Why do people say some people have an "olive" complexion on their skin? I thought olive was a green color? So, where exactly did the term "olive" come from when describing some peoples skin tone?
I know most white people have pink skin tone.
2007-12-25 01:35:59 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
In ancient Greece they use to cover their skin with Olive Oil (like we do with moisturisers). Therefore they would be called people with the Olive skin
2007-12-25 11:42:09 · answer #1 · answered by gabby 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's for a person with a more golden skin tone. I remember people commenting on my olive complexion when I was little, and thinking that was very strange! Although I'm a completely northern European type, I am not at all pink. I look good in gold, brown, and green shades which pick up the golden color of my skin and green eyes.
2007-12-25 04:34:33 · answer #2 · answered by Snow Globe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Mediterranean?
there are olives here and the people have tan complexions in some cases. :)
I think it is because when you take the pink base skin color of skin, and add green tint to it, it appears less red, and therefore it takes on hues of yellow and green instead of pink and red. regardless of the lightness or darkness of a tan (or no tan present) olive skin tones have no pinkness to them. And real olives aren't green like they are in the US.
2007-12-25 01:39:19 · answer #3 · answered by kaddykat 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Same thing I wonder...
When I was young, I didn't know much about complexions and they were like "Oh she[me] has such a nice olive complexion!", the whole time I was thinking and yelling in my head:
"MY SKIN ISN'T GREEN!!!!!!!!!"
Haha, Happy Holidays! :]
2007-12-25 01:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, olives are not just green, they come in a variety of colours - have a look at this picture:- http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/81/05/23040581.jpg
2007-12-25 02:06:20 · answer #5 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