Finding the best lip colors for olive skin tones can be a little tricky considering this shade isn’t as common as the rest of the skin tones. It is quite a unique skin color that has warm undertones – it falls somewhere between the undertones of green or yellow. The secret to selecting the perfect color is to complement these tones, making your lips stand out and creating a visually appealing look. Furthermore, the right contrast can add depth and dimension to your face, enhancing your overall makeup look. To help one choose lip color for olive skin, our contributor Maya Adivi, suggests, “It's always important to take the full picture into account when doing your makeup, regardless of skin tone. For example, if your eye shadow is already very dark, an equally dark lipstick might clash.” 

Lipstick is a powerful tool for self-expression. Therefore, choosing the right lip color will allow you to showcase your personality, style, and individuality. There are countless shades and types of lip makeup available in the market, and we want you to find one that will make your skin glow.  Whether your olive skin is light or deep, our list of curated shades is sure to have the perfect lip color that will bring out the natural warmth in your complexion. Each has a distinctive texture, hue, feel, and color theory. We get it, it can be a little difficult and puzzling to select the right one. We are here to help you out with a list of the perfect lip colors that will make you stand out in the best possible way!

Olive skin tones have a stunning golden glow, something very similar to what you would get after spending a sunny day at the beach – it's quite warm and with hints of green or yellow. This skin tone is most commonly seen in individuals who are from the Mediterranean, Middle East, or those from certain Asian backgrounds. If you're blessed enough to have olive skin, earthy tones, and warm hues are the ideal lip shades for you to look your best.

The following is a mini guide to help you understand undertones better:

Cool Undertones: They have red, blue, or pinkish tones

Warm Undertones: They feature orangish, peachy, honeyed yellowed, or golden tones

Neutral Undertones: This is a mixture of both cool and warm undertones

• 1
  Best Full Coverage

  BestLand LIQUID MATTE LIPSTICK - Set Of 6

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Get a luxurious and intense velvet matte finish with BestLand’s pack of six lipsticks. They are highly pigmented with the goodness of Moringa oil, raspberry seed oil, and vitamin E that easily glide onto your lips. In addition to that, each shade is perfect for olive skin tone with a warm undertone. They have a rich and moisturizing formula that help in replenishing, moisturizing, and soothing your lips. Hence, you can apply these matte shades without worrying about chapped and dry lips. Just use a lip balm as a base and you are all set to rock the look for eight hours.

Skin Type: All

Color: Set A

Finish: Matte

2

Best Hydration Properties

REVLON Super Lustrous Lipstick - Love That Red

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Packed with the benefits of avocado oil and vitamin E, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in the shade Love That Red will enhance your olive brown skin tone. It will bring out the warmth in your complexion and will make you stand out. Talking about its texture and formula, it has a creamy consistency that delivers vibrant, smooth, and fuller-looking lips. In addition to that, it is formulated with microfine pigments that are rich with color yet doesn’t feel heavy on the lips.

Skin Type: Not mentioned 

Color: Love That Red

Finish: Creamy

3

Best Natural Ingredients

wet n wild Silk Finish Lipstick - Blind Date

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Create the perfect pout with Wet n Wild’s silk finish lipstick that is highly pigmented and formulated with vitamins A and E along with castor oil, aloe vera, and macadamia nut oil to make your lips feel hydrated and smooth. This highly-pigmented lipstick delivers a long-lasting bold color with just one swipe. You can apply it directly or with a lip liner. Based on our observation on different skin shades, this vibrant pick will complement Middle Eastern skin tones beautifully.

Skin Type: All

Color: Blind Date 

Finish: Natural

4

Best Matte Finish

peripera INK VELVET - Rosy Nude

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Combining the warmth of a nude lipstick shade with a subtle touch of rosy undertones, Peripera’s ink velvet lip tint creates a natural and flattering look on olive-toned people. It is lightweight and doesn’t make your lips feel sticky or clumpy. It comes with a precision applicator to shape and line your lips for a precise and perfectly applied lip color. This is hands down one of the best lipsticks for olive skin as it will maintain its natural appearance while exuding a light pink color.

Skin Type: Combination 

Color: Rosy Nude

Finish: Velvet

Quick Tip

This lipstick is known to dry very quickly so you need to blend it right after the application. This ensures that you get an even finish with no streaks.

