Best Berry Lipsticks for Olive Skin Tones

Berry lipstick is a seasonal favorite, but for those with olive skin, it’s a year-round staple. Berry tones—which encompass everything from bright raspberry to deep, moody plum—are essentially "cousins" to the red and pink families. What makes them unique is their purple or blue base, which provides a level of sophistication and "edge" that a standard red simply can’t match.

However, finding the berry lipstick olive skin loves can be a delicate balancing act. Olive skin is characterized by a green or yellow-green undertone. Because purple is on the opposite side of the color wheel from yellow-green, berry lipsticks can either look incredibly vibrant or, if the tone is wrong, make the skin look a bit sallow. The key is finding a berry that has enough warmth or depth to harmonize with the olive base.

Understanding the "Olive" Factor

Olive skin isn't just "tan." You can be very fair-olive or deep-olive. The common thread is that "greenish" tint that is most visible around the jawline or in natural light.

When choosing a berry, you want to avoid anything that is too "pastel" or "milky." These can look chalky against the depth of olive skin. Instead, look for "jewel tones"—rich, saturated colors that have a "clear" base. If you’re having trouble identifying your specific depth of olive, our Shade Matcher tool is an excellent way to get a personalized recommendation based on your unique coloring.

The "Daytime" Berries: Raspberries and Soft Plums

For a daytime look, you don't necessarily want a black-plum lip. You want something that looks like you’ve just been eating a bowl of fresh fruit—a "stained" effect.

Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb is a fantastic, low-stakes way to wear berry. It’s a cool-toned red-berry that is sheer enough to let your natural lip color show through, preventing it from clashing with your skin. For a more traditional lipstick, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is a legendary shade that looks different on everyone but is particularly stunning on olive skin. It looks like a deep plum in the tube, but goes on as a sheer, warm-berry stain.

If you want a more opaque "work-friendly" berry, MAC Cosmetics Plumful is a Lustre finish (meaning it's shiny and moisturizing) that provides a soft, rose-plum color. It’s bright enough to be noticed but muted enough to remain professional. You can see how these "softer" berries are being worn right now by checking the Trending Shades on our platform.

The "Statement" Berries: Deep Wine and Magenta

When it’s time to go out, olive skin truly shines in deep, moody berries. These shades provide a dramatic contrast that is incredibly alluring.

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Venom is a bright plum with a hint of shimmer that looks phenomenal on medium-olive skin. It’s bold, rich, and "expensive" looking. For those who prefer a matte finish, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu is a cult classic for a reason. It is a very deep, almost black-plum that provides a stunning, vampy look. On olive skin, the "green" in the skin makes this purple-based shade look incredibly regal.

If you find a deep berry you love but find it a bit too high-maintenance to apply, or if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to a luxury wine shade, use our Dupe Finder to find liquid lipstick versions that "lock" into place for all-night wear.

Tips for Applying Berry Lipstick on Olive Skin

1. Keep the Skin Clean: Berry tones can sometimes highlight redness or "purpleness" under the eyes. When wearing a berry lip, make sure your concealer game is on point to keep the focus on your lips.
2. Warm it Up: If a berry lipstick feels a bit too "cold" for your skin, try layering a warm-toned lip gloss or a bit of bronzer on your cheeks to bring some golden energy back to the face.
3. The Finger-Blotted Look: If you're intimidated by a dark berry, apply it to the center of your lips and use your finger to tap it outward. This creates a "just-bitten" effect that is much more approachable for daily wear.

Berry lipstick is a celebration of depth and mystery. For the olive-skinned beauty, it’s a color family that offers endless possibilities for self-expression.

Ready to find your perfect shade? Skip the guesswork — try POUT's free Shade Matcher and discover your match in seconds.