For the first 6 months it takes a lot of waxing, banding, general tidying.. Otherwise they just fall to pieces and look utter crap Now if it starts to smell/itch - I wash it, if my roots start to come loose - I reband it/trim them, if they start going dull and crappy looking - I rebleach them Otherwise maintainance free, no combing, no brushing, and definitely no straightening