[attachmentid=293][attachmentid=293]Well this year I plan to do something diffrent from my usual. I plan to follow the crown n glory theory (in a sense ). I will be wearing some braids for 6 months straight so I can see how long my hair grow.
I put in some braids today, well started on Wednesday 1/4 and almost finish and have some pics below. I plan on redoing the edges in 3 months so it can look fresh, as far as the maintance I need some help on that. I know I need a clarifying shampoo I have Nexxus Aloe rid as well as some 100% shea butter. But as far as routine on how often to wash and moisturing my hair I have no clue... Can somebody offer some advice plz. Thanks in advance.

Please don't leave the braids in for 6 months straight. You may have some serious problems with matting and dredding no matter how much you wash it. I would suggest that you leave the braids in for no longer than 3 months (so try two sets of braids).

Anyways to answer your question:
1. How often to wash: once a week (try not to go more than 2 weeks). Dilute shampoo with water and massage into scalp. Rinse out.

I have worn braids for 12 months straight (somewhat..er...coz I do touch them up often. So no matting here and no damage. I wash often (at least twice a week)...but more so, if my hair feels dry. (I don't use leave-ins so my moisture comes from washing - including condition-washing). If you don't touch up the growth and instead let the braid dangle painfully, you risk losing the whole section. Also aim to use less extension hair per braid section than the section itself, to minimize the strain on your scalp per section. Better to err on the side of less than more, esp along the hairline. And if you find the braids too stressful along the hairline - esp when you wear your hair tied up back - then you might consider not putting any extenstions along the hairline, but instead create bangs by doing just your hair (twists can look cute) or just cornrow the front part of your hair (no extensions) as I did here leaving the rest of my hair in single (square plait) extensions.