If you’ve always reached for browns and taupes for your eye makeup, this is your sign to shake things up a bit. OLIVE GREEN is one of the most wearable transition eyeshadow shades for the summer-to-fall transition because it’s soft, earthy, and surprisingly flattering on mature eyes. This shade adds depth without looking as harsh as some darker, brighter greens can.
Key Takeaways
- This fall transition eyeshadow look uses olive green — one of the most flattering shades for mature eyes, soft and earthy, not harsh.
- It complements every eye color: green/hazel eyes pop, blue eyes get contrast, brown eyes look warmer.
- The look builds in five steps: prime, blend a neutral base, pat on olive shimmer, define the crease, line and finish.
- Pair it with warm peachy-rose blush and a soft nude or peach lip so the eyes stay the star of the look.
Why This Fall Transition Eyeshadow Look Works So Well on Mature Eyes
What makes olive green so beautiful is that it enhances almost every eye color.
Green and hazel eyes appear more vibrant, blue eyes gain a gorgeous contrast, and brown eyes look richer and warmer.
It’s a sophisticated way to add color without feeling like you’ve stepped too far outside your comfort zone or looking like clown makeup!
I’ll be adding in some beauty deals still available through the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale throughout this tutorial post.
And in case you missed my original Anniversary Beauty Edit post here on SaaCA, be sure to go back and check it out before the sale ends soon on August 9th!
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How to Wear This Fall Transition Eyeshadow Look: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Prime the lid. Start by applying an eyeshadow primer or eye brightener on the lid to prevent creasing. Currently, the ever popular Trish McEvoy Eye Brightening Set is now on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale at $60 (value $86) and is a great way to start this process! But in this post I’ll be using the Pixi Beauty Correction Concentrate Concealer ($14) as my lid primer.
These types of products do a great job of erasing darkness and help neutralize discoloration, giving you eyes that look fresh, rested, bright, and youthful! When doing a colorful eye makeup look, this step should NOT be skipped.
Step 2: Build the base. Grab a palette like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Nouveau Palette ($55) and start with a matte ivory shade under the brow bone, then sweep on a matte camel or light taupe shade through your crease.
Step 3: Add the olive shimmer. Here comes the fun part – pat a satin or shimmer olive green shadow (in this palette, I mixed the “hope” and “wings” shades) across the middle of your eyelid with your fingertip for the most vibrant payoff.
If you just want a gorgeous single olive shimmer instead of investing in an entire palette, this Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre Shadow in “velvet” ($40) is stunning. And a lower-priced option for a single would be this Half Magic Shadow in “lil deranged” ($15).
Step 4: Define and line. You can go a step further by deepening the outer corner with a matte chocolate brown or matte olive shade, then softly blend the edges so there are no harsh lines. Finish off with a deep brown eyeliner, using this great Clinique Brown Liner Duo ($30) or keep with the theme and go for an olive green liner ($15) for more drama. I also suggest adding a nude eyeliner ($7) along the lower waterline when playing with ANY colorful eyeshadows to further brighten the eyes.
Step 5: Finish with mascara, plenty of mascara, and you’re done.
What to Pair with Olive Eyes: Warm, Soft Makeup
Since olive green already makes a statement, keep the rest of your makeup simple and effortless. A warm peachy or warm rose blush adds a healthy glow without competing with the eyes. If you’ve never tried the absolutely iconic “Orgasm” blush shade from Nars ($36), now is the time.
Blush: Try the Nars Multiple Sticks if you’d like the cream blush version. This duo also includes their beautiful pink shade, “Bad Habit,” so mixing the two could work nicely. I always recommend these cream-to-soft powder sticks for my mature clients to keep the cheeks looking colorful enough but never harsh.
Lips: Finish off your lips with creamy pink nude, rosy beige, or soft peach shades for a beautiful look. The result is polished, modern, and perfect for everyday wear in the summertime or fall.
I started with the newest fad in lip liners – a stain lip pen – for those that don’t like a creamy or super noticeable lip liner. I am wearing the NYX Lip Lingerie Lip Stain in shade “cuff me” ($12). Hot tip – when you buy one of these, be sure to store it upside down so the ink stays near the tip.
There is something about this slim bullet L’Oreal Colour Riche Intense Matte Lip in “worth it” ($13), that feels so chic applying! I chose to go for a matte finish on my lips since my eyes and cheeks both have shimmery products applied. All about balance, ya know?!!
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To get your eyes and complexion completed – the BK Beauty Angie Hot n Flashy 7 pc brush set is still available at $79.99 (value $130), and I HIGHLY recommend these brushes if you’re in need of new ones.
My exact complexion products I used here were also shown on this recent LTK post where you can watch me apply and shop them all! Be sure you’re following along with me on my Shop LTK profile if you aren’t already. You can find most of my beauty faves all in one place there.
The Rest of the Look
My Free People Sasha dress here ($168). Comes in strawberry and blue prints as well and has pockets! It’s a dreamy dress.
A white or cream cardigan is a MUST for the upcoming transition seasons and looks cute even thrown over the shoulders! I wear my white cardigans with almost everything. A thin cashmere option from Tuckernuck here ($189), the Loft here ($50), and the Gap soft cardigan ($40).
A round disk earring feels very chic right now! Similar to mine by Bauble Bar at Nordstrom here ($38).
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FAQ: Your Olive Eyeshadow Questions Answered
What’s an easy fall transition eyeshadow look for mature eyes?
Olive green is one of the easiest fall transition shades for mature eyes because it’s soft and earthy rather than harsh. It adds depth and dimension without looking overdone.
What eye color does olive green eyeshadow look best on?
Olive green flatters nearly every eye color. It makes green and hazel eyes more vibrant, gives blue eyes beautiful contrast, and makes brown eyes look richer and warmer.
How do I keep an olive eyeshadow look from feeling too bold?
Prime the lid first so the color stays true, blend the edges softly so there are no harsh lines, and keep the rest of your makeup warm and simple — a soft blush and a nude or peach lip.
What products do I need for an olive eyeshadow look?
At minimum: an eye primer or brightener, a neutral matte transition shade, an olive green shadow (shimmer or matte), and a brown or olive eyeliner. A palette like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Nouveau covers all of it in one.
Can I wear olive eyeshadow with just one product instead of a full palette?
Yes — a single olive shimmer shadow, like the Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in “Velvet” or the budget-friendly Half Magic in “Lil Deranged,” gives you the full effect without investing in a whole palette.
Olive Inspiration
As summer will slowly give way to fall (I’m ready!) olive green is the perfect transition shade because it’s elegant rather than trendy. It still feels fresh enough for warm August afternoons but hints at the richer colors of autumn, making it an easy way to refresh your makeup bag for the season ahead. Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected eyeshadow color to make your entire makeup routine feel new again! Will you try this shade soon?
Last week I shared my most-used mid-year beauty MVP picks you might want to check out, since we now have only 5 months until the Christmas/holiday season!!
What’s your go-to fall eyeshadow shade? Tell me in the comments. Follow me on Instagram @jennysuemakeup for more makeup inspiration.
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