5

Best for Glam Looks

QiBest Matte Liquid Lipstick - Set Of 8

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QiBest set of eight lippies offer versatility as it includes seven pigmented matte shades and one exclusive moisturizing lip plumper that adds a glossy finish if you are bored with matte lips. Their new formula feels like a cloud on your lips and brings an ultra-matte effect without drying or emphasizing your lip lines. In addition to that, the creamy texture spreads evenly for a lightweight mousse sensation with minimal transfer once set. Lastly, it is lightweight without any feeling of tightness or dryness on your lips throughout the day.

Skin Type: All

Color: Assorted 

Finish: Velvet matte

6

Best Smudge-proof

REVLON COLORSTAY OVERTIME - Bare Maximum

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Revlon’s liquid lipstick with clear lip gloss promises to last up to 16 hours and the pigment stays vibrant without smudging, bleeding, or feathering throughout the day. In addition to that, 99% of its ingredients possess moisturizing properties, which include vitamin E and chamomile extract. You have to apply the liquid lipstick first and let it sit for 30 seconds before brushing on the gloss to add moisture and shine. You can reapply the coat as and when needed.

Skin Type: All

Color: Bare Minimum 

Finish: Glossy

7

Best Texture

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK COLOR SENSATIONAL - RUBY FOR ME

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Olive skin tones often look stunning with true reds or reds that have warm undertones. This vibrant, rich red shade by Maybelline delivers a satin look while leaving your lips soft and smooth with every swipe. It has a uniquely shaped bullet designed that hugs the curves of your lips. When we tried this product, we found out that the lipstick is highly pigmented and it is packed with all natural ingredients like shea butter, sesame seed oil, and castor oil. 

Skin Type: Normal 

Color: Ruby for Me

Finish: Satin matte

8

Best Cost-effective

COLORGIRL CONTINUOUS COLOR LIPSTICK - Smokey Rose

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Play up your look with Covergirl’s Continuous Color lipstick in the shade smokey rose that will enhance your Middle Eastern skin tone and make you look more radiant. It contains a moisture-rich formula that is also long lasting while protecting your skin from dryness. And the best part about this lipstick shade is that it has a creamy texture and seals in the moisture with the help of vitamins A and E. Just one swipe and your lips will look just as beautiful as they feel.

Skin Type: Normal

Color: Smokey Rose

Finish: Cream

9

Best Nude Shade

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK COLOR SENSATIONAL - CRAZY FOR COFFEE

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Maybelline New York's lip color in this nude shade is perfect for those who have a cool undertone. It is subtle but it consists of pure pigments for a beautiful, lasting look. When we tested this product, we found out that the rich, creamy formula with nourishing honey nectar provides a velvety feel, while moisturizing your lips at the same time. It is stunning, it is smooth, and it is sensational! This is a must-have for those who prefer a no-makeup look and like to keep it minimal.

Skin Type: All

Color: Crazy for Coffee 

Finish: Cream

10

Clinique Almost Lipstick - Black Honey

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Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in the shade black honey is a cult-favorite and is one of the best colors for olive skin tone. While it may appear dark in the tube, it is actually a sheer, deep berry shade with red undertones. Also, the formula allows the natural lip color to show through, resulting in a flattering and subtle wash of color. The best part is that it effortlessly adapts to all undertones making it a versatile cosmetic. Go ahead and add a touch of richness and depth to your lips without it overpowering your entire look.

Skin Type: All

Color: Cranberry 

Finish: Sheer

Quick Tip

To get a more natural, stained look, blot your lips with a tissue after application. This gives it a subtle and long-lasting color.

11

L’ORÉAL PARIS COLOUR RICH ULTRA MATTE Lipstick - Radical Rosewood

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Experience a super matte finish in just one stroke with the L’Oréal Paris Color Rich Ultra Matte Lipstick in the shade radical rosewood. This one is a must-have lipstick for warm undertones, and it provides a sophisticated and elegant look. Plus, it is formulated with jojoba oil to provide intense hydration all day long without feeling heavy. Trust us, you will be surprised at the pigmentation of this lipstick which ensures a bold and impactful color payoff.

Skin Type: Dry

Color: Radical Rosewood 

Finish: Matte

12

BURT’S BEES Natural Glossy Lipstick - Nude Mist

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Formulated without parabens, petroleum, and other harmful chemicals, Burt’s Bees glossy lipstick in the shade nude mist provides medium coverage with a glossy finish. It is enriched with nourishing ingredients like red raspberry oil, moringa oil, and meadow foam oil, that leaves your lips looking soft and smooth. What’s more is that the shade delivers a neutral hue with a slightly pink undertone and provides a long lipstick wearing experience. It makes your lips look super lustrous and keeps them hydrated. Lastly, the cute packaging will add a chic quotient to your makeup vanity.

