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No poo. What sounds like an anti-diarrheal is in fact a movement toward less frequent shampooing in favor of "water only" (WO) washes or apple-cider vinegar and baking soda washes. I have been advised by many a hairstylist to begin shampooing every other day, and instead scrub with water only on the in-between days (an unsurprising suggestion considering that scrubbing more than once a week only came in vogue in the 1970s). I've tried it, and I'm in favor of any beauty regiment that is in fact lazier than my prior one.

Does anyone else's mind jump right to science fair volcanos when they hear those two ingredients?

However, the No poo movement leaves me with one burning question: what about conditioner? What is the purpose of conditioner? Until now it hadn't struck me that I didn't actually know. Maybe I should be seriously concerned that I was scrubbing cream into my hair without actually knowing the purpose of it. All I know is that it makes my hair stiff and gluey like a hair helmet. 

According to the internet, conditioner  is used to change the texture and appearance of the hair. Some sources have cited it's need to change the pH of the hair, others to detangle, others to moisturize after the stripping caused by shampoo.

However, multiple sources also noted that "fine, untreated, and oily hair can also benefit from hair conditioner, but with LESS frequent applications."(1)

If you have not "treated" your hair with lots of products then conditioner might be for you. If you have not "treated" your hair, then your texture and appearance may be just right as is. It sounds like Occam's Razor doesn't it? The solution is the simplest and possibly falsifiable one.

The purpose of conditioner is to fix the problems caused by other hair products!