10 Best Foundations For Olive Skin Tone
For the flawless makeup base of your dream looks that stay in place all day long.
Tamara DelbridgeMakeup Artist
Tamara is a makeup artist with two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. She is a dual licensed esthetician in New York and New Jersey and serves as the Beauty Director for the Black Girls Rock! beauty blog. Her work has been... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
krati darakMBA, Certified Skin Care Coach
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of ... more
madhumati chowdhuryMA (English Literature)
Experience: 7 yearsMadhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through... more
Image: Shutterstock
Olive skin tone is considered a blessing by beauty and makeup enthusiasts. However, it has its fair share of disadvantages. Pulling off a perfect makeup look can be tricky unless one has the best foundations for olive skin in their collection. Women these days go through the self-tanning process to get this beautiful skin tone. Lucky are those who are born with a natural olive or green undertone. But the undertones vary for every individual, and there are several shades like porcelains, beiges, and ivories.
Therefore, matching a foundation becomes a challenge for individuals with olive undertone and skin. That is why we have put together a list of suitable foundations for them. Swipe up for more information!
In This Article
How To Choose The Best Foundation For Olive Skin Tones
You can tell you have an olive skin tone if you feel that most foundations look yellow or orange on your skin. You might also find that pastel shades don’t suit you or that both gold and silver jewelry look great on you.
Olive skin tone foundation tends to go well with makeup products that have neutral and warm undertones. So look for that when deciding which foundation to go for. If you pick the wrong shade, you might end up looking too orange or having an ashy finish. Before buying a product, always sample a little bit of it on your inner arm or cheek to check that the foundation matches is accurate to your face shade.
What Color Foundation Is Best For Olive Skin?
For olive-skinned women, olive skin tone foundation shades that range between the tan and medium categories generally fit well. Ensure to check that the foundation you chose matches your skin’s undertones for exceptional results.
Top 10 Best Foundations For Olive Skin Tone
1. Best Lightweight Formula: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Here is a makeup brand that has been loved by makeup moguls all over the world. If you have ever watched makeup tutorials on YouTube or Instagram, then chances are you are already familiar with this liquid foundation. This seamless blending foundation is lightweight and has a 15-hour staying power. It can withstand heat, humidity, and non-stop activity, so if you have a long day ahead, this semi-matte and oil-free foundation is the one for you! This high-end cosmetic brand’s product is ideal for individuals with a golden undertone and olive skin. You can check out this review that details a tester’s experience with the product to understand the nuances of the formula in detail.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Oil-free foundation
- Ideal for everyday wear
- Offers wide shade spectrum
- 15-hour withstanding power
Cons
- Heavier than most other foundations
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 101 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
2. Best Blendable Option: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
This award-winning foundation in the light beige shade can conceal all blemishes. This hydrating foundation is long-lasting. It has a uniquely blendable formula that seamlessly evens out the skin, making you look fresh-faced and flawless. It is the perfect blend of matt and glossy and is suitable for day or night use. For undetectable and no make-up coverage, add this all-day wear foundation to your beauty regimen. It also has an expansive shade range for olive skin tones. Reviewers on online forums have mentioned that the product works on all skin types, but it is best for oily skin and combination skin types.
Pros
- Blends easily
- Suitable for day and night use
- Ideal for all skin types
- Offers wide shade range
Cons
- Dries fast
3. Best Highly Pigmented Formula: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation
This lightweight, full coverage, highly pigmented, and corrective drugstore foundation is a favorite among beauty bloggers all over the world and will instantly become your favorite foundation too. Its smooth and light texture helps achieve a natural-looking finish. This 24-hour foundation features a creamy liquid texture that glides on seamlessly onto the face delivering a matt coverage that can last an entire day! What’s more, is that the brand refuses to test its products on animals and is acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty-free brand. This is the best foundation shade for individuals with an olive undertone and skin who spend a lot of time in natural lighting.
