No. 1: Alberto VO5 Silky Experiences Champagne Kiss Conditioner, $0.99, 12 Worst Hair Conditioners

Hair care

12 Worst Hair Conditioners

Dull, tangled, greasy, or dry hair -- all telltale signs of a bad conditioner. From Herbal Essences to Aveda, see which ones will make your hair look awful

March 19, 2012 | by Clare R. Lopez | 85 COMMENTS

No. 1: Alberto VO5 Silky Experiences Champagne Kiss Conditioner, $0.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 3.8*
Why: Readers wanted to "save money" with this product, but found that "it's not even worth the $1 you spend on it." One woman says, "This product feels like it is more water than conditioner. It does nothing, absolutely nothing, for your hair. If anything, it stripped my hair and made it stringy, dry, and just feeling gross." Another reader adds, "This conditioner is by far the worst. Not only was my hair not silky and had a sickening smell to it, but the conditioner tangled my hair, making it look greasy. I don't even want to give this product one star."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

13 of 13

products mentioned

Lush Jungle Conditioner

6.6

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Conditioner

6.3

Dove Cool Moisture Conditioner

6.4

Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Conditioner

6.0

Nexxus Keraphix Restorative Strengthening Conditioner

6.3

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner

5.9

Burt's Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep...

5.5

Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner

6.0

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner

5.5

Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner

5.0

TIGI Bed Head Control Freak Conditioner

3.8

Alberto VO5 Silky Experiences Champagne Kiss...

3.3

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conditioner makes my hair fall out.

by mlyvng Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 12:18PM Report as inappropriate

I see herbal essences on youtube people still use it.

by lin44 Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 03:47PM Report as inappropriate

It's a shame to see some of these products in this list, but they belong there. There was a time--years ago--when I would walk a mile during my lunch hour to an exclusive salon to purchase Nexxus' "Keraphix." It was Heavenly then and kept my hair vibrant and shiny. Unfortunately, all of the formulas have been revamped for the worse.

by GigiSD Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 08:29PM Report as inappropriate

good article

by butterfly11 Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 08:06PM Report as inappropriate

I actually think V05 is worth the $1 and i don't think it's nearly as bad as the reviewer said it was, Although it doesn't do much for moisturizing your hair and the smell is nice though. I do like the suave though.

by HxCookie Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 06:41PM Report as inappropriate

I heard so many good things about the organix coconut milk conditioner, I'm surprised.

by Monique3 Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 09:34AM Report as inappropriate

I was surprised to find all of these brands. some products though I find ok.

by Misselizabeth Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 04:10PM Report as inappropriate

Maybe those products are bad but the brands are ok.

by yva_pink Friday, January 18, 2013 at 06:58PM Report as inappropriate

Luckily, I haven't tried any of these brands. I'm curious if there's a best conditioners article. I will have to search for that.

by hopela Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 10:49PM Report as inappropriate

good to know!

by Chris213 Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 06:22AM Report as inappropriate

I've always considered most of these brands to be up in quality for the price. I have to rethink that now.

by morgan_ledford Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 10:34AM Report as inappropriate

I don't care for the VO5 line myself but cheap enough to not worry about it

by EricaF123 Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 04:16AM Report as inappropriate

I have never tried any of these products, I have tried dove for damage hair not the one posted on the list.

by lin44 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 06:21PM Report as inappropriate

I have frizzy curly hair and does anyone know if Renpure shampoo and conditioner wprks? I am so glad renpure did not make the worst list lol! because I want to try it.

by lin44 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 06:12PM Report as inappropriate

Guess its time to upgrade conditioners

by kimihavens Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 02:07PM Report as inappropriate

I've used several of these products and my hairs is fine and it gets the job done. I love the nexus and it makes my hair soft and beautiful. I don't agree with parts of this article at all.

by Lani702 Friday, November 2, 2012 at 09:59PM Report as inappropriate

I bought the Lush Jungle Conditioner for shaving purposes since I heard it's great for that. I have not used it yet but anyone that doesn't like it for their hair might try using the rest of it for shaving.

by jellybeanred Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 04:56PM Report as inappropriate

I use the V05 as a shaving cream, that's about the only good thing about it.

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 12:57PM Report as inappropriate

Any consumer who pays $.99 for a bottle of Alberto VO5 conditioner shouldn\'t expect good results in the first place. I do agree that the VO5 product is more of a cream rinse than an actual conditioner. However, I\'d be really pissed off if I\'d ponied up almost $20 for a higher-end hair conditioner that not only didn\'t work, it left my hair feeling WORSE! Yikes.

by BengalsGal Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 12:51PM Report as inappropriate

I never buy conditioner at the drug store, and after reading this, I'm glad I do not. I'm surprised that Nexxus Keraphix got such bad reviews. I've used it, and it worked for me. I guess everyones hair is different.

by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 12:29PM Report as inappropriate

I hate this stuff! I can't ever get it to feel like it completely rinses out. My hair felt dry and unclean.

by mittenpaw Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 10:41PM Report as inappropriate

