No. 5: Alterna Ten Shampoo, $60, 15 Worst Shampoos

Hair care

15 Worst Shampoos

Check out the shampoos our readers say are the absolute worst hair care products -- some might just surprise you

February 25, 2011 | by Sharon J. Yi | 82 COMMENTS

No. 5: Alterna Ten Shampoo, $60

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.9*
Why: Readers say this product has an "outrageous price" and is "not worth it at all." One says, "this shampoo is definitely not worth the price [as] it made my hair feel very heavy and flat." Another user had a similar experience saying, "I used a small amount of the shampoo like it said to and my hair ended up limp, lifeless and full of static. My hair was impossible to style -- no body and wouldn't hold a curl for anything."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 4: Burt's Bees More Moisture Raspberry & Brazil Nut Shampoo, $8

12 of 16

products mentioned

TRESemme Vitamin B12 & Gelatin Anti-Breakage Shampoo

4.3

Matrix Total Results Amplify Volume Shampoo

5.2

Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Moisturizing...

5.2

Burt's Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar

5.3

John Frieda Radiant Red Color Captivating Shampoo

6.0

TRESemme Color Thrive Brunette Shampoo

4.7

Head & Shoulders Refresh 2-in-1

5.7

Aveda Clove Shampoo

5.4

TIGI Bed Head Self Absorbed Shampoo

5.2

TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac Shampoo

5.3

Alterna Ten Shampoo

5.0

Burt's Bees More Moisture Raspberry & Brazil Nut...

4.0

Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo

4.5

Samy Smooth Shampoo

3.2

BioSilk Hydrating Shampoo

3.3

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Shampoo's pearl shine contains chemical that doesn't suits oily skin and thus increase acne problem.

by Nashwille Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 05:52AM Report as inappropriate

Never expected to see Biosilk on the list.

by lehxuu Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 07:53PM Report as inappropriate

You would think with the price points of MAC products they would actually deliver, sad.

by Lamexicana1 Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 10:46AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for this! And to think, I was going to try Biosilk out!!

by PrincessBear3 Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 01:27PM Report as inappropriate

I tried this as my hair is very dark brown (natural color). Not only did it not deposit color, but as described by the TB reviewer, it left it feeling like straw. BTW, the conditioner that goes with this is no better. It stains your hands, doesn't deposit color, and has no conditioning effect at all. Your hair feels like you didn't even use a conditioner. They have some great products, but not this.

by kimber314 Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 02:49PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for this article. I hate all Tresemme products even though they keep coming up with new products that sound great. My hair always feels dry and frizzy. I was going to try TRESemme Vitamin B12 & Gelatin Anti-Breakage Shampoo, but not now!

by kimber314 Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 02:39PM Report as inappropriate

i find it interesting when i read comments about the same shampoo for people with different hair goals. if people have different hair goals, why are they using the same shampoo? :P also, i don't know what the big deal about lack of lather is. any decent shampoo i've used doesn't lather very much because it's not meant to. it's more concentrated without lather. same with smell. i don't care if it smells good, i put in product later anyways. regardless, i don't use any of these shampoos :P

by forkjuice Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 12:36PM Report as inappropriate

Glad I read this. Sure, I probably wouldn't be trying many of the high-end brands but if I saw the Tresemme Anti-Breakage in the drugstore I would probably buy it, glad to know now that it's not recommended by TB. Thanks. :)

by jenboleyn Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 10:56AM Report as inappropriate

Haven't had a whole lot of luck yet with Tressemme

by EricaF123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:37AM Report as inappropriate

now i know what to skip! thanks :D

by rayshaviolet Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 10:29AM Report as inappropriate

I'm glad to know that these don't do well. I usually go for articles about what's best but being such a curious person I often stray and find trouble.

by KelseaT Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 06:14AM Report as inappropriate

It's really good I don't have any of these! haha lol jk :)

by _Nikitaaa_ Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 10:15PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for this article.

by midnightblue00 Friday, October 26, 2012 at 07:38PM Report as inappropriate

Some of my worst shampoo experiences were with Burts Bees shampoos. Absolutely horrible stuff.

by Feline44mom Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 02:32PM Report as inappropriate

I have never tried any of these products!

by Chris213 Monday, October 8, 2012 at 06:19PM Report as inappropriate

Any Tresseme shampoo and conditioner is the worst in my opinion. I stick with classics like Aussie. Can't go wrong with something that has been around forever without changing formulas.

by Taylerbootz Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 01:43PM Report as inappropriate

I must be picking the right kind of shampoo! I've never heard of most of these shampoos, but recognize the brand. Sometimes, it takes trying a couple different shampoos to find the right one for yourself. I am perplexed at the idea of a shampoo bar?!? How does that even work?

