Finding the perfect hair color for your olive skin tone can be difficult. That’s where I come in! Here are some of my suggestions to get you started on your journey to find that perfect shade.
What is the best hair color for olive skin? Whether you have natural or dyed hair, it’s important to know what colors will suit your complexion.
So we’ve put together this guide featuring some of the most popular hair colors and their compatibility with olive skin tones.
There are six main categories:
- Ash blonde,
- Caramel brunette,
- Chestnut brown,
- Strawberry blonde,
- Purple hues and,
- Pastel hues.
The first step is knowing how dark your natural shade is – if you have black or darkest brown hair then you’ll be able to pull off any of the bolder colors. If you’re light brown or lighter, then you can go a little more daring with brighter tones and pale shades.
If your hair is dyed, try going one or two shades lighter to ensure it’s not too drastic for your skin tone.
Please remember that these are only suggestions – the most important thing is finding a color you love and a shade that suits your skin tone.
Ash Blonde
I’ll start with ash blonde, one of the best hair colors for olive skin. Ash-blonde is a natural or dyed color between platinum and grey where the undertones are mainly cool.
If your complexion is warmer it’s important to avoid ash blonde as it could make you look dull. Try to avoid ash-blonde if you have pink undertones in your skin, as it will make them more visible.
On the other hand, if you have a cooler undertone this is one of the best hair colors for olive skin tones. It’s perfect for an everyday look or something more sultry and glamorous. If you do choose to go with ash blonde, try to avoid cool undertones as this could make it look a little washed out.
Caramel Brunette
One of the most versatile hair colors for any skin tone is caramel brown, and olive skin happens to be no exception. This gorgeous shade can either be natural or dyed – but please note that if you choose to go with this shade, you will need to maintain it every four to six weeks.
If your natural hair color is dark then you may want to avoid caramel brunette because it could make your face look dull. If your complexion happens to be pale or warmer in tone, this might be one of the best colors for olive skin because the contrast could help bring out your features.
Chestnut Brown
If you have olive skin, chestnut brown is another great option for natural or dyed hair. The richness of the color can warm up paler skin tones while giving fairer complexions a lift with its warm undertones
On the other hand, if you’re darker – regardless of your skin tone – you may want to avoid this color because it could make you look washed out.
Strawberry Blonde
Another one of the best hair colors for olive skin is strawberry blonde, which can either be natural or dyed. This brings together both elements of warmth and cool undertones in one shade, making it perfect for olive -toned skin.
For example, if you have cool blue undertones it’s best to avoid strawberry blonde because it could make you look dull and greyish. However, warmer complexions will suit this hair color very well as the contrast can work nicely for olive complexions.
Purple Hues
Warm undertones are also present in purple hues which are another one of the best hair colors for olive skin. This is because it comes across as more of a burnt red than burgundy or brown, bringing together warm and cool undertones in one color.
For instance, if your natural hair color is dark then you may want to avoid this shade because it could make you look dull. However, lighter complexions with warm undertones look fabulous in this color as it can complement olive skin tones very well.
Pastel Hues
Finally, the last of the best hair colors for olive skin is pastel hues – which can be natural or dyed – because they bring together both cool and warm undertones to create a color that looks equally gorgeous on olive complexions.
For instance, if you have a darker complexion it’s best to avoid pastel hues as pastels can wash out your complexion and make you look tired. If your natural hair color is lighter then this could work very well with an olive skin tone because pastels are perfect for bringing out your features.
Other things to consider
If you’re thinking of going blonde, there are a few things to consider. For example, if your complexion is darker or warmer then it could make you look washed out and tired – so it might not be the best option for olive skin tones.
On the other hand, ash-blonde can work nicely with a fairer complexion as it can help accentuate features.
Likewise, blonde hair with cool undertones is perfect for olive complexions as it can create contrast and bring out your features – but if you have very warm skin tones then ensure the tresses are also warm because this could make you look washed out.
Meanwhile, caramel brown is another great option for olive skin because it’s a versatile color that can work with a variety of different complexions.
Of course, if you have paler skin then it might be best to avoid caramel brown because fair complexions could make it look washed out. In addition, chestnut brown is also another one of the best colors for olive skin that looks equally gorgeous on fairer complexions because it works wonderfully with warm undertones.
Meanwhile, strawberry blonde is another hair color that’s considered to be one of the best for olive skin tones because the cool undertones can enhance warmer complexions while ensuring fairer complexions look brighter at the same time.
Last but not least, purple hues are yet another great option for those with olive skin because they can work beautifully with warm and cool undertones. For instance, deep purple or violet hues bring out warmer complexions while lighter shades – such as lavender or lilac – complement paler complexions perfectly.
Of course, if you have a darker complexion then it might be best to avoid this color because it could make you look washed out. In addition, blue hues can work wonderfully on olive skin as they complement warms and cools – but ensure the shade is not too bright otherwise it could wash you out.
Finally, pastel hues are also another option for olive complexions because they come across as more of a burnt red than orange or yellow. When it comes to lighter shades, you only need a touch of pastel in your hair to complement an olive skin tone – but avoid having too much if your complexion is darker because this could make you look washed out.
In terms of deeper shades, it’s best to stop at around two tones away from your natural color because any further and it could make you look tired.
For those with a fairer complexion, going two tones lighter or darker can work nicely because it can help accentuate features – but if your hair color is already pale then avoid bleaching it any further because this could damage your hair.
