Banana Eyeliner Tutorial With Makeup Artist Tips and Photos
How to Do the "Banana Eyeliner" Trend in 3 Steps
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Blame it on "Euphoria," face masks, or the universal need to add some colour into our pandemic lives, but graphic eyeliner has been having a moment. While we've seen many different versions of this creative makeup look — fairy-wing, reverse, floating — there's one that Hollywood, and therefore we, can't get enough of: the "banana eyeliner" trend.
Banana eyeliner is categorised by its rounded c-shape that sits just above the crease of the eye. The look dates back to the 1960s when Twiggy famously wore it, but Lucy Boynton, Shay Mitchell, and Lori Harvey all wore their own version of the look more recently.
We love the makeup trend for its simplicity and how wearable it is for every day. While we can't say we'll be sketching intricate fairy wing shapes onto our eyelids every morning, we can see ourselves quickly free-handing this singular line for a little extra drama when we have five extra minutes to allot to our routine.
With the help of celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes, we're detailing how to do the banana eyeliner trend in just three easy steps. To start, all you need is your favourite foundation, a gel or cream eyeliner pencil in a fun colour, some cotton swabs, micellar water (to clean up the edges), and a good mascara to finish off the look.
Keep scrolling for the full banana eyeliner makeup tutorial.
Step 1: Apply Your Foundation Base
The first step of any solid makeup look is creating a smooth base by applying your foundation and concealer. We're liking the new Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation (£35) for its buildable medium to full coverage and satin, real-skin finish. Jane Hughes recommends you "prime the brush" by mixing it around in the liquid foundation formula to coat the bristles then pressing it into the skin in dabbing motions. This gives you great coverage while also helping get rid of any brush strokes or texture on the skin.
To avoid creasing on your eyelids, Jane Hughes limits the amount of product she applies to that area. Once you're blended, she says to "puff your cheeks" by filling them with air and using your fingers to press the foundation into your nasolabial folds. Raise your eyebrows and repeat that process on your eyelids to keep the product from creasing there, as well.
Use the same "priming" technique with your brush to apply your concealer where you want to spot cover, like under your eyes and on blemishes.
Step 2: Trace the "Banana" Eyeliner Shape
Once your base makeup is done, it's time to move on to the star of the show: the eyes. Grab an eyeliner pencil that glides onto the skin easily and is super pigmented. We like the Artist Colour Pencil (£15) or the It-Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Gel Eyeliner (£19). You can also use a liquid, but pencils are more forgiving should you accidentally make a mistake.
To get the floating banana eyeliner shape, you won't want to go about it the same way that you apply a cat-eye. Keep your eyes open, your eyebrows neutral, and look straight on in the mirror — this helps keep the shape even. The placement should be right above the crease of your eye so that it's still visible when your eyes are open (it's also less likely to smudge this way).
Once you've finished drawing on the shape, go in with a cotton swab soaked in micellar water to clean up around the edges and erase any mistakes. Jane Hughes suggests you "give it a little kick at the end" by "shaving off" some of the eyeliner at the tail to create a tapered end — similar to how you would with a classic eyeliner wing.
To sharpen the eyeliner edge even more, take some of your foundation or concealer onto an angled brush and trace along either side of the line as needed. Repeat the process on the other side.
Step 3: Apply Lipstick and Mascara
Once you're happy with your banana eyeliner shape on both sides, it's time to finish the rest of your makeup. Heavy mascara helps tie the '60-inspired look together. Layer on multiple coats of a volumising mascara, like the L'Oreal Paris Makeup Lash Paradise Mascara (£12), to your top and bottom lashes. To create a slightly clumped look you can hold your finger or a cotton swab under your lashes while you comb the brush through.
If time allows, you can add some monochrome colour to your lips and cheeks. Apply some lipstick and brush that same colour onto the apples of your cheeks. You can also use a two-in-one makeup product, like the Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick (£30.50).
