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9 Best Foundations For Olive Skin - Starting at $23
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Time to read 7 min
As someone who has olive skin, I know how hard it is to find the right foundation shade that matches our unique skin tone. Neutrals are either too ashy, and warm tones are too orange!
Luckily a lot of makeup companies have launched olive tones in their formula making it easier for us to find a good match. But, not all foundations are created equally. Some brands have olive tones, but they either come out too orange or flat out ugly.
I have taken the liberty to share some of my favorite foundations for olive skin (some that I swear by) and have repurchased multiple times! Lets get into it!
9 Best Foundations for Olive Skin
1. HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage
I have heard nothing but great things about Lady Gaga's new brand Haus Labs. I just got the Haus Labs concealer and I am obsessed. I used to wear the Kosas revealer concealer, but this one is 10x better.
Her best-seller seems to be this foundation for a couple of reasons: there is a wide shade range including olive undertones, has a natural finish, it uses clean ingredients, and reduces redness with fermented arnica!
One customer left a review and said, “Best match I have ever gotten. I am fair with olive undertones and pretty much everything looks red or peach on my skin - but this foundation is a perfect match. The cool colors are olive!!”
Sephora
2. PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Foundation
I was looking through Reddit and people with olive skin tones kept bringing this specific one up. It's known to have medium-coverage while feeling very lightweight on the skin.
One reditt user said the following, “The best foundation I’ve found that doesn’t oxidize and has a true olive undertone is this. Armani Luminous Silk is my second favorite.”
Make sure to pick the neutral olive undertones swatch.
Sephora
3. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
This has over 7,000 reviews!!
One verified buyer said, “I have a light olive skin tone and it's hard for find foundations that work for me. It took me a few tries to figure out if I liked this or not, but after wearing it for a ten hour shift and it still looked great I was convinced! For those that think that it's not a good idea, just give it a chance. If you can get through at least ten hours without it looking cakey that'd be great for you! Also use a primer, it makes everything stay that much longer.”
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Amazon
4. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
According to Reddit and Tiktok people swear by this. It's silky smooth, lightweight, glowy, but also has the perfect amount of coverage.
One buyer said, “Reviewing shade 6 olive: Gorgeous. Absolutely the best foundation I have ever tried, by far! Keeping in mind that I am someone who loves minimal makeup and light coverage, this is the loveliest product I own. It’s lightweight, light-coverage, and gives the impression that you are simply someone with phenomenally perfect skin that glows from within. Not to mention the fact that this is one of the only accurately labeled’Olive’ founds on the market! Personally speaking, this is the only foundation I will ever purchase. It’s is just that good. If you’re looking for full coverage and matte, steer clear, lol.”
Sephora
5. Revealer Skin-Improving SPF 25 with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide
A skin-reviving foundation that has a natural finish to it. This is a good everyday foundation for a natural glowy look. It also has SPF in it!
One customer said, “In love with this product… I have a very olive undertone and Kosas is the only brand that carters to that. And the foundation itself is AMAZING! My skin but better vibes.”
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Revolve
6. Dior Forever Fluid Skin Glow
24 hour wear, radiant medium to full coverage and hydration. It has 86% of skincare ingredients which is supposed to visibly improve skin overtime!
Ulta Beauty
7. Chanel LES BEIGES
I am olive skin and I have been using this foundation for the past 4 years. If you're looking for light to medium coverage and a very glowy/natural look then this is for you. I have tried all the high end ones, and ALWAYS come back to this one (even the giorgio armani one).
A verified customer had a similar experience and said, “Been wearing this for years. The coverage is great without it looking heavy. Color match is perfect and it wears well. Highly recommend.”
Chanel
8. Il Makiage Flawless Foundation
I see this brand on my Instagram all the time!! It's a streak-free foundation that smoothes and evens the skin with an advanced, innovative formula for a flawless, uniform natural matte finish. Available in 50 shades (includes olive undertones) for all skin tones. This product has over 900,000 reviews!! Omg.
