why is my hair better with just shampoo?

hi, i have 2a wavy hair. it's already really fucking dry like the ends are crispy (not heat damage nor do i color it, i get trims as well), meanwhile i do all the things i should be doing—hair masks, leave ins, mousse, hair oil, protective hairstyle, no silicones/sulfates, etc.

well, today i washed my hair with just shampoo (no sulfates nor silicones) and scrunched it with my cotton t-shirt and let it be. it already feels so much softer? and its still damp. meanwhile my damp hair would feel like straw after every hair mask/conditioner.

can i just use shampoo and hair oil for when my hair is fully dry, or do i have to use some sort of hair conditioner?