Everyone's hair is different, one of my worst experience was with Aveda color conserve shampoo and conditioner. Some people are in love with it, go figure.

by lilas Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 03:14PM Report as inappropriate

Glad I came across this because otherwise i would have spent my money on some of these products and been disappointed.

by MsMowet84 Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 05:04PM Report as inappropriate

I feel sorry for the people who feel that LUSH Jungle conditioner is anything but fantastic. Your hair must be such a damaged mess, or are so accustomed to the mass produced chemical sludge that passes for haircare these days that you are beyond any hope...

by m_lycanthropia Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 02:55PM Report as inappropriate

Liked Chrissy1154, I wish more readers with opinions about hair products would describe the type of hair they have. Products that leave straight hair weighted down or greasy might work well on curly, kinky, ethnic hair. People leaving comments need to describe their hair or skin better. Otherwise, the comments I am reading about how bad these products are, are useless to me. In fact, I'm going to actually go out and try the ones members have described as leaving their hair greasy.

by Cheryl5752 Friday, August 17, 2012 at 02:36PM Report as inappropriate

I want to try lush products but they are hard to find

by LittleBunny Monday, July 30, 2012 at 09:24AM Report as inappropriate

I like Lush, but their conditioners just don't do anything for my hair (bottled or bar form).

by veryvanilla Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 07:45PM Report as inappropriate

Ooooh yes I HATED herbal essences conditioner!! Horrible effects on my hair :( I'm now using Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan oil Conditioner and what a difference! Really gentle and really smoothing on my hair :) Definitely the best one to date!

by laura_wolfhart Friday, July 20, 2012 at 11:02AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the Herbal essences conditioner! it leaves your hair so awful :(

by heidihannibal33 Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 04:35PM Report as inappropriate

Neutragena conditioner is the best!

by starla1971 Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 02:09PM Report as inappropriate

I actually do own some of these :(

by yestfl Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 07:53PM Report as inappropriate

Will stay clear from these, but it really is disappointing... :(

by MissXu Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 06:19PM Report as inappropriate

I just bought some BedHead TIGI SpoilMe because my stylist used it on my hair when I last went in for highlights and it was really great. She's the told me not to use the Control Freak. I'm glad that I didn't now. I have kinky, curly, frizzy hair that I straigten and it's very difficult to control if there's any humidity at all. I've tried everything known to mankind from cheap expensive to cheap. I'm about to try the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm. Wish me luck, please!

by Chrissy1154 Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 02:41PM Report as inappropriate

kenra is the best and asussie is pretty good too

by AmandaAmanda Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:32AM Report as inappropriate

You get what you pay for

by TBjunkie Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 12:34AM Report as inappropriate

I'm a witness for some of these! haha waste of money!

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 08:54PM Report as inappropriate

I've been thinking about trying the Organix Coconut Conditioner, but not anymore. It's crazy how great brands can have some big flops...

by VV001 Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 01:27PM Report as inappropriate

Hmmm...I like some of these and having an average score of 7 doesn't make a product poor.

by TheLacqueredLady Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 06:40PM Report as inappropriate

I think it's interesting that one of the products listed in this list was just recommended by your site in the creating of loose sexy waves. Hmmm.

by ACicora Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 06:45AM Report as inappropriate

Love Carol's Daughter products, but I find that if u use to much of any of them it has the opposite effect. Less is more!

by danni714 Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 07:46AM Report as inappropriate

That's not a propblem to me, I don't use that or any other of the conditioners. I usually order my conditioners from an out of state catalog.

by dashdot Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 02:41PM Report as inappropriate

I wear my hair very short and bleach it white every 4 days- we all know what that can do to hair-and to make it worse I blow it out-over time I found Bumble&Bumble thickening shampoo and conditioner to be a total savior to my abuse of hair. Shampoo is rich in moisture and the conditioner put the moisture-shine and body back to where it should be-on my head. The best of them all.

by BlondeBabe Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 12:08PM Report as inappropriate

I loved how the coconut one smelled, good thing i didn't buy!

by eatinglipstick Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 07:47PM Report as inappropriate

most of these conditioners I haven't heard of but prob a good thing.

by elizabeth_nunez Monday, April 2, 2012 at 04:05AM Report as inappropriate

I have to agree with Lush's jungle conditioner. It's what I'm currently using and as much as I wanted to like it, I just don't. I'm not surprised about some of the others though.

by taryn.romero Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 07:13PM Report as inappropriate

I love Lush, but I just can't fathom using their products on my hair. I don't know what it is but I just get the feelings when I'm using all natural products that my hair doesn't feel and look as clean as it should. Plus Lush is super duper expensive!

by CliniqueLover Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 06:41PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for such good information

by 4getu123 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 05:44PM Report as inappropriate

Finding some of these brands on this list was a real surprise! For example, I've loved every Aveda product I've ever tried, but I definitely will stay away from the company's rosemary and mint line. Thanks for such good information!

by Jewelrydesigner Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 11:12AM Report as inappropriate

So true about the Nexxus conditioner, absolutely horrible! Left my hair feeling weighed down and almost had a dirty feeling.

by Jonealle77 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 08:37AM Report as inappropriate

