Ethnicity vs. skin tone

[darkerhorse]

Hispanics also come to mind, with olive under brown.

My grandfather's family had some with complexions like that but my grandmother's family had olive under white or cream at best with more European hair texture and facial features.

That's why I suspect my grandfather's line had some African or Middle East heritage somewhere along the line. His side also had some hair textures and facial features that were less European.

[MarcuccioV]

Hispanics also come to mind, with olive under brown.

My grandfather's family had some with complexions like that but my grandmother's family had olive under white or cream at best with more European hair texture and facial features.

That's why I suspect my grandfather's line had some African or Middle East heritage somewhere along the line. His side also had some hair textures and facial features that were less European.

My grandfather's hair was relatively straight (unlike many wavy-haired Italians) and he looked almost more Greek. Since my Italian-side DNA includes Greek, Aegean and Cypriot this could very well be a contributing factor in his "bruno" skin tone...

[darkerhorse]

Yes, my grandfather's complexion is described as "bruno" on his passport.

[darkerhorse]

I saw an interesting video.

It seems skin color is a combination of red, white, blue, and yellow. Olive comes from blue and yellow. The more blue the cooler, the more yellow the warmer looking. Red changes olive to brown. That's how a ruddy complexion arises from olive. Sunlight enhances it.

So, in my case, my father looked ruddy (at least in his youth) while my grandfather appeared brownish or chestnut. My grandmother must have had more white than red, resulting in light-to-medium olive complexion, as opposed to brown or ruddy.

Of course, even light-to-medium olive skin will brown in the sun.

Seems to make sense.

[darkerhorse]

I wonder if there's a scientific test to determine the composition of color in the skin?

I had an aura photo taken once by a special camera.

[MarcuccioV]

I'm currently working out in the sun (8+ hrs/day), and I've darkened considerably with no burning whatsoever.

I have to say I feel blessed to have my olive skin, no matter how you wish to describe it...

[darkerhorse]

Another case of OP.

[darkerhorse]

I'm currently working out in the sun (8+ hrs/day), and I've darkened considerably with no burning whatsoever.

I have to say I feel blessed to have my olive skin, no matter how you wish to describe it...

Sunscreen?

[MarcuccioV]

I'm currently working out in the sun (8+ hrs/day), and I've darkened considerably with no burning whatsoever.

I have to say I feel blessed to have my olive skin, no matter how you wish to describe it...

Sunscreen?

Rarely, if ever. Maybe when in the pool on occasion (since I'm exposing skin normally covered by a shirt). I tend to tan rather than burn, especially once I've built up some color. I do wear a large Australian-style bush hat I bought in Israel to keep sun off my face & neck while working...

[darkerhorse]

Do you find that some people envy your "olive privilege"?

[MarcuccioV]

Do you find that some people envy your "olive privilege"?

No one really comments on it other than the occasional "nice tan".

The only person I know jealous of it is my wife (who is practically all northern European stock and very fair)...

[darkerhorse]

I was just looking for an excuse to use that phrase.

[MarcuccioV]

I was just looking for an excuse to use that phrase.

When I saw it, I figured that was the "O.P." of the previous post. At least I can have a sense of humor about it. Priviledge or not, there isn't much I can do about it -- it's just me skin...

[darkerhorse]

Well, I believe the skin is just the visible part of some inheritance that goes deeper into your being, or that it represents more than just skin.

[darkerhorse]

The universe at play, inside your DNA...