I wanted to try braiding these in before I either commit to doing my own hair or buying a more expensive set. I love them. I've had them in for 10 days now and they are awesome. I did 10 of the 18in honey blonde and 10 of the 18in light brown to blonde and I really like that. I only did half my head because that is all I want to do. When I first got them, I palm rolled them and brushed the ends before installing them. This made a massive difference. This helped make them less itchy. They are still itchy, but palm rolling them helped. I also decorated them with some yarn and beads ect prior to installing them. My husband braided them in. Took about 2 hours for him to do. To wash, I separate my brushable hair out and wash/ condition that separate from the dreadlocks. I do not condition the dreadlocks, but I do oil daily and spray with my own essential oil plus distilled water blend. I wanted to try before I fully commit and these absolutely did the trick!