My braid has been in for over 7 years, I re braid it once a week and on occasion cut an inch or so off the bottom. I braid it wet out of the shower, I usually use # 5 hair jell to hold it tight for a longer period. When I complete the Braid I bind it with an elastic and jell that too. Then I add my beads to the bottom of the Braid, I slide them on 1 at a time and use about 6 to10 depending on the beads. The last Bead I loop the hair around the bead and bind it with another elastic, I gel that and then slide the beads back down the braid to cover the elastics

The beads on the end are really fun!