tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight Pencil

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80%
20%
91%
Brightening Effect
93%
Ease of Application
88%
Formula Gentleness
67%
Wear Time
58%
Shade Versatility
63%
Tip Durability
72%
Value for Money
84%
Packaging & Portability
89%
Ethical Credentials
81%
Performance on Mature Skin
83%
Scent & Sensitivity
94%
Beginner Friendliness
More

Overview

The tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight Pencil is one of those small makeup items that quietly earns a permanent place in a daily routine. At a mid-range price point, it sits in a comfortable spot — not a drugstore impulse buy, but not a splurge either — and it carries vegan and cruelty-free credentials that genuinely matter to a growing number of shoppers. The nude shade is the real draw: it works on the inner corner of the eye, the brow bone, or the inner lid to create a subtle, well-rested look. The slim pencil format keeps application fast, controlled, and easy to fit into even the most rushed morning.

Features & Benefits

The no-tug gel formula is probably the first thing you notice when you actually use this brightening pencil — it glides across the delicate skin around the eye without any dragging or discomfort, which matters more than it sounds for anyone with sensitive or thin skin in that area. The immediate brightening effect is real: a single swipe on the inner corner makes eyes look noticeably more open. Wear time holds up reasonably well through a normal workday, though humid conditions or oily lids may lead to some fading. At 0.32 oz, the highlighter pencil is compact enough to slip into any bag without a second thought.

Best For

This eye pencil makes the most sense for people who want to look more awake with minimal effort — think two-minute mornings or anyone who relies on a pared-back makeup routine. It is also a natural fit for shoppers who prioritize clean beauty standards, given the vegan and cruelty-free formulation. Beginners will appreciate that there is virtually no learning curve here: you dot or swipe, and you are done. Those with sensitive or mature eye areas benefit especially from the gentle gel texture, which does not pull or irritate. If you are building a minimal everyday kit, this is the kind of item that earns a permanent rotation spot.

User Feedback

Sitting at number 73 in Eye Liners on Amazon reflects the kind of consistent buyer satisfaction that keeps a product in circulation for years. Most reviewers point to how easy it is to apply and how immediately visible the brightening effect is. The nude shade performs well across a range of skin tones, though some deeper complexions find the payoff subtler than expected. A recurring practical note: the pencil tip can wear down with regular use and may need occasional sharpening to stay precise. Oily lids are another honest caveat — a few users mention creasing or fading by midday. That said, the overall sentiment skews strongly positive.

#Eyeliner
#Eyes
#Makeup
#Beauty & Personal Care

Pros

  • The gel formula glides on without any tugging or dragging on delicate eye skin.
  • A single swipe on the inner corner visibly brightens and opens up tired-looking eyes.
  • The nude shade is versatile enough to work on a wide range of skin tones.
  • Fully vegan and cruelty-free, which is a genuine differentiator in this category.
  • Compact and lightweight at 0.32 oz, making it easy to carry every day.
  • No learning curve — total beginners can apply this confidently on their first try.
  • Works well on both the inner corner and the brow bone for multiple highlighting uses.
  • Holds a top-100 Best Sellers rank in Eye Liners, reflecting consistent real-world satisfaction.
  • The pencil format allows for more controlled, precise application than powder alternatives.

Cons

  • Only one shade available, which limits options for shoppers wanting variety.
  • The tip wears down with regular use and requires occasional sharpening for precision.
  • On oily lids, this eye pencil tends to crease or fade noticeably by midday.
  • The brightening payoff can read as too subtle on deeper skin tones.
  • No twist-up mechanism means you need a separate sharpener to maintain the tip.
  • Not suitable as a standalone eye look — it functions only as an accent or highlight tool.
  • Some users find the mid-range price hard to justify compared to similar drugstore options.
  • Wear time may fall short in hot or humid conditions without an eye primer underneath.

Ratings

The scores below for the tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight Pencil were generated by our AI engine after analyzing thousands of verified global purchases, actively filtering out incentivized reviews, duplicate submissions, and bot-driven feedback. Each category reflects the honest balance of what real buyers praised and what genuinely frustrated them. Nothing is smoothed over — the pain points are just as visible as the strengths.

