper and a little more forgiving, but for me, doesn't stay put as well.(All my spares are latex, for when I tear the silicone.)

I've hear it recommended to apply conditioner before swim, but the slippery of that would slide my cap right off.

Nice table and chairs, sarameg. Also, can I just say, CV has one cute ass baby. Given how I'm crap at breeding, it's rare to see a newborn that makes me want one of my own, but DAMN. Luna makes me feel that way.

Just re-dyed my hair. I'm amused I missed at least one of the gray hair's I'm always trying to hide. Also, Clairol Natural Instincts = do not love. Back to Natural Match.

sara, thank you. I've marked your post. I have longish hair and mostly don't want to have to wash it every day that I swim. I will check out those caps and hope my head is shaped right for using them!

Luna is a very beautiful newborn, it's true.

I use feria. Yesterday. Kinda seems like a losing battle to dye my hair when the pool will bleach out pieces, but...hey, no pool for 48+ hours this weekend, that's prime time! Plus, covers my white bits.

java, depending on how much success you have with the cap, you might be able to get away with just conditioning it after a swim. You might also google chlorine-cancelling washes if you don't want to use shampoo. I've not done that, just resorting to shampoo after a swim.

Thanks sara, I really appreciate all of the info.

Yeah, I used to use Ultraswim shampoo and condition to minimize the green. It's not a hundred percent, but better. And your hair is a lot darker than mine to start so it might not be so obvious to begin with.

Also, Clairol Natural Instincts = do not love. Back to Natural Match.

I thought they discontinued Natural Match? I love Natural Instincts, been using it for years.

I tried ultraswim, but didn't see the difference for the money (but my pool is ultra chlorinated and my hair is dark.) I debated adding baking soda to my shampoo, but haven't tried it yet. It's a base, might shut down any process going on after swim. Can't really do anything about the marination in the 40-60 minutes in the pool.

And your hair is a lot darker than mine to start

Everybody's hair is darker than yours. Even mine.