Choosing the right eye color to complement an olive skin tone can be tricky. Olive skin contains hints of green and brown pigmentation and can vary from light to dark. Finding an eye color that enhances your natural skin tone will help pull your whole look together.
How to Determine Your Olive Skin Tone
First, it’s important to figure out where exactly your olive skin falls on the spectrum. Here are some ways to tell if you have an olive skin tone:
- Your veins appear green/blue rather than strictly blue or purple
- You tan easily in the sun
- You were born with medium brown hair
- Silver and gold jewelry both look good on you
- You burn less often than extremely fair people
Olive skin can be further classified as light, medium or dark. Check out this olive skin tone chart:
| Light Olive | Medium Olive | Dark Olive |
|---|---|---|
| Fair with a green undertone | Middle ground with golden undertone | Tan-brown complexion |
| Tans to light-medium brown | Tans to medium-dark brown | Tans to dark brown/black |
| May freckle and burn | May freckle less and rarely burns | Rarely burns |
Once you’ve determined your exact olive tone, you’ll know better which eye colors will complement it.
Best Eye Colors for Olive Skin
Certain eye colors have been found to look especially striking against olive skin. Consider these top picks:
1. Brown
Rich brown eyes are a natural choice for those with olive skin. Brown has underlying yellow/green hues that pick up on the golden aspects of olive complexions. Darker browns like espresso or chocolate are enhanced next to darker olive tones. Lighter mocha browns go well with fair to medium olive skin.
2. Hazel
Hazel eyes are multicolored, containing a mix of brown, green, gold and reddish rings around the pupil. This dynamic blend pairs perfectly with the many shades of olive skin. The green flecks in hazel connect with olive undertones, while the brown and gold match the tan-brown overtones.
3. Amber
Amber eyes have a profound yellowish-orange hue blending into a richer outer brown. The bright yellow center brings out golden flecks in light to medium olive skin. Darker olives are complemented by amber’s lush, earthy brown edges. Overall, amber adds warmth and vibrancy to any olive complexion.
4. Green
Green eyes enhance the natural undertones in olive skin, as both contain high levels of melanin pigment. Green is ideal for light to medium olive skin which can pick up on the eye color’s greener aspects. Dark green is perfect for darker olive tones, while sage and olive greens flatter lighter skin.
Eye Colors to Potentially Avoid
Some eye shades don’t pair quite as seamlessly with olive skin. They can appear jarring or get washed out instead of harmonizing. Here are some eye colors that tend not to flatter olive complexions:
1. Light Blue
Very light blue or icy blue eyes often provide too much contrast against olive skin. Blue eyes contain very little melanin while olive skin is rich in it. This can create an unbalanced look. However, some olive skinned people can pull off a brighter blue.
2. Light Gray
Fair gray eyes fall into the same risk category as light blue in clashing with most olive tones. If your heart is set on gray, opt for a darker gunmetal gray shade as it blends more naturally.
3. Violet/Purple
Vivid violet or purple eyes tend to overwhelm olive complexions. These cool-toned shades don’t contain the warm, earthy hues found in olive skin. Purple can work for some, but err on the side of caution.
Unique Olive Eye Combinations
Don’t be afraid to step outside the box if you want to mix things up! Here are some more unusual eye colors that can look great on olive skin:
- Pale Gray-Blue: Pair with fair olive skin. Adds alluring contrast and a sultry vibe.
- Light Green: Try with very dark olive skin. Striking pop of color.
- Central Heterochromia: A ring of color around the pupil with a different outer color. For example, brown inner ring, green outer ring.
The most important guideline is choosing an eye color that you feel confident and comfortable with. Don’t stress too much about finding a “perfect match.” Work with colors that enhance your inner glow!
Makeup Tips for Olive Skin and Eyes
Play up your features by using strategic makeup:
- Use bronze, gold or brown eyeshadow to intensify amber, green or brown eyes.
- Try smoky black or charcoal liner to make light eyes pop.
- Look for medium-toned nude lipsticks with a hint of pink.
- Use blush in soft peach, rose or mauve shades.
- Add definition with an ashy brown eyebrow pencil.
Avoid frosty whites and silvers which tend to appear stark. Opt for warmer metallics like copper and champagne.
How to Determine Your Child’s Eye Color
Wondering what eye color your future child may inherit? It helps to have an understanding of basic genetics:
- Eye color is determined by the amount of melanin pigment in the iris.
- Brown eyes contain a lot of melanin, while blue eyes contain very little.
- Eye color genes can be dominant (always expressed) or recessive (overpowered). Brown is generally dominant.
- Parents pass down one of two alleles (gene variations) for eye color to their child.
Use this simplified chart to estimate possible outcomes:
| Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Possible Child Eye Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Brown | Most likely brown |
| Brown | Blue | 50% chance brown, 50% chance blue |
| Brown | Green | Most often brown, sometimes green |
| Brown | Hazel | 50% chance brown, 50% chance hazel |
| Blue | Green | Blue, green or blue-green |
Of course, genetics are complicated so this is just a guide. The child could end up with something entirely unique! Consult an eye doctor if you have concerns about potential eye disorders.
Conclusion
Olive skin is stunning when matched with eyes containing warm, harmonious pigmentation. Classic pairings like brown, green and hazel accentuate the natural beauty of the olive tone. Avoid colors like light blue or gray that can look jarring. Feel free to get creative with unconventional colors too. Most importantly, accentuate your eyes in a way that makes you glow inside and out!