Struggling to find a foundation that never quite matches? You’re not alone. If your skin always looks too pink, too yellow, or just off, you might have an olive undertone — a unique and often misunderstood skin tone.
In this post, I will be breaking down everything you need to know about the olive undertone: what is it, how to find out if you have one, common mistakes people make, and who’s most likely to have this beautiful, neutral-green undertone.
🔍 How to Know If You Have an Olive Undertone
Think you might be olive? I made this checklist for you!
✅ 1. Foundations Always Look Off
Even if you’re matched to a warm or neutral shade, it might still look too orange, too pink, or just… wrong. Olive skin often needs foundations with neutral-to-green undertones, which are rare in most makeup lines.
✅ 2. You Tan Easily, Rarely Burn
Olive undertones usually go hand-in-hand with medium to tan skin that tans quickly and rarely burns — but not always!
✅ 3. You Can Wear Gold and Silver
If both jewelry tones look good on you, you may have a neutral olive undertone. We have some great articles about which type of metals you should wear.
✅ 4. Vein Test Is Confusing
Can’t tell if your veins are green or blue? That “in-between” look is a big hint you’re olive. The vein test doesn’t work for everyone, so do not take it as the best one.
✅ 5. Colors Look “Weird” on You
Certain shades — especially cool pinks or warm oranges — may look too harsh or make your skin look dull or sickly. Olive skin tends to look best in muted, earthy tones (think terracotta, plum, olive green, etc.). Also it is possible you are a Dark Winter!
❌ Common Mistakes: Why Olive Skin Is Often Misdiagnosed
Many people with olive undertones are misclassified as:
- Warm-toned: Because they tan easily or have golden skin — but the green/gray undertone throws things off.
- Cool-toned: Because certain foundations look too yellow — so people assume they need pinker tones, which look even worse.
- Neutral: While olive is technically a type of neutral, it’s not the same as a classic “neutral beige” undertone.
Bottom line: If nothing ever seems to match quite right — you’re probably olive.
🌎 Who Typically Has Olive Undertones?
Olive undertones show up across many backgrounds and ethnicities, especially in:
- Mediterranean (Italian, Greek, Spanish)
- Middle Eastern
- South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi)
- Latinx (especially from Central & South America)
- Some East Asian and Southeast Asian skin tones
But here’s the deal: anyone of any race can have an olive undertone. It’s not about race — it’s about undertone, which is separate from surface skin color.
🧬 Is Olive an “Underlying” Undertone?
Yes! Your undertone is underlying, meaning it doesn’t change with sun exposure or skin treatments. While your skin tone can tan or lighten, your undertone (like olive) stays the same. That’s why finding your true undertone is key to choosing the right:
Clothing colors
Foundation
Concealer
Blush & lipstick shades
Olive skin tips 