I also make my own products: for a moisturizer I fill my spray bottle with a mixture of water, rose water (for scent), and aloe vera juice. $3 for the rose water, $9 for the aloe, it's lasted over 6 months now because you only need a little of each to supplement the water (I use 1/3 aloe, 2/3 water. Then I splash a little of the rose water in afterwards).

For my moisture/styling creme, I have a mixture of shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, almond oil and this, which I added partly for scent and partly because it contains the other oils I missed (jojoba, castor, etc.).

All of the oils were costly at first, true, but with the addition of the shea butter, it stretches a good bit and you will be able to make quite a few batches out of them. Plus, since they are all oils, you don't need to use much at once, because you don't want it to get all heavy. My method: melt the shea butter for easy mixing, add in a little of each of the other oils, you will then have a puddle of oil. Let it cool so the shea butter firms again, but you want it creamy, not hard so continue adding the oils until your room temperature consistency is creamy rather than hard like plain shea butter.

For shampoo, I use Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap. For conditioner, I use Herbal Essences, usually - though I am interested in trying some of the natural conditioners I hear about - mayo, avocado, banana & honey... and when I want something with a little hold I use Organic Root Stimulator's Smooth-n-Hold Pudding. :D

If your hair is feeling stripped and dry, it may be you are shampooing too often? Try halving your shampoo usage and washing with only conditioner on some days. And I have become a huge fan of the acv rinse about once a month, too!