A hair care composition having a conditioning active comprising a sucrose polyester having a melting point greater than about 30° C., an IBAR greater than about 5, an IV of about 3 to about 70, and an aqueous carrier, and may further comprise optional ingredients including but not limited to, silicone, cationic polymers, and fatty alcohols. The composition can also comprise a blend of sucrose polyesters, wherein the blend comprises two or more sucrose polyesters, wherein at least one sucrose polyester has a melting point greater than about 30° C., an IBAR greater than about 5, an IV of about 3 to about 70, and at least one sucrose polyester has an IBAR between about 1 and about 8, and an IV between about 1 and about 135, and wherein the sucrose polyester blend has an IBAR of at least 5 and an IV of about 1 and about 135.