I Tried the Tarte™ Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight—It’s Like Instant Beauty Sleep in a Pen
Confession: My sleep hygiene could probably benefit from an intervention. I feel like I can never get enough sleep. Between juggling a beyond-busy work schedule, maintaining my fitness routine, attempting to live a clutter-free life, and late nights binging YouTube videos on topics ranging from the latest and greatest Costco finds to the hottest beauty tea on IPSY’s Hitting Pan podcast—I don’t know how and when I’m supposed to get anywhere near the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
So, when I was asked to review the TARTE™ Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight, I jumped at the chance. Has TARTE™ really created a magical eyeliner that allows you to fake it (beauty sleep) ’til you make it, resulting in a bigger, brighter, wide-awake look? Is this all too good to be true? In the name of beauty science, I put it to the test. Keep reading to find out if this “trick in a stick™” actually delivers game-changing results.
What You Need to Know About the Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight
When my TARTE™ Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight arrived, I was very excited. I quickly ripped the package open and inspected the goods. I received the nude color (spoiler alert: you might receive it in your July Glam Bag!), which is designed to neutralize your waterline. After a little research on the brand’s website and trusty TikTok, I learned that you can also use this to brighten the inner corner of your eyes, brow bone, nose bridge, and Cupid’s bow. I was ready to get to work. Luckily, the twist-up pen made applying the waterproof gel eyeliner a breeze, gliding on smoothly and blending easily for flawless coverage. Plus, it’s powered by aloe vera, antioxidants, and none of the bad stuff.
Let’s Look Alive (AKA My Testing Strategy)
To start, I casually tested out the Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight on only one eye (my left eye in the photo below) and was immediately impressed by the “eye-opening” results. It shockingly made my left eye “pop” and appear bigger and brighter. But, would it last all day, and would I still feel the same about it by the end of the night? I decided to wear this on only one eye throughout the day, and then checked to see how “awake” I still looked by the time I was ready for my nighttime skincare routine.
To my delight, my left eye (the one with the product on it), still looked significantly bigger, brighter, and “more alive” when compared to my right eye, which was au natural. My left eye still looked the same as when I first applied it in the morning, and removing it was super easy with micellar water or an oil-based cleanser.
My second day using it, I applied the Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight along the inner rims and corners of both of my eyes, as well as along my brow bone, the bridge of my nose, and Cupid’s bow. I wore this all day and once again felt a long-lasting surge of glowing confidence when it came to the appearance of my eyes and other facial features.
Key Takeaways
My final verdict: Don’t sleep on the TARTE Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight. The hype is real and it definitely performs. Whether you’re a sleep-deprived insomniac or a well-rested sleeping beauty, anyone and everyone who’s ready for a quick eye boost can benefit from the incredible results. It does what the brand claims, helping you look like you’ve had “eight hours of beauty sleep…for the nights you only got four.” It’s effortless application makes it perfect for both makeup aficionados and makeup newbies (like me). I’ll definitely be adding this as a staple to my morning routine and can’t wait to keep looking “more awake.”
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