No More Guessing! This Is How You Tell If You Have Olive Skin

What Exactly Makes an Olive Skin Tone an Olive Skin Tone?

So what is an olive skin tone? If you’re wondering if it has anything to do with the color of an olive, you’re on the right track. Color analysis expert and professional makeup artist Bethany Brenneman tells IPSY, “Olive skin tone is a skin color that has a slight olive-green cast to the surface color. You can range from fair to deep, but there is an olive-like look to the skin's overtone.” Yes, pale olive skin can exist, and so can dark brown olive skin.

Color analyst and personal stylist Brooke Ann says that when we talk about olive skin, we’re often talking about overtones. So no, your olive complexion doesn’t have green undertones. “Olive skin tone is an overtone, meaning it's the surface color we notice first when looking at someone’s skin.” Because it doesn’t have olive undertones, this is why the complexion can range from light olive skin tones to dark olive skin tones (and why it’s also trickier to figure out).

The green tint will be slight; you won’t appear green like Elphaba from Wicked. “A true olive skin tone complexion will appear slightly muted, a gray earthy appearance with a green-blue or gray-yellow undertone,” bridal hair and makeup artist Amber Chasteen says.

A Quick Guide to Determining If You Have an Olive Skin Tone

After sun exposure, do you experience tan skin rather than a sunburn? That’s one way to know you may have an olive skin tone. Most people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian ancestry also have an olive skin tone. So if you identify as one of those ethnicities, you may fit into this skin tone category.

Chasteen shares that “you can tell your skin tone by looking at the veins on your wrists and body. If they appear more green than blue, you have an olive skin tone.”

Another way to determine your skin tone is by foundation shade matching. Brenneman shares, “You might notice that makeup foundations often look too pink or too yellow, and neutral foundations, while a better match, don't match perfectly.” Other makeup products can help you determine your skin tone, too. “You might have an olive skin tone if warm red lipsticks like chili or coral look too orange, harsh, or light on you,” says Ann.

Of course, the color analysis experts also recommend a color test. Brenneman tells us that if wearing overly warm colors (like yellows, reds, and oranges) makes you look “sickly,” you may have olive skin. Ann shares that “warm earthy tones like brown may appear dull or ‘off’ against olive skin, a sign that you might lean toward a cool undertone.” We’ll get into that in just a second. But before we do, we want to leave you with some good news. There are colors and color palettes that look gorgeous on olive skin tones, including “jewel tones typically found in winter color palettes,” says Ann.

But Wait, Does Olive Skin Have a Warm Undertone or a Cool Undertone?

We’re so glad you asked! Typically, olive skin tends to fall in the cool undertone category. So while it is generally safe to assume you have a cool skin tone, that’s not always the case for everyone. Some olive skin types may have neutral undertones or warm undertones.

The best way to uncover your olive skin undertone is by looking at your veins. “Cool undertones have a hint of blue, while warm undertones have a hint of yellow,” says Ann. For neutral undertones, you’ll likely have a blend of both blue and green pigments which may be a little tricky to determine. This is when Brenneman’s fact that “90% [of people with olive skin] tend to have a cool undertone” should help put you at ease.

The Best Colors for an Olive Skin Tone

The key to wearing the right colors for your complexion is to pay attention to your undertones. In the case of your olive complexion (and the fact that you likely have cool undertones), cool colors are the way to go. “Opt for shades like gray, taupe, mauve, berry, and silver,” says Ann. “These tones will harmonize beautifully with your natural coloring.” Silver jewelry girls, rejoice!

The shades you pick don’t necessarily need to be bright, either. Pastels can work so long as they stick within the cool color range. Brenneman is a fan of neutral colors because their cool tones can make olive complexions pop. Of course, you’ll want to consider your hair and eye color when it comes to discovering the colors that work best for you.

These same colors can also be used in your makeup, though more for your eyes and lips than your foundation, concealer, or bronzer. Still, you can use this knowledge to help you discover the right shades of these products that will work with your cool undertones and olive skin tone.

The Worst Colors for an Olive Skin Tone

While these colors technically aren’t horrible, they just won’t do you justice. “If you have a cool-leaning olive skin tone, you may want to avoid warm tones like browns, coral, earthy shades, and gold, as they can make your complexion look dull. Because these are the color qualities you naturally don't carry within your skin,” Ann notes. Sorry if you’re a gold jewelry girly, but it may be time to switch to silver.

Again, Brenneman mentions that “extremely warm colors” should be avoided as often as possible because they “can accentuate a strong olive skin tone and often make them look sickly when makeup-free.” We’re just trying to warn you so you can put your best face forward.

When in Doubt, Get a Color Analysis

We shared a ton of useful information to help you discover if you have an olive skin tone or not—and we completely understand that it can be entirely overwhelming. If you’re still looking at your wrist trying to figure out what color your veins are, that’s totally fine. This is when it pays to see a color analysis expert like Ann or Brenneman, who can help you determine your skin tone and which colors work best for you—regardless of whether you have blonde hair or brown hair, green eyes or brown eyes.

Ann is quick to point out that figuring out your undertone is especially confusing for the average eye, which is why she recommends getting a professional color analysis. “It will become your lifelong tool,” she stresses.

Additionally, Brenneman says that a color analysis session is great for discovering the right makeup for you. So if you need help uncovering the right foundation for your skin tone, book one now. “[They] help you learn what makeup colors [can] brighten your skin and counteract the olive cast so you feel vibrant, healthy, and confident,” shares Brenneman.