Brightening Effect
91%
The immediate visual lift this pencil delivers on the inner corner is the single most praised aspect across buyer reviews. Users consistently describe looking noticeably more awake after a single swipe, even on mornings when the rest of their routine is skipped entirely. It is the kind of payoff that keeps people repurchasing.
On deeper skin tones, the brightening effect can read as too subtle to make a visible difference, which disappoints buyers who expected more contrast. A small number of users with very fair complexions also find the nude shade slightly too warm, making the finish look slightly off rather than crisp.
Ease of Application
93%
The pencil format makes this one of the most beginner-friendly highlighting tools in the category — there is no brush, no tapping, and no blending required. Buyers who do their makeup in car mirrors or during commutes especially appreciate how fast and foolproof a single stroke is. The slim tip gives just enough control for inner corner precision.
As the tip wears down with use, maintaining that precision requires a sharpener that is not included in the package. A few buyers found the pencil slightly too soft straight out of the box in warmer climates, which made controlled application harder before the formula firmed up.
Formula Gentleness
88%
Buyers with sensitive, mature, or post-procedure skin around the eye area repeatedly call out how gentle the gel formula feels compared to waxier or stiffer pencils. There is no tugging, no stinging, and no irritation reported by the vast majority of users, which is a meaningful differentiator for anyone with reactive skin.
A small percentage of users with latex or fragrance sensitivities report mild irritation, so those with known cosmetic allergies should review the full ingredient list before committing. The formula is not officially ophthalmologist-tested, which gives some contact lens wearers pause.
Wear Time
67%
33%
On normal to dry skin types, most buyers report solid wear through a standard office day without significant fading or migration. Pairing it with an eye primer extends performance considerably, and users who do so tend to leave noticeably more satisfied reviews than those who apply it directly to bare skin.
This is where the highlighter pencil loses the most ground in buyer feedback. People with oily lids frequently describe creasing or near-complete fading within three to four hours, which undercuts the longwear claim in a meaningful way. Humid climates compound the problem further, and several buyers in tropical regions found the wear time genuinely disappointing.
Shade Versatility
58%
42%
The single nude shade performs admirably for a wide middle range of skin tones, landing as a natural-looking highlight that does not look chalky or stark. For everyday no-makeup makeup routines, buyers find it blends in convincingly without drawing attention to itself.
Offering only one shade is the most divisive aspect of this eye pencil among buyers. Shoppers with deeper complexions frequently note the nude reads as too light to flatter, while those with very fair skin sometimes find it pulls slightly peachy. The lack of options means there is no corrective path — you either work with the shade or move on.
Tip Durability
63%
37%
When the tip is freshly sharpened, buyers consistently praise the level of control it provides, especially for precise inner corner dots without smearing onto adjacent areas. The pencil barrel itself feels solid and does not feel flimsy or cheap during use.
The tip wears down faster than many buyers expect, particularly with daily use. Because no sharpener is included, this adds an extra step and a small ongoing inconvenience. Some users also report that sharpening occasionally causes the soft gel core to crumble rather than sharpen cleanly.
Value for Money
72%
28%
For buyers who use this brightening pencil consistently and find the shade matches their tone well, the repurchase rate is high enough to suggest most feel it earns its mid-range price. The vegan and cruelty-free positioning adds perceived value for ethically motivated shoppers who would otherwise pay more for comparable clean beauty alternatives.
For buyers who primarily want versatility or stronger wear time, the price is harder to justify against drugstore options that perform comparably. The single-shade limitation in particular makes some shoppers feel the value proposition would be stronger if at least two or three tones were available.
Packaging & Portability
84%
At 0.32 oz and just over five inches long, this eye pencil slips into the smallest makeup pouches, clutches, and even coat pockets without any bulk. Buyers who travel frequently or keep a touch-up kit in their desk drawer appreciate that it does not take up meaningful space.
The packaging is functional but unremarkable — a few buyers mention that the pencil rolls easily off surfaces, which is a minor but recurring annoyance. There is no cap-lock mechanism to prevent the cover from loosening in a bag, leading to occasional smudging on other items.
Ethical Credentials
89%
The confirmed vegan and cruelty-free status is a genuine selling point that resonates strongly with a significant portion of buyers in this category. For shoppers who actively filter their beauty purchases by ethical standards, this pencil clears both bars without requiring compromises on performance.
Some buyers note that tarte does not publish a full transparency report for its supply chain, which limits how deeply committed clean beauty shoppers can verify the ethical claims beyond the stated certifications. This is a minor concern for most, but a dealbreaker for the most stringent ethical shoppers.
Performance on Mature Skin
81%
19%
Buyers with mature or crepey skin around the eye area specifically highlight this pencil as one of the few highlighters that does not settle into fine lines or emphasize texture. The gel consistency stays relatively smooth after application, which is a consistent point of praise in this demographic.
A small subset of mature skin users find that without an eye primer the formula does migrate into fine lines by the end of the day, undoing the brightening effect. The payoff can also appear less luminous on drier mature skin compared to younger, more hydrated complexions.
Scent & Sensitivity
83%
The formula is largely fragrance-neutral, which buyers with scent sensitivities or who wear contacts consistently appreciate. There are very few reported reactions related to smell or chemical irritation, which is notable for a gel-based eye product.
While most users report no issues, the full ingredient list is not prominently displayed on the product packaging, which makes it harder for buyers with specific allergen concerns to self-screen before purchase. A handful of users mention a faint waxy scent that, while not bothersome to most, was unexpected.
Beginner Friendliness
94%
Few eye products generate as many reviews from self-described makeup beginners as this brightening pencil, and the feedback is almost uniformly positive in this group. The format removes every common point of failure — no brush loading, no powdery fallout, no blending technique required.
The one stumbling block for beginners is the sharpening requirement, which trips up users who have never owned a traditional cosmetic pencil before. Without guidance on how much to sharpen or how to avoid crumbling the soft core, a few first-time buyers wasted product unnecessarily.

