I would NEVER braid my hair w/o doing C&G. It is definitely worth the effort as a matter of fact you might find you need even more effort than she outlines.
Here's my version...
Notes: I wash them like I would my hair; I DC them like I would my hair. I wash every 2-3 days w/ a diluted poo (I actually keep an empty bottle in the shower and I add one capful of poo to about 8-10 oz of water and shake. I pre-poo with oil... yes oil, once/wk; I add oils and extra protein to my leave-in conditioners and put them in a bottle w/ 8-10 oz of water and pour that over my braids as a conditioner and steam it. Basically the only difference between my hair being braided and not is, I only use leave-in conditioners and add light proteins (metatek or a little SAA or oat protein in my regular conditioner). When I'm not braided, I use regular old conditioners, proteins and henna. I also retwist my hair every 2 weeks or as the need arises. I keep a few natural hair braids in the back so I can check that my hair isn't too dry.
June 2007 (braided)
* Boundless Tresses
* poo 2X/week (using one capful of poo to 16oz of water) only on scalp the runoff is enough to clean the hair.
* condition after poo (w/ a cap full of leave-in conditioner mixed w/ 16oz of water (i've been using metatek and aveda for this lately)
* pre-poo overnight (or for a couple days) with my red palm cream.
* I'm using Eqyss Avocado Mist mixed with Eqyss Rehydrant and a little SAA as my braid spray. I follow with red palm cream.
* Steam treatments 1/wk (pre-poo then wrap hair w/ a steaming towel for about 20 minutes)
May 2007 (braided)
* boundless tresses (every other day)
* poo 2X/week (using one capful of poo to 16oz of water) only on scalp the runoff is enough to clean the hair.
* condition after poo (w/ a cap full of leave-in conditioner mixed w/ 16oz of water (i've been using metatek and aveda for this lately)
* Aveda universal styling creme mixed with oil OR regular braid spray spiked w/ aphogee green tea reconstructor daily
* Pre-poo w/ amla, coconut oil, red palm nut oil 1X/wk.
* Steam treatments 1-2/wk (pre-poo then wrap hair w/ a steaming towel for about 20 minutes)
...
the rest of them going all the way back to
June 2006 are in my album.