How do you tell the difference between fair skin and olive skin in those with lighter complexions?

fun_purple_beach: How do you tell the difference between fair skin and olive skin in those with lighter complexions?
I’ve been told I have olive skin. I’ve also been told I have fair skin. I can’t use any products typically for olive skin as they are usually too dark, yet pastel shades and ivory foundations don’t work either.

Could I have fair skin w/olive undertones? I never know how to describe my skin. I generally look “beige” with some red in my skin and tan well in the sun, but I do need to use sunscreen as I tend to burn at first.
Thanks for your answers!

I have red and yellow undertones in my skin, just to make things more uncertain! I have dark brown eyes and medium brown hair. I can’t wear any of the warm fall colors such as orange or yellow or green. I can wear dark brown and black and white, as well as the “jewel” colors (red, purple, etc).

My veins are between blue and green but definately green when compared to a very pale person.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Izzy V
“fair” usually has pink undretones while “olive” has yellow undertones. You can have a mix. Some cosmetics counter in deprtment stores sell foundations that they make to match your exact skin tone.

Answer by SlamDUNK
You probably don’t have fair skin. Fair skin generally means a lighter pale looking skin. Just say you have olive skin. People always need to use suncreen even if they’re darker skinned because the UV rays seem more harmful than in the past. I would recommend using some sort of SPF lotion anytime your outdoors…..it’ll prevent premature wrinkling and aging of your skin. I believe a lot of cosmetic companies carry a day lotion (with SPF) such as Clinique, Biotherm, La Prairie, etc.

Answer by kelly e
What are your eye and hair color.

I’d classify you as a “warm” tone – or neutral – neutral is an olive skin tone –
Cool is a blonde – or blue eyed person.

So you would be a darker color foundation –
You can do pink or earthy tones.
Deep plums to a mossy green type eyes- (darker earth tone).

Answer by Katlynn
Look at the wrists do the vains run blue or green a greenish cast over them makes the person an olive skin tone.

Answer by SandraD
I am a Mary Kay Consultant and I can usually get a shade correct by assessing these questions
Would you say your skin tone is fair med or dark
Do you tan,tan very easy or burn
tan is a yellow undertone which most people have tan very easy is olive undertone and burn is pink undertone.

Answer by pegasus_1174
Fair skin is pink to white. Olive skin is tan or caramel. Medium skin is beige-ish. You may have that and not “fair” or “olive. Go to the store and compare; see which foundation shade matches your skin tone. That will be easier.