If you don't know you're shade, they have an option to find your shade match on their own website!
Il Makiage
9. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
Guys, this foundation has over 17,000 reviews!!! Rihannah really knows what she's doiing
One verified buyer said, “Amazing foundation! My skin has olive/golden undertones that are very difficult to match to. Most other brands that I have tried ended up looking orange. This one has a medium coverage however, it is buildable. This is also the first formula that I have tried that stays on my skin all day without melting off.”
Sephora
Understanding Undertones
Not all olive skin tones are creating equally!! Understanding the undertones of your olive skin is a crucial step in achieving a harmonious and flattering appearance. Undertones play a significant role in determining the right foundation shade and makeup choices that complement your natural complexion. Olive skin typically falls into three categories of undertones: warm, cool, and neutral.
Warm Undertones
Olive skin with warm undertones exudes a golden or yellowish hue. Individuals in this category will notice that foundations with warm undertones enhance the natural warmth of their skin, creating a radiant and cohesive look. Choosing makeup products that align with warm undertones ensures a seamless blend with the inherent golden tones, contributing to a vibrant and sun-kissed appearance.
Cool Undertones
For those with olive skin and cool undertones, the underlying tones lean towards pink or blue. Opting for foundations with cool undertones helps balance the warmth present in olive skin, providing a more neutral and even complexion. Makeup choices that complement cool undertones contribute to a harmonious and natural look, enhancing the beauty of olive skin without overshadowing its inherent cool undertones.
Neutral Undertones
Individuals with neutral undertones in their olive skin enjoy the flexibility of having a balanced mixture of warm and cool tones. This versatility allows for a broader range of foundation shades and makeup choices. Neutral undertones provide the freedom to experiment with different color palettes, making it easier to find the perfect match that enhances the natural beauty of olive skin without emphasizing specific warm or cool undertones.
Choosing the Right Foundation Shade
When it comes to olive skin, selecting the right shade is important for achieving a nice natural look. This involves understanding the importance of a matching foundation and identifying your undertone accurately.
Tips for Identifying Your Undertone
To choose the right shade, it's crucial to accurately identify your undertone. A helpful tip is to examine the veins on your wrist: greenish veins often indicate warm undertones, while bluish veins suggest cool undertones. Those with neutral undertones may have a blend of both colors. Understanding your undertone provides a color for selecting makeup products that complement and highlight the natural warmth or coolness of your olive skin.
Testing Different Shades
To make sure you find the perfect shade match, apply it on your jawline or the back of your hand in natural light. This allows you to see how the formula interacts with your skin tone both indoor and outdoor lighting.
Best Foundations for Olive Skin
When it comes to olive skin, choosing the right brand is key. There are so many makeup companies these days that tailor to olive skin with the choice between a matte or dewy finish.
Popular Brands
Several renowned cosmetic brands have recognized the unique needs of individuals with olive skin tones. My favorite brands include Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Fenty, and Haus Labs. They offer a diverse range of foundation shades designed specifically for olive undertones. These brands have gained popularity for their commitment to inclusivity and their understanding of the complexities of olive skin, providing options that cater to various undertones within the olive spectrum.
Ingredients to Look for
When selecting a foundation for olive skin, paying attention to the ingredients is essential. Opt for formulas that re enriched with hydrating components like hyaluronic acid, which helps maintain the skin's moisture balance. Additionally, antioxidants, such as vitamin E and C, contribute to skin health and protection. Avoiding formulas with harsh chemicals and fragrances ensures a gentle application that suits the sensitivity often associated with olive skin.
Matte vs. Dewy Finish
The choice between a matte or dewy finish depends on personal preference and the desired look. Matte finishes are ideal for those who prefer a velvety, shine-free appearance. On the other hand, individuals seeking a luminous and radiant finish may opt for foundations with a dewy finish. These formulas both give off a healthy glow, enhancing the natural radiance of olive skin and creating a youthful appearance.
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