Pros
- Cruelty-free makeup
- Highly pigmented
- Natural coverage
- Ideal for all skin types
- Offers wide shade spectrum
- Pump dispenser for hygienic application
Cons
- Does begin to transfer if used for a long period of time
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 2,007 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
| Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Best Lightweight Formula | Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick Best Blendable Option | NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation Best Highly Pigmented Formula | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | NormalColor | AllColor | AllColor |
| Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 2 inches | 2 x 2.8 x 2.5 inches | 1.21 x 1.21 x 4.6 inches |
| Weight | 1 Ounces | 0.32 Ounces | 3.84 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 101 | 205 | 2,007 |
| Price | $34.23 | $45 | $12.65 |
4. Best Hydrating Formula:Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
If your skin is prone to drying out and looking lifeless, this foundation from the celebrity-favorite brand NARS is the one for you. This stunning foundation in a golden beige shade conceals, brightens, and hydrates your skin and smooths uneven texture. This is the perfect shade to get luminous and flawless finish. It is infused with potent ingredients like vitamin C that help brighten your skin. It has a glowing, naturally radiant finish and is buildable so you can apply as many layers as you want without worrying about it looking cakey, uneven, or streaky. It is one of the best even skin tone foundations that can effectively even out the skin tone.
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Non-comedogenic foundation
Cons
- Does not give full coverage
"This foundation feels lightweight on my skin and offers good coverage. It does not make my fair skin look orange. It lasts all day, too. This formula works great with other makeup products and makes my skin glow. It lends me a natural, flawless look."
Pro Tip5. Best For Neutral Undertones: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation
For a perfected look that lasts all day, turn to this perfecting foundation that offers seamless shade matching. Its extra moisturizing and lightweight texture helps achieve a flawless base. While most other brands create foundations that cater to pink undertones, this foundation has been designed with warmer and more neutral undertones, making it the ideal foundation color for all the olive-skinned beauties out there. This photo-friendly foundation’s velvety texture will not weigh down on your skin and can hence be used for a prolonged period to get a beautiful matte finish. Here’s a great foundation in a soft beige shade that surely deserves a spot in your vanity.
Pros
- Has a velvety texture to it
- Offers buildable coverage
- Caters to skin tones that have neutral undertones
Cons
- Has a scent to it
6. Best Long Lasting Formula: Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation
If you are looking for a silky, lightweight coverage to tackle uneven skin tone that can last for hours and won’t weigh your skin down, this is the perfect foundation for you. Its long-lasting formula will deliver a flawless finish to your skin regardless of its type. It hydrates your skin but does not clog your pores. This matte finish neutral foundation provides excellent coverage and can easily cover up all blemishes, leaving you looking photoshoot-ready. Available in 12 gorgeous shades that have undertones ranging from warm to Cool, you are guaranteed to find the perfect makeup shade that will fit your complexion. So, here is one of the best foundations for people with shades of olive undertone that you surely need to invest in.
Pros
- Wide range of shades
- Blurring effect foundation
- Long lasting formula
- Buildable coverage
- Ideal for sensitive skin
Cons
- Begins to transfer if used for a long period of time
"I love that this foundation provides good coverage for my blemishes. It blurs out my pores and mattifies excess shine. However, it does not mesh well with my oil-based moisturizer. Overall, it is a good product for all-day wear."
Pro Tip7. Best UV Protection: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15
This water-based foundation delivers undetectable coverage to your skin and keeps it fresh and hydrated through the long dreary hours of the day. Free from harmful parabens and containing skin-loving and natural ingredients, this foundation is safe on your skin and also provides effective UV protection to prevent sun damage. Many online reviews indicate that the golden pigments in the foundation offer a great fake-post-holiday complexion! This is the best foundation for medium skin tone and any olive skin beauty out there!
Pros
- Water-based foundation
- Protects skin against UV ray damage
Cons
- Not a thick foundation
"This foundation is a decent option for those seeking a natural look. It is lightweight and offers decent coverage to cover up acne scars and blemishes. It is long-lasting and has SPF properties."
