Best Nail Colors for Olive Skin: 12 Shades to Try
The best nail colors for olive skin work with its green-gold undertone rather than against it. Warm reds, coral, wine, gold, mauve and warm nudes tend to look rich and natural, while some very cool pastels and chalky pale nudes can make olive skin look dull. Below are 12 named shades with swatch cards and notes for each.
Olive skin ranges from light to deep, and many people with olive skin have a neutral-to-warm undertone. Use these as starting points and test on one nail in daylight. Swatch cards are illustrations, so colors are close approximations.
All the shades at a glance
| Shade | Color | Finish | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. OPI The Thrill of Brazil | Warm red | Crème | Light to medium olive skin |
| 2. OPI Cajun Shrimp | Coral red | Crème | Summer and warm undertones |
| 3. Essie Tart Deco | Coral pink | Crème | Spring and summer |
| 4. OPI Big Apple Red | Classic true red | Crème | Every undertone |
| 5. Essie Bordeaux | Rich burgundy | Crème | Fall and winter |
| 6. OPI Malaga Wine | Deep wine | Crème | Evening and office |
| 7. OPI Lincoln Park After Dark | Near-black plum | Crème | Dramatic looks |
| 8. Essie Good as Gold | Metallic gold | Metallic | Warm undertones |
| 9. OPI Samoan Sand | Warm sandy beige | Crème | Light to medium olive skin |
| 10. Essie Lady Like | Muted mauve | Crème | Neutral undertones |
| 11. OPI Bubble Bath | Sheer peachy pink | Sheer | A clean natural look |
| 12. Essie Chinchilly | Soft warm gray | Crème | A modern neutral |
Warm reds and corals for olive skin
Warm reds are the classic match for olive skin.
1. OPI The Thrill of Brazil
A warm red with a hint of orange that harmonises with golden undertones. It looks bright in daylight and deeper in low light. See our guide to OPI The Thrill of Brazil.
Finish: Crème · Color: Warm red · Best for: light to medium olive skin
2. OPI Cajun Shrimp
A coral red that glows on olive skin, especially with a tan. A fun alternative to classic red. See our guide to OPI Cajun Shrimp.
Finish: Crème · Color: Coral red · Best for: summer and warm undertones
Photo: @ayeshacurry on Instagram. Shade shown: OPI Cajun Shrimp.
3. Essie Tart Deco
A coral pink that brightens olive skin without the harshness of neon. Our best coral nail polish guide has more options.
Finish: Crème · Color: Coral pink · Best for: spring and summer
4. OPI Big Apple Red
A true red that sits between warm and cool, so it is a safe choice for any olive tone.
Finish: Crème · Color: Classic true red · Best for: every undertone
Deep shades for olive skin
Wine and plum look especially rich against olive skin.
5. Essie Bordeaux
A rich burgundy with a slightly brown depth that suits warm undertones beautifully. See our guide to best burgundy nail polish.
Finish: Crème · Color: Rich burgundy · Best for: fall and winter
Video: @naailedit_ on TikTok. Shade shown: essie Bordeaux.
6. OPI Malaga Wine
A deep wine red that looks elegant on every olive tone, from light to deep.
Finish: Crème · Color: Deep wine · Best for: evening and office
7. OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
A near-black plum. Plum undertones look warmer and softer on olive skin than a flat black.
Finish: Crème · Color: Near-black plum · Best for: dramatic looks
Video: @naailedit_ on TikTok. Shade shown: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark.
Neutrals, metallics and soft shades for olive skin
Warm nudes and gold are flattering everyday options.
8. Essie Good as Gold
Metallic gold echoes the golden undertone in olive skin. Great as an accent or for parties.
Finish: Metallic · Color: Metallic gold · Best for: warm undertones
9. OPI Samoan Sand
A warm sandy beige that looks natural on lighter olive skin. Deeper olive skin may prefer a caramel nude. See our guide to OPI Samoan Sand.
Finish: Crème · Color: Warm sandy beige · Best for: light to medium olive skin
Video: @whodidhernails on Instagram. Shade shown: OPI Samoan Sand.
10. Essie Lady Like
A muted mauve that adds soft color without clashing with olive undertones. See our guide to Essie Lady Like.
Finish: Crème · Color: Muted mauve · Best for: neutral undertones
11. OPI Bubble Bath
A sheer peachy pink that warms up the nail. Peachy sheers usually suit olive skin better than very cool pink sheers. See our guide to OPI Bubble Bath.
Finish: Sheer · Color: Sheer peachy pink · Best for: a clean natural look
12. Essie Chinchilly
A warm gray that works as a modern neutral on olive skin. Choose warm grays over very cool, blue-gray shades.
Finish: Crème · Color: Soft warm gray · Best for: a modern neutral
How to choose nail colors for olive skin
Olive skin has a green or golden cast, so shades with warmth (warm red, coral, wine, gold, terracotta and peachy nudes) usually look most harmonious. Very cool pastels, icy blue and chalky pale beige can look grayish against olive skin. If you love cool shades, choose deeper versions, such as navy instead of baby blue.
For more shades by color, see best orange nail polish (terracotta and rust suit olive skin well), best nude nail polish and how to choose nail polish color.
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FAQs
What nail color looks best on olive skin?
Warm reds, coral, wine, gold and warm nudes are usually the most flattering, because they echo the golden undertone in olive skin.
What nail colors should olive skin avoid?
Nothing is off-limits, but very cool pastels, icy blue and chalky pale nudes can look dull on some olive skin. Deeper or warmer versions are easier to wear.
Is nude nail polish good for olive skin?
Yes. Choose a warm beige, peachy or caramel nude that matches your depth rather than a pale pink-beige.
