What Colors Look Good On Olive Skin Tone?

Do you look up to public figures like Jessica Alba, Salma Hayek, and Kunal Nayyar?

All of them have one thing in common, and that is they have beautiful olive-toned skin. While they might rock all the outfits thanks to their stylists, we won’t be surprised if you make errors every now and then. Because truth be told, warm skin tones get washed out by the wrong colors pretty easily.

So, what can you do to make head turns when you walk down the streets? Let’s explore it further in this guide so you can pick the right colors for your olive-toned skin.

Understanding Olive Skin Tones

First off, let’s make it clear that olive skin tones are not synonymous with a “medium” skin tone. They cannot be dismissed as something between dark and fair, as they refer to the undertones of skin instead of intensity or depth of color. 

While the complexion that you see on the outside is an overtone, the color that appears underneath your skin is an undertone. Undertones affect your overall complexion and are of three types – cold, neutral, and warmer tones. 

Olive skin tones are classified as warm undertones and give your complexion a green tinge.

How To Know If You Have Olive Skin 

For those who are not sure whether they have olive skin, there are some easy ways to find out. First of all, pay attention to the color of your veins because if they appear green, you likely have warm undertones. However, if they seem blue or a mix of green and blue, you most probably have cool or neutral undertones.

Once you have figured out your undertone, closely observe the color of your skin. While pale skin and dark skin are clearly distinguishable, the rest of the skin tones can seem ambiguous. But one clear distinction of olive skin tone is an olive green tinge. 

People with olive skin usually have dark hair ranging from brown to dirty blonde and dark eyes. Their natural skin color has olive and light brown hues, especially under the sun.

Colors For Olive Skin Tones

People with olive-toned skin sometimes find it difficult to choose colors that bring out the best in them but we have got you covered with our suggestions. Next time you have trouble picking a dress or makeup, remember the following hues can make you look radiant:

1. Purple

To begin with, we have the color that signifies luxury and grace – purple. This color is ideal for those who have a slightly cool undertone and light olive skin. 

For a casual day out, light shades of purple, such as lavender and mauve, work wonders. But if you are looking for something more chic and elegant for a dinner date, royal purple and violet are the perfect choices.

Purple is also an excellent choice for an olive complexion when it comes to makeup. A violet eyeshadow can make your brow bone more flattering, while with thin lips it is best to steer clear of dark purple lipsticks. 

2. Orange

One of the most flattering colors for olive-skinned people is orange, especially if you have golden undertones. This happy shade can make you look lively and playful, so it’s perfect for gym wear and fun activities like bowling and arcade gaming. 

3. Chocolate Brown

Next up on the list is chocolate brown, as neutral shades are the best for olive complexions. Brown or earthy hues are rich and deep that make them perfect for colder months. Another benefit is they go well with a lot of other colors, giving you tons of options to mix and match.

4. Turquoise

Turquoise is a cool color that balances out the warmth of olive skin and it can enhance your natural beauty by reflecting more light on your face. If you are looking to add a pop to your wardrobe without looking over the top, turquoise fits the bill. Throw some metallic or brassy shades into the mix, and you can have an out-of-the-box bikini look for pool parties and beaches.

4. White

Getting back to the neutral shades, whites and off-whites provide a natural glow to olive skin color. Plus, they can keep you cool in summer as they reflect most of the light that falls on them.

5. Green

Be it warm green or deep emerald green, nothing matches a green shade on olive skin. As olive skin tones already have a green tinge to them, these hues further add to the radiance. Additionally, they signify wealth and luxury on the color wheel, so next time you need to attend a fancy event, you know which color to pick. 

6. Golden Yellow

If you want to make a statement but don’t feel comfortable in red, golden yellow is the next best choice. It’s a happy-go-lucky color that can make you stand out but won’t be as in-your-face as red.

7. Red

It is a myth that reds aren’t meant for olive-skinned beauties, as picking the right shade can make you feel like your favorite movie stars. Instead of bright colors that make the eyes pop, you should choose the middle ground, and by that we mean more subdued shades like wine red or maroon.

8. Blue

If you have light skin with olive undertones, you can go all cool with blue shades. While blue is generally better suited for cooler skin tones, some shades, like royal blue, look amazing on light olive skin.

Verdict

No doubt choosing the right clothes for olive skin is a tricky task, not to mention finding the right foundation and makeup colors. But you can never go wrong with some shades, such as emerald green, purple, and off-white.

If you want to grab attention, golden yellow and wine red are the best options or try turquoise for a more vibrant look.