As we age, hydration decreases, dullness increases, and makeup tends to settle into fine lines. For this reason, the older I get, the more I prefer cream makeup formulas. While some cream formulas like Westman Atelier and Dibs apply well and are long-lasting, I don't feel confident that they are non-toxic. Ilia is non-toxic, but I find their formulas too stiff and difficult to blend. Fortunately, I've finally found the Holy Grail of non-toxic, creamy, long-lasting makeup - Olive Rose has entered the room.
This is Oliveda’s makeup line, the same brand that makes up most of my skincare routine, and it unexpectedly launched this week. Unlike other makeup brands, Olive Rose is different because it’s skincare and makeup in one, and it's also on my list of the 6 best clean makeup brands. Think hydrating, glowy, and lightweight formulas that work for your skin.
The Star of the Show: HT Serum Hydroxytyrosol Skin Tint
The HT Serum Hydroxytyrosol Skin Tint might be my favorite product from the new line. I've liked their skin tint for a while, and while the previous dropper packaging drove me nuts, they have thankfully improved it. More importantly, they also improved the formula a bit, so it applies more evenly and has a bit more coverage. It’s still my #1 choice of all the tinted SPF I’ve tried.
The Olive Rose Skin Tint is a buildable, hydrating, brightening formula with a dewy finish. As a mix of skincare and makeup, it features the main antioxidant ingredient in all Oliveda products: hydroxytyrosol, plus hyaluronic acid. It is also formulated without any water, so it doesn’t run off with sweat. I really love it!
It is on the liquid-y side, similar to Ilia and Daybird. It goes on very smoothly and doesn’t settle into lines. The coverage is great. I use this Better Blender from Beautycounter to apply it.
Key Ingredients and Benefits
Olive Rose isn’t just makeup-it’s an advanced skincare + beauty powerhouse in one. Oliveda’s formula is a blend of Hydroxytyrosol (one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants), low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and nourishing bioactive ingredients. They even have an Olive Rose Shade Finder to help you find the perfect tint for your skin. I took the quiz and I am a shade 07.
Hydroxytyrosol is a superpowerful antioxidant and the key ingredient in all Oliveda products. It protects the skin from free radicals and environmental and UV-induced damage, and it also helps reduce wrinkles, enhance firmness, and improve skin elasticity. Oleuropein is another antioxidant found in olive tree extract. It has anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, and it’s especially great for sensitive or irritated skin. Hyaluronic acid is the “great hydrator”. It helps the skin retain moisture throughout the day, which is great for preventing makeup from settling into lines and wrinkles.
The Serum Skin Tint uses clean ingredients with no added fragrance, parabens, alcohol, or silicones. It actually smells fresh, even with no fragrance added, which is a nice change from the ILIA Serum Skin Tint that smells like dog food. (It has a similar texture and coverage if you are familiar with that product.) No matter what coverage I use, my skin always feels dry by the afternoon, but the Olive Rose Skin Tint keeps my skin hydrated all day without feeling heavy or greasy.
Application and Shade Range
Shake well. Use the dropper. Squeeze the mixed pigment, then dispense about half of the dispensing tube’s amount into your palm or onto a beauty sponge/brush. Blend like skincare. Gently smooth the product onto clean skin like a serum using your fingers or a foundation brush. Blend evenly for a natural finish.
Olive Rose comes in 18 shades and more are to come. The best way to find your shade is with the Olive Rose Shade Finder, which takes you through a quiz to determine your perfect shade from their 18 options. I am shade 04, and I’m debating going up a shade. If you want more coverage, simply layer the product in the desired areas. It can be worn alone or with foundation over the top. You can also use lighter colors to highlight and darker colors to contour.
My favorite thing about Olive Rose is that it’s makeup + skincare in one. I just love that while I’m going about my day, the skin tint is hydrating, protecting, and nourishing my skin all day long. I particularly love this as someone with super dry skin because it gives me a fresh, dewy appearance.
Exploring Other Olive Rose Products
Serum Concealer
This Serum Concealer gives light to medium coverage and feels very hydrating, making it great for a natural, fresh-faced look. For reference, this RMS concealer and this Ilia concealer are my go-to’s.
HT Shaping Contour
The HT Shaping Contour blends like Westman Atelier but without the “dirty” finish that Dibs sometimes gives. The undertone is super natural, and it melts right into your skin instead of sitting on top.
HT Blush Glow
I tried the Sweet Rose shade in the HT Blush Glow, and I’m obsessed. It’s creamier than Ilia’s blush and lasts way longer on my skin than Merit’s. It gives that perfect dewy flush without feeling sticky or heavy. A must-try.
Lip Butter and Mascara
The Olive Rose lip butter is creamy, hydrating, and has beautiful color payoff. This mascara applies beautifully and gives serious volume, much more than Ilia or Merit. Unfortunately, it smudged on me (I can only wear tubing mascaras).
Setting Spray and Priming Serum
I’ve been loyal to Charlotte Tilbury’s setting spray (despite knowing it’s not the cleanest), so I didn’t expect much from the Olive Rose Setting Spray. The color looks intense in the bottle (it has a bronze color due to the hydroxytyrosol ingredients), but once you spray it, it’s magic. It’s hydrating, sets makeup without stiffness, and makes your skin look alive.
At first, this priming serum was just okay. Then, I used it on a day when I didn’t sleep well and was just feeling blah, and I was shocked at how much it made me look alive. I’m in love.
Overall Impression of the Olive Rose Line
Overall, I’d give the new Olive Rose line an 8/10. It’s the most hydrating makeup I’ve ever used, and it truly feels more like applying skincare than makeup. If you don’t like the look of makeup, this is for you, since it’s like your skin but better. It evens skin and makes it glow, but it has even less coverage than tinted moisturizer. I imagine I’ll like this even more in the summer.
The coverage may also be a con, depending on your personal preference. It feels more like tinted skincare than makeup - but that’s the point. If you like more coverage, I recommend Crunchi’s tinted SPF. It has more coverage while still providing the hydration and “no makeup” feel. This doesn’t contain SPF, so I still have to layer one over it.
Olive Rose started as a personal and family-inspired journey. As a teenager, Magda struggled with skin issues and realized many cosmetics were water-based and had harmful ingredients.