I actually debated buying a couple of these yesterday. Glad I didn't!

by KayArrEff Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 07:41AM Report as inappropriate

good to know, I hate wasting money.

by venenumletalis Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 07:33AM Report as inappropriate

Great advice!!

by volta Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:33PM Report as inappropriate

I will make sure to avoid these conditioners!

by powerwoman033 Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:11PM Report as inappropriate

the aveda rosemary mint range is terrible. Conditioner feels like it slips through your fingers and hair, and shampoo makes my scalp and hair irritated, dry, fall out more than usual, and get 3x as oily after 1 day.

by nguyen_ngo Monday, March 19, 2012 at 08:17PM Report as inappropriate

thank goodness i dont use none of these.

by laurie72 Monday, March 19, 2012 at 06:48PM Report as inappropriate

I have tried 3 of these and hated them. And the others I know not to buy.

by tiffany_gallehugh Monday, March 19, 2012 at 04:35PM Report as inappropriate

greatt

by Nicole2814 Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 07:10AM Report as inappropriate

Yay! I have never used any of those products, and I will not plan to!

by yestfl Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 06:29PM Report as inappropriate

I've used John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette conditioner. The only thing it did well was bring out my natural reddish-brown highlights. Otherwise, my hair was a tangly, matted mess!!!

by Natasha713 Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:21PM Report as inappropriate

Will be sure to avoid these conditioners.

by MissXu Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 09:13PM Report as inappropriate

interesting

by Nicole2814 Friday, November 18, 2011 at 09:30PM Report as inappropriate

I absolutely LOVE using Garnier Fructis hair styling products, I own almost all of them! :) However, when paired with their shampoo and conditioner (which they say makes it "better" to use) their products weigh down my naturally uber-curly hair and make it look weird! I now use Pantene Nature Fusion Shampoo & Conditioner both in Moisture Balance (because we all know how curly hair drinks moisture like a morning cappuccino!) And when I use that in the shower before distributing Garnier's triple nutrition spray, leave-in conditioner, diffuse to almost-dry and then carefully add in some cream-gel, my hair is that of a goddess! :)

by KathrynMarie Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 03:56PM Report as inappropriate

Not a big fan of Burts Bees

by andyv1217 Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 10:04PM Report as inappropriate

Won't be wasting money on any of these, thanks

by MysticMeercat Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 07:57PM Report as inappropriate

I have used the John Frieda Conditioner on my hair. Was not happy. When I air dried and straightened my hair I had so many flyaways and it just looked unhealthier than normal. I have though used the Garnier conditioner and it worked, maybe not as much as others but it did work.

by beccaw2kids Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 10:14AM Report as inappropriate

I rated this an 8 because i no longer feel the need to purchase other conditioners. i will stay with my WEN!!!!!

by amgo.db Monday, October 17, 2011 at 10:42PM Report as inappropriate

paying $17 for the conditioner is crazy then finding out it doesn't do a thing, that has to be the worst

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 08:03AM Report as inappropriate

Really surprised to see Aveda on here!

by vfalkow Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 09:46AM Report as inappropriate

Will stay away from these!

by queenofthegreen Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 08:58AM Report as inappropriate

I expected it from VO5 but not aveda!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 12:56AM Report as inappropriate

I would expect better results from Aveda... tsk tsk.

by katherine_melendez Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 04:48PM Report as inappropriate

I have tried a few of the above listed, and they were horrible. That is why they made the list.

by MissPurple Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 10:46AM Report as inappropriate

Nice....I use the John Frieda thinking it was my gel causing the issues. Ooops

by BellezzaBeauty Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 04:08PM Report as inappropriate

Great to know. Saved me money and time!

by LittleBunny Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 10:30PM Report as inappropriate

Below comment I agree!

by doglova Monday, May 30, 2011 at 12:33AM Report as inappropriate

I'm not surprised that Alberto VO5 is on here. I'm really glad TotalBeauty exists! Now we won't be spending money on products that don't even work

by rockgal911 Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 07:18PM Report as inappropriate

Actually like Garnier and VO5, might not be the best but also they are far from the Worst

by debjosh Monday, April 11, 2011 at 02:32AM Report as inappropriate

i totally agree i dont like v05

by AmandaAmanda Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 09:56AM Report as inappropriate

i'll try some of these. :D

by yckitsmary Friday, April 8, 2011 at 07:03PM Report as inappropriate

i love garnier!

by judyangel101 Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 06:57PM Report as inappropriate

I actually really like John Frieda Brillant Brunette, I know it's not the more moisturizing but people saw a big difference in my hair, they all said it looked like I had dyed it and it looked great... idk.

by Bon_Bon Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 12:06AM Report as inappropriate

i actually like the carol's daughter and VO5 products! expecially carol's daughter!

by kenya Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 02:55PM Report as inappropriate

So, what products are good to use? I went through chemo earlier this year and my hair is coming back really, really curly. I don't want to do a permanent straightener, but would love to tame this mess!

by khnorris Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 10:48PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the review on Burt's Bees More Moisture Raspberry

by mfrays Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 09:13PM Report as inappropriate

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