Conditioner will make your hair softer, to the point where you don't have to comb. But in any case, you should brush it everyday (with a brush) to keep your scalp healthy and get rid of dead skin.
If you don't use conditioner and just use shampoo it won't soften your hair so much and you might find it easier to get a "messed up hair" look if you're after it. But conditioner is what moisturises your hair so it's better to use it than not.
You should only wash hair every three days or so anyway, which will mean your natural oils help get the look you want. Aside form that, get some good wax or whatever from a hairdresser if your hair's not doing what you want.
I mostly don't abide by these rules, but I used to go out with a hairdresser and occasionally I listened to what she said.
