Being the frugal Old Skooler that I am, I enjoy making my own skin and hair care products. I often get ideas from other bloggers, and websites that specialize in those areas.

A great product does not have to carry a hard to pronounce name, a hefty price tag, or be sold at a high end department store for me to give it a try. Don't get me wrong, there are a few fancy, high end products in my boudior that I swear by, but why not save a buck or two every now and then?
Today, I will share some of my favorite hair and skin care goodies, along with some that can be found at your local drug store for under 10 dollars. Keep in mind friends, a product does not have to display an African American woman, or captions promising "Repunzel-like" results overnight for me to give it my seal of approval! Be open minded!

I'll start with good ol' trusty OLIVE OIL. Aside from being considered one of the healing fats, and Rachel Ray's trusty coadjutant, this healthful fruit derivative is a staple in my home! Every morning and night, I soothe my skin with an OLIVE OIL soaked cotton ball. Now, I understand that some of you may not have skin as dry as the Mojave Desert, like me, but if your skin is parched, like mine, OLIVE OIL should be your best friend.

I also use OLIVE OIL as a moisturizer for my son's handsome corkscrew curls, and for my natural hair as well. I keep the OLIVE OIL in a large spray bottle and just spray away! When I need a hot oil treatment, again OLIVE OIL is the oil de jour. OLIVE OIL and HONEY combined, and warmed in the microwave for 30-45 seconds is a favorite hot oil treatment for many naturals out there. Apply the warmed mixture to the head, wrap a warm towel around your head, or a plastic jerry curl cap (had to throw that in there for my 80's Old Skoolers), and leave it for as 15-20 mins, or as long as you personally see fit. Afterwards, remove the towel, or cap and wash the mixture out of your hair with the shampoo, or conditioner of your choice. The result will be soft, gleaming, healthy hair.

OLIVE OIL is not the only great oil out there, try GRAPESEED oil, too! I love this stuff. I spray it on my scalp, and on my long cornrows everyday! This oil is really light! GRAPESEED oil is also really great to cook with.

NEXT up is SHEA BUTTER! Years ago, as my natural hair stylist was braiding my hair, she handed me a clump of white/yellowish mush wrapped in plastic and told me it would nourish my dry scalp. She was right. At the time, I didn't know much about the African Emollient, but now SHEA BUTTER seems tobe the popular kid at school. At local stores, I see several products that touting the inclusion of SHEA BUTTER, but your best bet is to find someone who sells pure, unrefined SHEA BUTTER.

I find that SHEA BUTTER works best for me when I have vigorously rubbed it between my palms for several seconds, or melted it the microwave. The soothing qualities of SHEA BUTTER are most evident when my son has an eczema outbreak on his legs, or when I'm in need of a good massage. SHEA BUTTER is also used to alleviate arthritic pain, tackle that rough, craked skin on your feet,(lol) and Dermatitis. The list goes of reasons to use SHEA BUTTER goes on forever. Do some research, and give it a try.

I like to mix the oils or sometimes, I mix a little oil and water for different results. Lately, instead of using my Keihl's products to wash my face, I have been using a toner I made. The toner is kept in a spray bottle of course, and applied with a cotton ball. The toner is made up of apple cider vinegar,(which I am told gets rid of blemishes), rosewater, and just a leeettllle bit of peroxide. I know it sounds strange, but it works for me.

Now for the products I buy from the drugstore, or Target, or wherever I'm doing my beauty shopping. First up is GARNIER FRUCTIS CURL AND SHINE LEAVE-IN CONDITIONING CREAM. This stuff works wonders on my hair, wet, or dry! For the longest time, I could not find a product that would work on loosen my curls enough for me to comb through after washing. I decided to give this product a try just out of desperation. The results made me jump for joy. It makes my hair soft, and combable (if thats a word). As usual, I tried this out on my son, and it loosend up his curls.

Another fabulous GARNIER PRODUCT is GARNIER SOFT CURL CREAM. This stuff was made for my hair, and of course, Cullen's too. This cream shapes our curls without making them hard, and elimenates the frizz! Cullen and I were both having some serious frizz issues before we found the SOFT CURL CREAM. All of the products in the GARNIER FRUCTISE line are super affordable, which is an added plus.

Last for now is CAROL'S DAUGHTER HAIR MILK. I'm sure you've heard celebs, and friends alike singing the praises of the CAROL'S DAUGHTER products. I have only tried the HAIR MILK. I must honestly say that the product didn't work any wonders on my hair, so, you guessed it; I gave it a whirl on Cullen's hair. The HAIR MILK gave me hope for his hair. At that time, I had only used OLIVE OIL on his hair, which is always great, but I wanted something that could tame it more. The HAIR MILK made his curls soft, and they were noticeably moist. I could finally run my hands through his hair without him crying. In case you are confused, I used the HAIR MILK on Cullen's hair before I discovered the any of the other GARNIER products I mentioned before.

I will be sure to make additions to this list everytime I discover a new product, or remember one I already own. Be sure to give these a try and tell me about your results. I'm at work, so let me get back to it before "The Man" stops by and spazzes out!

Later, folks!