Like Bobby I order usually 3 sometimes 4 at a time. When I cut one in and attach and I still have one left in the box which is when I order 3-4 more.

I am never without a piece and some of the old ones could still be used for a few more weeks with a little care.

Since I use SFS on my I-LACE islands (and all SFS before) I find the base starts to give before anything happens with the hair. I get a SOlID 3 months and I don't baby nuthin'. I use hairspray, all type of gel and product... Only thing is Nanoworks, Nearly Natural and MAYBE ADF once a month.

I think what really works wonders is that I attach on Monday and during the week I apply SPF 50 Coppertone sport at least once as a gel. I never get fade (Sorry Ian) and my hair hardly get brittle (Sorry Doc).

So the hair lasts well. The gels I use are waxy and not "gel like" so I think that is why I hardly get dry hair as the alcohol to oil ratio is low in these types of products.

Plus using that Coppertone spf 50 sport as a gel has been a winner for me since summer 2005. I live in South America. It's sunny at the equator.