Skin Type: All

Color: Nude Mist

Finish: Natural

13

wet n wild Mega Last - Fire-fighting

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Wet n Wild’s luscious Mega Last lipstick in the shade Fire-fighting has a slightly orange undertone that brings out your natural beauty. It is silky, buildable, and effortlessly glides on your lips. This is one of the most perfect lipstick shades for warm tones and it is infused with lip-loving ingredients like murumuru butter, mango butter, sunflower oil, and watermelon seed oils. These components help in nourishing your lips and delivering moisture efficiently. Moreover, the formula is long-wearing and has a creamy texture for easy application. 

Skin Type: Combination 

Color: Fire-Fighting

Finish: High-gloss

14

MOODmatcher Color Changing Lipstick - Green

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Color-changing lipsticks are currently trending all over social media. It adjusts its color based on your body chemistry and pH levels. Similarly, this green shade of lipstick from Moodmatcher creates a custom lip color that is unique to you. Talking about its performance, it changes color as soon as you apply it on your lips and has a twelve-hour-lasting formula that provides reliable and consistent wear. Additionally, it is designed to be smudge-proof, transfer-resistant, and has ultra-hydrating properties. 

Skin Type: All

Color: Green 

Finish: Cream

There you go! These are some of the best lip colors for olive skin tones. You can choose from a range of mesmerizing mauves, radiant reds, and creamy corals. But before that, let’s quickly take a look at the buying guide to ensure you don’t regret your buying decision.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you select the most flattering lip colors for olive skin tones:

Undertone: Firstly, determine your skin undertone. People with olive skin usually have warm or cool undertones. So, identify whether your skin has more green or yellow undertones, as this will guide your lip color choices.

Shade Selection: Once you know which undertone you have, it will be easier for you to select the right lipstick colors. For example, if you have warm undertones, opt for lip colors with warm undertones as well, such as shades with hints of peach, coral, or red.

On the contrary, if you have cool undertones, look for lip colors with cool tones, such as berry tones or blue-based reds.

For people who have olive skin and feel they should avoid pale lip colors, our contributor Maya Adivi, a certified makeup artist, suggests, “It is not necessary to avoid pale lip colors, although it might be hard to find a flattering match. Contrary to popular belief, olive skin tone doesn't mean "tanned skin". It's actually a skin tone with a greenish tint. If you have fair, olive skin you could look great in a pale lipstick as long as it flatters your undertones.”

Depth:  The depth of your skin tone matters when choosing lip colors. For instance, lighter olive skin tones can choose softer shades like light pinks, rosy nudes, or peachy pinks, and peachy tones. Medium to deep olive skin tones can explore bolder options like rich berries, mauves, or deep reds.

To make the most of the best lip color for olive skin, here are some makeup tips on how to use it effectively:

• Step 1: Start by prepping your lips. Exfoliate them gently to remove any dry or flaky skin. This can be done by using a lip scrub or a soft toothbrush to achieve a smooth canvas. Then, follow up with a hydrating lip balm to moisturize your lips and ensure a smooth application.
• Step 2: Once your lips are all scrubbed and exfoliated, select a lip liner to define and shape your lips while also preventing your lip color from feathering or bleeding. Choose a liner that will match your chosen color or a shade that is similar to your natural lip color. Then, outline your lips and fill them in slightly with the liner to create a base.
• Step 3: Now, apply the lip color. You can use a brush or directly put it on your lips. 
• Step 4: Since olive skin tones often have depth and complexity, you can try to be creative and play with color combinations. You can experiment with layering different shades or mixing lip colors to achieve a custom look. For example, adding a touch of a lighter or darker shade to your chosen lip color can create a unique effect that complements your olive skin tone.
• Step 5: Blot, set, and you are done! 

Conclusion:

Some iconic olive skin celebrities like Kim Kardashian and the Duchess of Sussex have owned their look with confidence. It’s time for you do the same too, with the help of the best lip colors for olive skin. Try to experiment with different shades and you will find the right one that will help you showcase your personality, style, and individuality. Plus, wearing a good lipstick can boost your confidence because when you feel good about your appearance, it can have a positive impact on your self-esteem and overall sense of well-being.

Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog