Can I be cool-toned despite having olive skin, or should I be considered warm?
Assessing undertones can be tricky, especially when the skin has an olive-like shade. Olive skin is often perceived as warm because it can look yellow-green, but in reality, many olive tones are rather neutral or even cool.
Why is olive perceived as warm?
- Olive skin sometimes has a yellow or green tone that gives a warm impression.
- In poor lighting, this can be amplified and mistaken for a warm undertone.
- At the same time, the undertone can fundamentally be cool and therefore harmonize better with cooler colors.
Signs of cool vs warm undertone
- Jewelry: If you look best in silver jewelry, it points to a cool undertone, while gold often flatters warm or neutral skin tones.
- Makeup and hair: Hairdressers or makeup artists who see warmth in your skin may be right, but it can also depend on how your skin reacts to certain shades and products.
- Color test: If strong, cool colors (e.g., cool pink or clear blue) make your face look vibrant, you may still belong to a cool season like True Summer.
Can you be olive-toned and still cool?
Yes. Many with olive tones have a cooler base that makes them look better in cool colors, even if the skin appears warm at first glance. That’s why it’s common to think you’re warm when you’re actually cool or neutral.
If, however, you find that gold and warm shades flatter you most, it could be a sign that you actually have a warm undertone and therefore probably aren’t a pure True Summer. In such cases, seasons like Bright Spring or a more neutral variant might be closer to the truth.
Tips for finding your undertone
- Compare silver and gold against your skin in daylight and see which gives more radiance.
- Try cool and warm colors near your face and note whether your skin looks even and fresh or more yellow and tired.
- Photograph yourself in different lighting to see how your skin tone changes.
If you still feel unsure, a professional color analysis can help you sort out how olive tone affects your season type.
Also read Can I be True Summer with warm undertones? for more on how warmth and coolness interact.
For a tailored analysis, we recommend our digital color analysis.