by flirtygirl214 Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 11:01AM Report as inappropriate

i think that the shampoo reaction depend on the hair type. We are not build the same. maybe it work at some people maybe it wont. i think it better to try and error until you find the one you comfortable with. it not fair to rate it like it. but that only me.. ^u^

by hazr_rayn_hashim Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 09:06AM Report as inappropriate

I would like to try one product and think it is maybe good for my hair. :))

by pat_pedigree Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 07:21AM Report as inappropriate

Wont be trying these

by milenaa87 Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 06:59AM Report as inappropriate

organix products arent that great on my hair

by mdiaz0620 Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 12:51PM Report as inappropriate

I'm surprised matrix isn't good i always hear positive things about that brand. Tressmme is terrible. I bought two huge bottles of the low sulfate shampoo for colored hair and was using it for abouut a month and if wrecked my hair. I went to loreal sulfate free ones

by Songbird2872 Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 01:05PM Report as inappropriate

you get what you pay for.....

by tanje_zammiello Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 09:41PM Report as inappropriate

SUAVE shampoo isnt good at all

by Nicole2814 Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 06:47AM Report as inappropriate

The best shampoo I've come across is Pert Shampoo and Conditioner Classic Clean. I love it because it makes my hair shinier than usual and makes washing my hair faster.

by magnetic Friday, May 11, 2012 at 02:06AM Report as inappropriate

I hate Garnier products

by TBjunkie Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 12:38AM Report as inappropriate

Excellent tips! Several of these are brands I wouldn't have expected to be that bad!!

by tallredamanda Friday, April 20, 2012 at 07:05AM Report as inappropriate

Tresemme is really bad

by ayegee Monday, April 16, 2012 at 08:53AM Report as inappropriate

oh wow

by Nicole2814 Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 09:55PM Report as inappropriate

The John Frieda Radiant Red is fine. I think some people just aren't rinsing properly. It's good to know about some of these though.

by LBCunningham Friday, April 6, 2012 at 08:41PM Report as inappropriate

Its nice to know that some of the expensive shampoos aren't worth their price tag!

by elizabeth_nunez Monday, April 2, 2012 at 04:30AM Report as inappropriate

havent tried any of the brands listed.

by msrayz10 Monday, March 26, 2012 at 12:26PM Report as inappropriate

I'm suppose at some of these brands that have bad shampoo, since they normally do have good products. I guess even brands have some hits and some misses.

by MissXu Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 08:34PM Report as inappropriate

I always wonder which products to avoid. Now I know I can come to Total Beauty to find out before wasting time and money sorting through the beauty isles.

by lazorc Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 07:11PM Report as inappropriate

Some of the names surprised me, although I have never tried them, so thank you for letting us know which ones to avoid!

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:30AM Report as inappropriate

I'll be making sure to avoid these products.. I've had terrible experience with some terrible shampoos....

by brendag20127 Monday, March 5, 2012 at 06:18PM Report as inappropriate

I love to read all of these best and worst articles. I would be wonderful if you could print off the list!

by seyfertk Friday, March 2, 2012 at 11:03AM Report as inappropriate

I use the tresemme anti-breaking conditioner and i love it. :/

by midnghtangel82 Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 02:22PM Report as inappropriate

I have Bumble and Bumble Seaweed shampoo and conditioner and I love it! Gosh, some of these reviews are ridiculous.

by poisonberry Friday, January 13, 2012 at 02:27PM Report as inappropriate

I am laughing! I have used more than HALF of these terrible shampoos. HA!

by modinosaur Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 03:05PM Report as inappropriate

I've been using the TIGI Self Absorbed conditioner, and it isn't THAT bad. Not the greatest, but not awful either.

by Secretblush13 Monday, January 2, 2012 at 12:58PM Report as inappropriate

Yuck. I hate when shampoo leaves my hair feeling worse than pre-wash. Will definitely stay away from these products.

by bitemeinks Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 11:47AM Report as inappropriate

The idea of a bar soap working is ridiculous. Wouldn't even try it.

by diamondsmiles Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10:36PM Report as inappropriate

phew. luckily i've never used any of these

by shootingstar0112 Monday, November 28, 2011 at 02:40PM Report as inappropriate

great tips thank youu really need to change up my shampoo

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 10:38PM Report as inappropriate

I got the amplify, from a hairstylist who was raving about it, guess she needed the money more. I don't like it either.

by Piggie8 Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 12:34AM Report as inappropriate

Goo to know :)

by Flicky_95 Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 05:50AM Report as inappropriate

Good advice... I won't be wasting any money on these

by MysticMeercat Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 09:20AM Report as inappropriate

I tried Bath and Body Works shampoo and conditioner a long long time ago. After buying one bottle of each, I vowed never ever again. My hair looked like hay.