8. Best For Concealing: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
Achieving that “I woke up like this” look only got easier with this iconic foundation from the celebrity-endorsed brand Too Faced. Tried and trusted by celebrities all over the world, this medium to full coverage foundation delivers a top-notch seamless finish to promote a flawless appearance. Reducing the appearance of pores, blemishes, and dark circles is not just what this foundation does. This skin-nourishing foundation also brightens and hydrates the skin. This best foundation for light olive skin is formulated with coconut water, alpine rose, and hyaluronic acid, this HD foundation does it all from pampering to concealing and brightening.
Pros
- Conceals pores and blemishes
- Hydrates skin
Cons
- Provides only medium coverage
"This foundation offers a dewy, buildable coverage without feeling heavy on the skin. It is very long-lasting and easy to blend. It's a good choice for everyday wear as well as special occasions. It does not look cakey even on dry skin."
9. Best In Easy To Apply: Belloccio’s Professional Cosmetic Airbrush Makeup Foundation
If you’re one of those people who like to hit the snooze button on your alarm regularly, then you need a foundation that is effective, functional, and easy to apply. Belloccio’s Foundation does this and more! This revolutionary water-based foundation will enhance the smooth appearance of your skin and leave it looking airbrushed without clogging up your pores. It won’t streak or look cakey and blends easily into your skin. Reviewers have mentioned that the foundation is ideal for individuals with deep olive skin tones.
Pros
- Easy to blend
- Does not streak
- Affordable foundation option
Cons
- Has a thick consistency
"This airbrush makeup kit has completely transformed my makeup game. It mixes just fine with different airbrush setups. It goes on like a dream, blending into the skin so naturally. I can even build it up to cover those little blemishes or uneven spots on my skin. This stuff stays on all day without smudging or fading. However, it might feel a bit thick at first."
10. Best Breathable Formula: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15
This statement-making brand is one we’re all familiar with, and its products speak for themselves. This super versatile foundation provides great coverage and absorbs into the pores without clogging them. It sits well on the face, feels lightweight, and appearance of skin. The breathable formula provides you with a natural finish and effortless look. This is an SPF-infused foundation so you can comfortably wear it during the hot summer months as well. Several reviews on online forums have praised the foundation for sitting well on the face and feeling completely lightweight.
Pros
- Absorbs into the pores
- Breathable and lightweight formula
- Does not dry your skin out
- Not cakey or streaky
Cons
- It is not sweat-proof
Infographic: Tips To Use A Foundation The Right Way
A foundation is a great way to enhance your natural skin tone and an essential step in making you look polished and put together. Using it the right way is important because it can make or break your makeup look. Check out the below infographic to learn how to use a foundation the right way.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Although olive-toned skin is loved by makeup experts, getting the right foundation shade to complement this tone might not be an easy job. But, several brands these days are coming up with a range of shades so that you can find your true match. Look for foundations that are easily blendable, lightweight, offer good coverage, and are long-lasting. We also recommend you sample a little bit of it on your inner arm or cheek to check that the shade of olive matches your facial skin tone. You can also conduct a patch test to ensure that the foundation you have chosen does not cause any allergic reactions to your skin. If you have sensitive skin, it is ideal to choose dermatologist-tested formulas for your skin’s sake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color foundation should I use for olive skin?
Olive shade is a cross between yellow and neutral tones. Golden neutrals and yellow undertones without the tint of red and pink tones are the best options for olive skin.
How do I find the right makeup for olive skin tone?
Check the visible veins on your wrist. You are more neutral if you have a mix of blue and green hues. Some of the mesmerizing shades of bronze, copper, and gold enhance the look of olive skin tones and help attain flawless olive skin. Apply coral blush for light olive skin and orange blush for darker olive skin tones to further enhance your complexion.
Is olive skin warm or has a cool undertone?
Olive skin tone is unique as it has both neutral and warm undertones.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Srijani Roy Chowdhury, is a makeup artist and understands that different skin tones need different foundations. She came up with the above list of foundations for individuals with olive skin tone after thoroughly researching several products and browsing hundreds of reviews on various trusted online forums. These foundations blend easily and come with a long-lasting formula that complements your olive skin tone.
