Olive undertones looking muddy — olive-base liquids or technique?

[Farah N]

My olive-skinned clients sometimes end up looking muddy or too warm rather than that clean bronze. I’ve been wondering whether olive-base solutions are the real fix, or if it’s mostly spraying technique and colour choice.

Anyone here working with Mediterranean or South Asian skin tones regularly — what actually moves the needle for you?

[David Kay]

Olive undertones can go muddy when the liquid is too warm or red-leaning, or when you lay too much on elbows and ankles. An olive-base or cooler green/violet-leaning solution usually helps more than technique alone, but both matter.

Keep distance consistent and avoid heavy overlapping on already warm areas. Brands like Suntana and some OMG shades handle olive skin nicely without going orange; I’d trial on a small area first.

If they’re still muddy after rinse, check they’re not using oil-heavy moisturisers that pull warmth into the fade.

[Author]

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