12 Worst Hair Conditioners
While some women commit their lives to rearing children, establishing their career, or finding the perfect male specimen to marry, I've dedicated the majority of my life to one mission: Finding a conditioner that'll turn my weed-like hair into spun silk.
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Is it really too much to ask for a conditioner to do as it claims? To give me soft and shiny hair that tumbles gently over my shoulders, instead of a tangled, out-of-control mess that sticks up every which way?
I think not.
But sadly, I've spent a small fortune on conditioners that did absolutely nothing to tame my rat's nest of a head. And I don't want you to repeat my money-sucking, let-down inducing mistakes.
That's why, with the help of our readers, I compiled the 12 worst hair conditioners ever. Women say these left their hair greasy, dirty, and even more tangled than when they started. Read on to see which bottles you should avoid.
No. 12: Lush Jungle Conditioner, $7.95
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8
Why: Although readers "love LUSH" and "wanted to like this," LUSH's Jungle Conditioner "was a BIG disappointment." Readers agree that the bar conditioner left their hair a "tangled mess," while some experienced other problems: "Even after I spent twice the normal time washing it out than I do with regular conditioner, it still left chunks in my hair that only made it look greasy and dirty," says one reader. Another agrees, saying, "I even tried letting it soften in a bowl of hot water before using it and it still didn't absorb into my hair at all."
No. 11: Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Conditioner, $3.99
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.6
Why: This promises a "soft, tousled look that begs to be touched," but instead, readers say, "it made my hair look messy -- and not a 'sexy' messy like the bottle says." One reader says, "The bottom section of my hair became one big matted rat's nest -- not awesome. And after a few days, my hair felt like straw." Another reader adds, "I was really hoping that this line of products would help define my waves and help them last at least for a few hours. After using these products, my hair looks like it was only rinsed with water and is very dull. I wouldn't recommend it."
No. 10: Dove Cool Moisture Conditioner, $4.75
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5
Why: Most readers agree this conditioner "smells good but fails in the moisture area." One reader says, "I really wanted to like this because it smells so fresh and perfume-y! But over time, my hair began to feel weighed-down and the ends of my hair were left a frizzy, crumpled mess. Just say NO." Another reader says, "It doesn't add a significant amount of moisture. I have waist-length hair and the conditioner doesn't do a very good job detangling."
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No. 9: Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Conditioner, $4.99
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5
Why: This conditioner "really doesn't deliver on the smoothing claim. Not only that, but my hair feels more dry after I use this." Another reader says, "After about three washes I noticed that the conditioner was giving me a dry scalp and I was getting loads of dandruff as a result." Another reader with curly, frizzy hair adds, "This is the worst product for people with my type of hair. Even when I got the brush through one section it would re-tangle my hair instantly, which of course meant a ton of breakage."
No. 8: Nexxus Keraphix Restorative Strengthening Conditioner, $18.99
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.2
Why: This claims to repair "damaged hair for softer, stronger, healthier-looking hair," but readers had uncertain results. "Although after washing my hair I felt it was softer, it immediately went back to being dry and brittle during the day," says one reader. While another says, "I was just not impressed with it at all. My hair was so hard after the conditioning that I had to use another conditioner after that to soften my hair. I spent way too much money on this product."
No. 7: Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner, $6.99
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.9
Why: Readers agree that "nourishing" is one thing this conditioner is not. One reader says, "It seemed to strip my hair of moisture instead of adding to it. It also made my hair more tangled, even after adding an additional leave-in conditioner." Another adds: "This conditioner didn't do very much in the way of actual conditioning. My hair didn't feel smooth or moisturized after I rinsed … if anything, it was a little sticky." And another reader warns, "This product smells out-of-this-world great, but don't let that fool you! When I squeezed the product into my hands it felt thick and creamy like a super rich moisturizing conditioner, but after I rinsed, my hair felt like hay!"
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No. 6: Burt's Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner, $8
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.8
Why: Although it's infused with shea butter, honey, and grapefruit extract, this conditioner left reader's hair feeling anything but soft. One reader says, "It felt like I put actual honey in my hair because the product coated my hair, then dried it out." Says another, "This conditioner has a great aroma, but it falls short in carrying out its actual function. My hair felt greasy, weighed down, and was still tangled."
No. 5: Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner, $3.49
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.8
Why: While readers agree the price is a "plus," this conditioner doesn't leave hair "well-nourished" like it promises. One reader says, "This reminds me of a cheap children's hair product. It smells great, but does nothing for your hair." One woman says, not only is it "not hydrating enough, but it also leaves a waxy coating on my hair." And another reader with high hopes says she bought this conditioner "because it smelled really good, but when I started using it, the product did not help my hair -- it actually made my hair even drier."
No. 4: Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner
, $12
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.5
Why: "The vanilla in this product made it smell tasty, but the texture was a sticky, oily mess," one reader says. "Most of the ingredients in this concoction are natural -- lavender, nettles, vanilla. But that did not save it from wreaking havoc on my hair," says one woman. "I used it on both dry and wet hair with disastrous results. It was as if my hair had been coated in starch, leaving it dry and unmanageable."
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No. 3: Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner, $10.50
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.5
Why: This conditioner left some readers with "buyer's remorse" and one was so dissatisfied (her words: "I hate this product") she returned it. She explains, "When you put the conditioner on your hair, you can feel right away that the product isn't being absorbed." Proof? "My hair was stringy and tangled after I used this." Another reviewer adds, "It left my hair and scalp dry and irritated. Once I stopped using it, my scalp health immediately improved." Another awful side effect? "This conditioner gave me dandruff! Aveda products are usually good to me, but I had to take this one off my shelf."
No. 2: TIGI Bed Head Control Freak Conditioner, $11.96
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 3.9
Why: Readers say this product leaves hair "greasy" and "oily." One reader says after using this conditioner, "my hair got tons of build up, felt greasy, and looked nasty! I just wanted some control over my curls, but I got left with a grease ball. Not cool." Another reader says her hair was "weighed down and the roots were oily." While others just got static: "My hair got CRAZY static-y! Shampoo and conditioner have never made my hair that crazy before."
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."
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