by Only1KimmieD Friday, October 14, 2011 at 08:19AM Report as inappropriate

i use tresemme..shampoo and conditioner...or the pantene sets from costco!

by janellelora Monday, September 19, 2011 at 09:08PM Report as inappropriate

thanks! Totally saved me some cash!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 09:14PM Report as inappropriate

Great read!

by volta Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 09:00PM Report as inappropriate

I think that biosilk is all hype. And expense!

by LittleBunny Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 06:53PM Report as inappropriate

I can't stand the Samy shampoo! it's definitely the worst one for me

by BrenBren Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 08:37PM Report as inappropriate

great to know!

by Rawrrr Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:08AM Report as inappropriate

I don't like the Samy one at all. It's good to know what other shampoos to avoid.

by LipglossandSpandex Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 11:03PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know.

by sarahmblessing Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 06:09PM Report as inappropriate

Good advice, but when it comes to hair I personally don't mind the drugstore because lots of the products do the same if even at better job for an 1/8 of the price of a salon brand.

by CliniqueLover Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 09:51AM Report as inappropriate

This is a good list to have handy!

by krycekov Friday, April 22, 2011 at 03:19PM Report as inappropriate

This is one of the reasons I love this site...how many people these days have money to throw away on products that make your hair so dried out and tangled that you have to re-wash?

by alictasia Friday, April 22, 2011 at 07:25AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the advice. I won't end up spending so much money

by be_yourself Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 10:58PM Report as inappropriate

i love tresemme shampoo

by kiofairy Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 03:18PM Report as inappropriate

these look awesome! but not dove!

by yckitsmary Friday, April 8, 2011 at 07:14PM Report as inappropriate

Wow, what an eye-opener!!!

by Jewelrydesigner Friday, April 8, 2011 at 12:49PM Report as inappropriate

The worst is Pantene Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality. It made my scalp flake like crazy.

by CliniqueLover Friday, April 8, 2011 at 07:35AM Report as inappropriate

Dove shampoo leaves my hair looking so dull. I really like the Head and Shoulders. In a bind, it gives good volume and shine!

by BlackFleur145 Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 07:59PM Report as inappropriate

Wow, I'm really surprised at some of these being on here. Matrix? Bumble & bumble? Tigi? D:

by mkgx7 Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 06:38PM Report as inappropriate

Definitely going to stay away from these! Thanks!

by volta Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 12:31AM Report as inappropriate

i strongly dislike the matrix shampoos and conditioners

by taliarivas Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 02:08PM Report as inappropriate

That brand been around dunce I was a child and I'm 33 now. I always use what I call ole school products, I'm more confident in those than the new at times

by ZUrsery Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:39AM Report as inappropriate

Hate the Samy and Biosilk shampoos!

by ArmenianGal Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 08:00PM Report as inappropriate

The Head and Shoulder Refreshing Shampoo is one of my favorite because I like that tingly feeling it gives. Some of the other shampoos aren't that bad either

by msSaroun Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 05:52PM Report as inappropriate

i liked this shampoo made my hair soft and east to manage.

by sandyc Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 03:12PM Report as inappropriate

Definitely helpful, I have the BioSilk Silk therapy and it works great for my hair, haven't tried the shampoo though. :S

by lama_ahmad Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 02:39PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know!

by cheri4064 Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 01:59PM Report as inappropriate

This is hysterical: I'd only use it to wash a dog I didn't like! It's a little wild for the Biosilk to stink as a product when it costs so much!

by Isis04 Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 07:58AM Report as inappropriate

My sister had the bed head self-absorbed; she then gave it to me with no explanation other than she wanted to try a different bran/ she thought it might be good for my hair. I waited to use it as I was still working on another bottle of shampoo. I let the bed head sit by a window and watched the shampoo separate into two liquids. one waxy the other oily...i threw it out before I had a chance to even use it. I stick to Pantene or V05

by xXLunarxroseXx Monday, February 28, 2011 at 09:21AM Report as inappropriate

Biosilk is awful!

by Bon_Bon Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 03:46PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know. Biosilk stinks

by LittleBunny Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 10:10AM Report as inappropriate

I am surprised that Biosilk is on this list. I have heard lots of good things about this line. Just glad I didn't buy it before I read this!

by pynkNymphette Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 09:20PM Report as inappropriate

biosilk's is the worst! it makes your hair feel hard even while its wet!

by kenya Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 11:33AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the article! It's always helpful to know what's good before you actually pay for it! I'm always on the lookout good shampoos that travel well! I've to lot of trips to take and a great bag to keep all my beauty products (http://www.salonhive.com/pro-soft-sided-carry-on-cosmetic-case-w-trays-ts-99.html)--just need good stuff to put in it!

by tierramwilson Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 08:47PM Report as inappropriate

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