Does anyone else with long hair NOT use conditioner?

[NowIsTheWinterOfOurDiscontent]

Hello

I'm 43 with just-past-shoulder length hair. The individual hairs are fine but I have a lot of them, according to my hairdresser, so my hair looks thick. I have stopped bleaching my hair and only quickly blast it dry after washing (I don't heat style per se). I also sleep on a silk pillowcase.

I'm low in energy these days. I find most conditioners make my hair feel a bit sticky and need washing more often.

Can I just...stop using conditioner? My plan is to keep using a wide tooth comb in the shower before I get out, to rid me of tangles.

I don't use conditioner since I stopped colouring/ highlighting my hair. I have fine, straight, dark blonde hair falling to below my bra strap, so fairly long. I use natural SLS-free shampoos and let my hair dry naturally. It's now in lovely condition and infinitely less work. In the winter when the humidity is very low I keep it plaited to avoid static knots, but that's about it.

I have similar fine longish hair and haven't used conditioner for decades. It just made my hair sticky and flat. It's naturally soft and shiny and easy to comb out.

I use cantu ie non sulphate (I think!) shampoo and conditioner but because it’s less ‘stripping’ I generally wash my hair less. If I need to wash more often (like I’ve been for a run), I use a co-wash which is like a conditioning shampoo (again, I think!).

Quite tempted to revert to letting my hair air-dry but I do think it feels miserable in winter! Also - I can actually go longer between washes if I've blow-dried it into a more manageable style.

I would priotise conditioner over shampoo if you can only do one. When my luggage got lost on holiday, I only had access to the hotel shampoo they have in the shower and my hair was virtually destroyed after a few days

I found that switching from conditioner to Moroccan oil was much better. A little bit of oil on wet hair straight after showering, it doesn’t need washing off, it’s nicest when blow dried but fine to air dry as well. Used to get greasy in 1 day now I can go 3 sometimes 4, and less static too. I have fine straight hair, for context, no idea how different hair types would respond. For me it’s been a game changer.

Me too.

Try using conditioner then shampoo .

I stopped using it and my hair feels much better.

I’ve never found conditioner leaves my hair sticky and I’ve used many different ones (tend to buy what’s on offer).
Maybe you’re using too much and not rinsing enough?

You don’t need to apply conditioner all over - avoid the scalp area and focus on length and ends.

I have hair like yours and its take a long time and energy to wash. I only wash it once a week. Small amount of Redken (or other salon brand) shampoo on scalp only rinse then conditioner only on ends then rinse. Air dry using a wide tooth comb so it dries straightish and manageable. No products they just make it go greasy.

we have shower time restricted (drought measure) water so can only wash/rinse once.
we use a 2in1 shampoo (supermarket own brand) and put in a paste conditioner/mask on to the damp hair after washing.
not heavy or sticky and leaves hair shiny and soft.