Nail colors are so important for personal expression but it can be tricky choosing the best option for your skin tone. When it comes to nail polish, the color that works best with your skin tone is one that matches or is just a few shades darker than your skin color.
Olive skin can be cool-toned or warm-toned, so the color you choose should reflect this difference.
Cool-skinned people will look best in soft shades like pale pink and light purple while those with warmer skin tones will benefit from pinks with a hint of orange or bright reds.
You may also want to consider blues, greens, and browns as they go well with any type of skin shade.
Just remember to avoid bright yellows and oranges as they will only look better with cooler skin tones.
Also, some people believe that the lighter the skin tone or hair color, the more dimension you can achieve which is why many women with fair skin favor dark nail polishes like black or deep purple.
Women with olive skin do not need to be limited by these guidelines, but it is still a good idea to check if the color you wear looks better against cooler or warmer tones before buying and wearing them.
Let’s now look at some nail colors that would look great on olive skin tones:
Black
Black nail polish looks pretty much skin tone on any skin color. Adding a little shimmer can make it look more glamorous and avoid looking too somber though.
One black nail polish that I found looks amazing is this black glitter option.
Red
Red nails are a great option but you may need to be careful about the shade of red you wear as some colors can drain the color from an olive complexion. A great option for olive skin is tomato red or brick red nail polish.
This Revlon nail polish is a pretty red color that looks great for olive skin.
Green
A dark olive green nail polish can look really good against olive skin tones and can add a pop of color while still looking natural.
Duri do a nail polish in Woodland Green that is perfect for olive skin tones
Purple
Lighter purples like lavender or mauve look great against olive skin but avoid shades with blue undertones as they will make the skin look washed out. Try going for shades with pink or red undertones instead.
This Essie nail polish is a pretty lavender color that would look good on olive skin.
Nude
Nude nail color is another great option for olive skin tones. This look can be more casual but can also be dressed up with some fun accessories.
If you are interested in a few shades of nude you should look at this one from Modelones.
Navy blue
A navy blue nail polish is a great alternative to black if you want something with a bit more color. It can be dressed up or down and looks good on any skin tone.
This Sally Hansen navy blue nail polish is a great option for olive skin tones.
Burgundy
Burgundy is a great color to wear in the fall and winter months. It has a richness to it that can really make olive skin tone look beautiful.
The right burgundy color can be hard to find, but Vishine gives your 4 options that would look great on olive skin tones.
Gold
Gold nail polish can be tricky as it can either make your skin look more olive or take away some of the natural pigment. If you do decide to go with gold, make sure it is a metallic shade instead of one with more of a yellow base.
OPI has a great rose gold nail polish that would look perfect on olive skin.
White
If you want to do something more neutral, white nail polish can look great on olive skin tones. It’s brightest when paired with gold or silver accessories so be sure to keep this in mind if you are looking for the perfect party accessory.
This little-known brand does a pretty decent shade of white nail polish with silver highlights that would look great on olive skin.
Pale pink
Pale pink nail polish is another great option for olive skin tones as it has a softness to it that can complement the complexion. It’s also a very versatile color that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Sally Hansen trumps with this pale pink shade that looks great irrespective of skin tone.
Light purple
Light purple is another great color to try if you want something that is a little bit different than the standard black or red. It has a romantic feel to it that can be really flattering against olive skin tones.
This option of 6 shades from Beetles comes in colors that will make your skin look radiant.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different colors to choose from when it comes to polishes,
The safest colors to go with are soft pink shades; deep reds; and shades of green, blue and purple. Just remember to always test the color against your skin tone before wearing it out.
With a little trial and error, you’re sure to find the perfect nail color for your olive skin tone.
