7 Shades of Blush for Olive Undertones

If you have olive undertones—that is, if your skin appears to have a base of green, yellow-green, or even gray—finding the right shade of blush can be daunting. You may find that blushes touted as “flattering on everyone” look downright garish on you. Some report that their olive undertones emphasize certain shades in blush, transforming from a pink that looks soft and neutral in the pan to a clownlike magenta on the cheeks. For others, the wrong blush has the potential to wash them out. While everyone’s skin plays with color differently, our editors have a few olive-friendly blush recommendations to share.

(Scroll to the end for additional swatches shown in different light settings.)

MOB Beauty Cream Clay Blush in M70, $25

For olive undertones that lean on the warmer side, MOB Beauty’s bestselling Cream Clay Blush in M70 is a wearable coral pink that adds a nice pop of brightness without looking neon. It’s also cleanly formulated and comes in refillable, recyclable packaging, which we love.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure, $43

In the olive internet community (yes, it exists), Mood Exposure has gained a bit of a cult following—and for good reason. Ideal for those who find most pinks too intense, it’s a muted plummy mauve with a skin-like (not shimmery!) radiant finish.

Surratt Beauty Artistique Blush in La Vie En Rose, $32

Similar to Mood Exposure but with a bit more warmth, Surratt Beauty’s Artistique Blush in La Vie En Rose is another almost-foolproof shade of soft mauve. The satin finish helps it melt in to look like an extension of your skin—no powderiness here.

ILIA Multi-Stick in Lady Bird, $34

Muted rosy hues are often flattering to olive undertones, and we think ILIA’s Multi-Stick in Lady Bird as the perfect entry point to the color family. The buttery formula blends into skin nicely and delivers a sheer wash of color that you can build up (or not) for more intensity.

NUDESTIX Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze in Sunkissed, $34

If you’ve been itching to try the sunburned blush trend, many olive-toned makeup enthusiasts swear by NUDESTIX Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze in Sunkissed. It’s a warm terracotta shade that makes you look like you’ve been lounging in the sun—minus the actual sunburn.

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Pillow Talk Intense, $40

Inspired by Charlotte’s iconic Pillow Talk nude shade, this deep berry rose blush wears beautifully on many medium to deep olive skin tones. Swirl your brush into the center of the pan for a more pearlescent finish.

Viseart Blush Palette in 2 Rose Coral , $80

We know this palette looks intimidating at first glance, but hear us out—all of these shades are much more wearable than they look. On olive skin, we find that the cool-toned powders on the left side translate into a baby lavender-pink that brightens without washing out.