Olive skin

Olive skin occurs at many depths, from light to deep. Its cast comes from a mix of yellow and green tones, and the undertone beneath it is most often described as neutral or warm, and sometimes as cool. Because of that mix, olive skin can look quite different in daylight and under warm indoor light.

For lipstick, the colour-theory guideline used on this site starts from the undertone underneath. Neutral-toned shades, such as true reds, are a dependable starting point, and many muted warm shades, such as brick reds, terracotta nudes and warm browns, sit close to the skin’s own cast. Very pale, cool pinks contrast strongly with a green cast, which some wearers like and others avoid.

When a shade page says a lipstick suits neutral undertones, that guidance usually applies to olive skin too. A swatch on the skin in daylight shows more than any rule.