Hi bro..I use only the effects from CS6. I really like the new oil paint filter in CS6 and I use that to give it a cartoon/drawn effects. It all depends on what you want to accomplish. I also use the smudge tool on the skin and face to help, usually at 20% since I do all of my work at 300 dpi. I play with the hue/saturation and my final touch is either a photo filter or color fill (solft lifght) and I play with the colors until it fits the mood I'm trying to create. When I started, I used actions and gradients, but nowadays I don't. Hopefully this will provide you with some help.

Thank you.