Quick answer: In this two-part update, Nikol Johnson shares her honest five-month experience with a daily hair-growth supplement — less shedding and noticeably denser hair — then walks through a professional color analysis that placed her in the Summer season. Her big takeaway: treat your color season as a helpful guide, not a rigid rule.
Key takeaways
- After five consistent months on a women's hair-growth supplement, Nikol saw less shedding and denser, healthier-feeling hair.
- Supplements work gradually with your hair's growth cycle, so consistency over several months matters more than any quick fix.
- A professional color analysis placed Nikol in the Summer season and clarified which shades flatter her silver-gray hair.
- Summer palettes lean cool and soft — think navy, cream, dusty pink, berry, and plum for both wardrobe and makeup.
- Your color season is a guide, not a cage: Nikol still happily pushes it with the bolder colors she loves.
Hey ladies! This one is a little different — it is part hair-wellness check-in and part color lesson. I have spent the last several months being far more intentional about caring for my gray hair, and I finally booked a professional color analysis to answer a question a lot of you keep asking in the comments: which season am I, and have I been wearing the wrong colors all along? Here is what I learned.
What did five months on a hair supplement actually do?
Going silver is beautiful, but it takes real work — the frizz, the texture, keeping it from looking dry. On top of that, two stressful years took a toll on my hair, especially thinning around my temples. I started a daily women's hair-growth supplement (Nutrafol Women's Balance, formulated for women 45+) back in the spring, and my mom joined me so we could compare notes. By month four to five I noticed real density and much less shedding in the shower. Results build slowly and vary from person to person, so give any supplement three to six months of consistent use, and if you are dealing with significant hair loss, talk to your doctor about the underlying causes first.
What is a professional color analysis, and why did I try one?
So many of you comment that you are a summer, a winter, a spring, or a fall — and that you cannot wear this or that. I wanted to know my own answer, so I found a House of Colour consultant near me and booked a session. It runs about two to three hours: you arrive with no makeup and a white top so nothing competes with your face, and the consultant drapes color swatches near your skin to see which ones bring your features forward and which ones cast shadows. The verdict? I fall into the Summer category. A few surprises came up — I was told black and stark white are not my best — but I am keeping my classic black cashmere and white shirts because I love how they pop my hair. You leave with a little swatch book to take shopping and into your closet.
What colors suit gray hair and a Summer palette?
Going gray shifts your undertone and contrast, so the palette that worked at 35 can fight you later. My Summer swatches lean cool and soft: navy, cream, dusty pink, berry, and soft blues, with soft yellows rather than bright ones. The same logic carries into makeup. For a cool Summer palette, I lean into shades like:
- Rosy and berry lips — a plum-leaning shade such as the NikRay lipstick flatters cool, silver-toned hair.
- Soft, smoky eyes — purples, lavender, soft pink, browns, and smoky grays and greens, like the plum tones in the Sweet Carol eyeshadow palette.
- Fresh flushes of blush in soft pink or warm apricot for a lit-from-within finish.
Should you feel boxed in by your color season?
Here is the part I feel strongly about: your season is a set of pillars, not a prison. I would be bored to tears wearing only pinks and pastels, so I still reach for my bright yellow, my black, and bolder deeps, burgundies, and red-oranges when I feel like it. Use your analysis to know what naturally pops your hair, skin, and eyes — then color outside the box whenever you want. Confidence always wins over rules.
The bottom line
Healthy hair takes consistency, and knowing your color season makes getting dressed (and choosing makeup) so much easier — as long as you treat it as a guide, not a limit. If you want to build a cool-toned Summer look, start with our lipstick and eyeshadow collections, or browse all of makeup to find the shades that make your features shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from a hair-growth supplement?
Most hair-growth supplements are designed to work with your natural growth cycle, so results build gradually rather than overnight. Nikol noticed less shedding within the first few months and denser, healthier hair by month four to five. Consistency is key — take it daily as directed and give it three to six months before judging.
Do hair supplements work for thinning hair over 50?
Thinning hair after 50 is common and can stem from hormones, stress, and nutrition. Nikol and her mother both saw improvement over five consistent months, though results vary by person and cause. Supplements support overall hair health rather than cure loss, so anyone with significant thinning should also talk to their doctor.
What is a professional color analysis?
It is a professional session, like the House of Colour draping Nikol did, that assigns you a seasonal palette. A consultant holds fabric swatches near your bare, makeup-free face to see which undertones brighten your complexion and which dull it. You leave with a personalized swatch book to guide your clothing and makeup choices.
What colors look best with gray or silver hair?
Gray and silver hair usually pairs beautifully with cool, clear shades — navy, cream, dusty pink, berry, plum, and soft blues. Nikol's analysis placed her in the Summer season, which leans soft and cool. For makeup, think rosy and plum lips plus smoky gray, lavender, and soft pink eyeshadows. A personal analysis fine-tunes it further.
Do I have to follow my color season exactly?
No. Nikol treats her season as helpful pillars, not strict rules. It is a reliable guide for what naturally flatters your hair, skin, and eyes, but you can still explore bolder shades you love. Wear what makes you feel confident — the palette is a starting point, not a cage.
