These Are the Best Hair Colours That Flatter Olive Skin Undertones

Choosing the perfect hair colour is more than just picking a shade; it’s a strategy for a stunning transformation. The wrong colour can make your complexion appear dull, whereas the right one enhances your skin, making it look brighter, fresher, and camera-ready.

If you have an olive undertone, you’re in luck – you have access to a colour palette that’s essentially exclusive. Olive undertones offer a distinctive golden-green hue that complements everything from deep, shiny blacks to rich browns and even bold blondes.

Get the colour just right, and your skin will look as if it’s enjoyed a full night’s sleep and a rejuvenating spa treatment.

What Is A Skin Undertone?

Consider your undertone as the underlying hue that influences the overall appearance of your skin. Unlike your surface skin tone, which may vary with tanning or fading, your undertone remains constant and determines which colours enhance your glow and which ones may dull your look. There are four types of undertones:

• Warm: Golden, peachy, or yellow hues
• Cool: Pink, rosy, or bluish hues
• Neutral: A balanced mix of warm and cool
• Olive: A unique blend of golden and green tones

How to Find Your Skin Undertone

Begin with the traditional vein check. Examine the inner part of your wrist under natural light. If your veins look bluish or purplish, you likely belong to the cool category. Conversely, if they appear greenish, that indicates warm or olive undertones. Olive tones typically have a subtle green-gold hue that distinguishes them.

Jewellery is another simple indicator. If silver enhances your complexion, you’re probably cool-toned. On the other hand, if gold suits you better, you’re likely warm or olive. Those with neutral undertones often find that both look good on them.

Finally, remember the sun test. Consider how your skin behaves when you go outside. Cool undertones tend to burn more easily, while warm and olive undertones generally tan more quickly and deeply. If you seldom burn and your skin turns golden or olive in the sun, that’s a strong indication that you belong to the olive category.

Undertones remain constant, even if your skin lightens in winter or darkens in summer, which makes identifying yours a secret weapon for selecting colours that will always complement you.

Related read: Do you actually have olive undertones? Here’s how to identify them and the products to use

Best Hair Colours for Olive Undertones

Glossy Black

There’s a reason why black remains a timeless choice. Black hair is the epitome of classic elegance, and when paired with olive undertones, it becomes truly eye-catching.

The rich, dark strands enhance the golden-green tones in your skin, making it appear clearer and more radiant. The contrast is striking in the best possible way, giving you that sophisticated, high-fashion look effortlessly.

If you naturally have darker hair, embracing this shade allows for a low-maintenance yet dramatic appearance, almost as if you’ve emerged with a built-in ring light. Just ensure the finish is glossy – a flat, matte black can sometimes feel too heavy, while a shiny, healthy black looks chic and timeless.

Chocolate Brown

Chocolate brown is like the beauty version of comfort food: universally loved, rich, and fulfilling.

For those with olive undertones, it brings just the right touch of warmth without overwhelming your skin tone. The harmony between its neutral and golden shades allows it to enhance your features while providing your hair with ample depth.

Consider it the go-to luxe colour – sophisticated enough for work, yet casual enough for the weekend. If you desire a bit more dimension, adding soft caramel highlights can produce a melted look that beautifully complements your undertone.

Mahogany

If you’re in the mood for a bit of fun, mahogany is the perfect choice. Its vibrant reddish-brown hue enhances olive undertones, imparting a warm, radiant energy to the skin that feels both lively and fresh.

The subtle red tones add a touch of drama without being overwhelming, crafting a sophisticated look that still exudes plenty of character.

Mahogany instantly brings vibrancy, much like increasing the saturation of your features – everything suddenly appears brighter, warmer, and more vibrant. On olive undertones, it transcends mere colour – it embodies a mood, rich enough to feel luxurious yet fiery enough to keep things thrilling.

Ash Blonde

Blonde and olive skin can be a challenging combination, but opting for an ashy tone can completely change the game.

Ash blonde is effective because its cool undertones balance out the golden warmth of your skin, resulting in a stylish contrast that appears both modern and effortless. The outcome is contemporary and trendsetting, resembling an editorial filter brought to life.

The charm of this hue lies in its understated elegance – it’s gentle, nuanced, and yet remarkably transformative, akin to the colour version of a perfectly fitted suit.

Honey Brown

Honey brown captures the essence of golden hour in a hair colour. Warm, glowing, and effortlessly radiant, it beautifully complements olive undertones, enhancing their golden warmth while adding a hint of sun-kissed charm.

Honey brown carries a sweetness, but never in an overly sugary way; it’s natural, flattering, and incredibly versatile. On olive skin, it not only complements but also harmonises, resulting in a look that feels fresh, bright, and endlessly appealing.

Caramel Highlights

Golden, shiny, and radiant, caramel highlights bring out the warmest tones in the skin and reflect them back with intensity, resulting in a gentle, glowing radiance. Caramel highlights dance with light in the hair, offering a playful yet sophisticated look, capturing every glimmer of sunlight or ambient light.

This shade introduces movement and depth, maintaining a vibrant and youthful appearance without crossing into brassy territory. This shade sweetens olive skin, adding light, depth, and a touch of sunlit charm.

Featured image credits: @iiduddzs/Pinterest, @2694355939/Xiaohongshu, @Bayby_goo/Xiaohongshu