Olive skin is a beautiful, natural hue that can be difficult to enhance with makeup. Orange blush or eye shadow can be a great way to add some color and brightness to olive skin. However, it’s important to choose the right shade of orange to avoid looking washed out or unnatural.
Here are a few tips for using orange makeup on olive skin tones.
Blush is a great place to start by using orange makeup on olive skin. When choosing a blush, look for a shade that has some red undertones.
One of the best shades for a natural-looking flush on olive skin is Benefit Benetint. This reddish hue can work as either a blush or lip stain, and it looks great with most make-up looks.
Another option is to use a cream blush instead of a powder formula.
Not only does cream blush last longer than powder, it also tends to have better-staying power on oily skin. Try Tarte Cheek Stain in Glisten, which is a sheer pinky-peach shade that works well on olive skin tones.
Cream blushes also work well if you’re going for a bolder color. You can apply a deeper orange color without looking too harsh by mixing in some foundation first, then applying the cream blush
One of the best matte shades to try on olive skin is NARS Gina, a peachy orange shade that has become popular with celebrities and models over the last few seasons.
The Tarte Cheek Stain in Glisten works well on olive skin tones as either a sheer brightening color or a more intense pop of color for dark skin tones (light-medium skin tone shown here).
Eye shadow is another option when using orange makeup on olive skin. Look for shades that have yellow undertones, which will complement olive pigment better than shades with red undertones.
What Colours complement olive skin?
Olive skin has a yellow undertone, ranging from pinkish to golden olive. Olive skin needs colors that can make it look healthy and awake rather than dull, sallow, or washed out.
Colors that will complement olive skin are:
Navy Blue – In both lighter and darker shades. Navy blue is a brilliant anchor color for all complexions because it’s the perfect shade of contrast to most other colors in an outfit.
This is why it’s been used so successfully by designers who present their new collections on models parading up and down runways around the world. We’re seeing navy blue everywhere this season, not just in classic tailored pieces but also in sexy evening wear and daring separates.
Lavender Purple – Give your skin a beautiful healthy radiance and make you look gorgeous. A soft pinky lavender will lift and brighten your skin tone, making it appear fresh and dewy, and well-rested. This is the ideal ‘pink’ for olive skin; it won’t lean too cool or too warm.
Mocha Brown – Again in both lighter and darker shades. Burnt orangey-brown works perfectly to neutralize olive skin without washing you out. Because the undertone isn’t too cool, it’s ideal for making your complexion look balanced and radiant.
Teals/Light Blues (like Aquamarine) – Teal can be difficult to pull off but if done right can look awesome. If you want to wear teal, aim for jewel tones rather than pastels which have a tendency to wash out olive complexions.
Lighter Pink Shades – Pale pinks give you a sweet innocence while light coral pink gives a healthy glow. It is important to remember that in order to pull off orange successfully, you want to avoid shades with strong yellow undertones (like mustard) which will look too harsh against olive skin.
What Colours Don’t Work With Olive Skin?
Avoid light pinks, salmon, and peaches as these colors will drain your skin of color. Also avoid beige, tans, and khaki browns which are too yellow – they’ll make you look sallow.
Colors that are best to avoid are:
Champagne/pale yellow – You want to avoid shades too light in tone as they will enhance any blue tones in your skin and make you look even more washed out. If you have pale olive skin, this can be particularly noticeable.
Strawberry Blonde/Caramel Highlights – These are the kiss of death for olive skin. They will look fantastic at first but then the contrast between your hair and skin will be highlighted, making you look sallow.
Light brown – This is an awful choice for olive skin because it’s too warm in tone, especially if it has any red or gold in it. If this is all you have in your coloring, try to avoid wearing brown at all costs.
Reddish Blonde hair color – Again, the key is to avoid anything too warm or bright as this will make your skin look sallow and tired. Instead, aim for ash blonde which has a grey-brown base to it and falls somewhere between strawberry and dark blonde in tone.
Peach – Peach is a great color for those with fair skin but on olive, it has the same effect as pale yellow and will make you look washed out.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to stick with colors that make your olive skin glow and show off its radiance. You should avoid colors that don’t enhance your olive skin because they can make you look sallow and tired.
If you want to use a color that isn’t listed above, do a patch test on your skin first to make sure it doesn’t clash with your natural undertones. If you’re not sure, stick to warmer autumnal shades including golds and browns which are flattering for all.
As always, pay attention to your natural undertones, the colors that make you feel great, and most importantly of all – wear what suits YOU.
