In 2005 a group of hairstylists and MIT biotech scientists, led by Dr. Bob Langer, set out to build hair care based on real science. That is how Living Proof describes its own beginning. Langer is one of the best-known biomedical engineers in the world, and his lab sits a few blocks from the company's headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, according to Fortune. Racked adds a nice detail: a Boston salon owner who cut Langer's hair helped bring the founders together.

The brand's first big idea was a molecule. MIT's alumni magazine explains that its signature ingredient, OFPMA, forms an invisible shield on each strand. The hero line, Perfect hair Day, is nicknamed PhD, a playful nod to all that science.

Then came the celebrity. Jennifer Aniston joined in 2012 and became a co-owner, working on brand development and creative direction.

What I like about Living Proof shampoo is that it is organized by result, not ingredient. Full, Restore, No Frizz, Curl and PhD each promise one clear outcome, and the current formulas skip silicones in favor of what the brand calls Sili-CLONE HairTech.

The first grid is six Living Proof shampoos and two dry shampoos. The second is the matching conditioners, a mask, two scalp treatments and a bond treatment.

My tip: these shampoos are silicone-free by design, so give your hair two or three washes to adjust if you are coming from a heavier formula.

Perfect Hair Day Shampoo is the flagship, made for all hair types and built to make hair healthier-feeling over time. It is the one I would start with if you have no particular problem and just want better hair days.

Full Shampoo is for fine, flat hair that needs body. Restore Shampoo is for dry or damaged hair, and No Frizz Shampoo is for anyone fighting humidity. Curl Shampoo is a low-lather formula that cleans curls gently without stripping their moisture.

Clarifying Detox Shampoo is the weekly reset. It removes product and pollution buildup, excess oil and heavy metal deposits from hard water, which is why it is the one to reach for when your hair suddenly looks dull.

Then there are the two dry shampoos, which are the part of the line I would try first if you wash often. Perfect hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo actually cleans hair while adding softness and shine, according to the brand. The Sheer Clean Dry Shampoo Mist is a non-aerosol, micellar-powered mist that looks invisible and feels weightless, which makes it a good pick for dark hair.

What I would skip: Clarifying Detox more than once a week. It is built to lift everything off, including the good stuff your conditioner left behind.

Every everyday shampoo in the first grid has a matching conditioner here. Perfect Hair Day Conditioner is the daily partner, Full Conditioner adds body without weight, Restore Conditioner repairs dry and damaged hair, and No Frizz Conditioner smooths and protects against humidity.

The Moisture Rescue Mask is an in-shower treatment that replenishes hair's moisture barrier for silky, soft hair. Use it once a week instead of your regular conditioner.

The Triple Bond Complex is the most technical product here. It is a weekly no-rinse treatment that the brand says makes hair 8x stronger and more resistant to future damage. If your hair is bleached or heat styled, this is the one I would add.

The two scalp products are newer. The Scalp Care Exfoliator is a skincare-inspired pre-shampoo treatment that gently exfoliates and visibly reduces dry scalp flakes. The Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment is a leave-in that soothes flaking, itching and irritation with instant hydration.

A pairing tip: use the Exfoliator before the Clarifying Detox Shampoo once a week, then follow with the Moisture Rescue Mask. That is a full reset for your scalp and your lengths.

What I would skip: the Triple Bond Complex if your hair is healthy and uncolored. It is designed for damage, and healthy hair will not notice much.

I think Living Proof shampoo is for anyone who likes to know why something works. The brand came out of MIT, the hero line is literally nicknamed PhD, and the formulas are organized by the result you want. Start with Perfect Hair Day if you are unsure, or pick Full, Restore or No Frizz if you know your issue. Add the Clarifying Detox weekly and a dry shampoo for the days in between. It is hair care built in a lab, but it feels very easy to live with.