My Favorite Products

As of today, I have a few favorite hair products that make my curly mane look and feel just how I like it. And, you'll be glad to know because I know I am, that they are all very affordable!

-Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner ($11-12)
-Proclaim w/Aloe Vera & Protein Activator Gel ($1.50-3 depending on size)
-Pantene Classic In Control Mousse ($2-3)
-Pro Line Comb-Thru Softener AND their Lite Creme Moisturizer ($6 total)

I "water wash" my hair (get wet daily in the shower) then apply the Pro Line products, then either the Activator gel or mousse, depending on what I feel like. The mousse will give nice curl with hair that newly washed or at least conditioned in the shower, but the activator gel will do a great job on hair that lightly misted or soaked.
The Mixed Chicks product is used after washing (no-poo wash or just water wash) and you can get by with just that for the day. I don't use the MC product daily because it's the most expensive but it's perfect when I don't want to wonder how my hair will turn out for, say a party or event where I want to look my very best. As an at-home mom, gel or mousse does the trick and I'd even use one of those if I worked. Want MAJOR curls and got some dough to put into it? Mixed Chicks will do the job well.
I have tried Miss Jessie's product Curly Pudding (the purple one) and gotten fabulous curls but A) it's expensive ($30+), B) left my curls a bit too hard for my taste, C) leaves white flakes in my hair when it dries after 2 days so it would require a wash every other day. There are other products through Miss Jessie, but this particular one did not work well for me.
Another product that does not help natural hair is oil sheen, it just sits on the hair, and the Proclaim Glossing Polish just absorbs into the hair. I haven't found anything that shines my hair yet, but Motown Girl has a suggestion or two I'll be trying soon...I'll let you know how it goes for me!

If you have any product tips or ideas, let me know! I'm willing to try just about anything!