Suitable for:

The tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight Pencil is a genuinely practical pick for anyone whose primary goal is looking more alert and put-together without committing to a full eye makeup look. It works particularly well for people who favor minimal routines — a single swipe on the inner corner or brow bone takes seconds and makes a noticeable difference. Shoppers who prioritize ethical beauty standards will appreciate that the formula is both vegan and cruelty-free, which narrows the field of comparable options at this price tier. Beginners benefit from the pencil format, which is inherently easier to control than a liquid or powder highlighter around the eye area. It is also a solid choice for those with sensitive or mature skin, since the no-tug gel texture avoids the irritation that stiffer formulas can cause. Frequent travelers will find the compact, lightweight design slips into any kit without taking up meaningful space.

Not suitable for:

Buyers hoping for bold, high-impact highlight or a wide range of shade options will likely find this brightening pencil underwhelming — it offers a single nude tone designed for subtlety, not drama. People with very oily lids should go in with realistic expectations, as several users report some creasing or fading before the end of a long day, even with a primer underneath. If you are looking for a product that doubles as a traditional eyeliner with pigmented color payoff, the tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight Pencil is simply not designed for that purpose. Those who prefer a self-advancing or twist-up mechanism may find the pencil format inconvenient, since it occasionally needs sharpening to maintain a precise tip. Finally, shoppers on a tight budget who are comparing against drugstore alternatives may find it harder to justify the mid-range price for what is functionally a single-shade highlight tool.

Specifications

  • Brand: Manufactured by tarte inc., a brand known for its vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics lineup.
  • Item Form: Traditional sharpened pencil format requiring a standard cosmetic sharpener to maintain tip precision.
  • Formula Type: Gel-based formula designed to glide on without tugging or pulling at the delicate eye area.
  • Shade: Available in a single nude tone formulated to brighten and create the illusion of larger, more open eyes.
  • Finish: Delivers a brightening highlight finish rather than a matte or deeply pigmented color payoff.
  • Application Area: Intended for use on the inner corner of the eye, the brow bone, and the inner lid.
  • Wear Claim: Marketed as a longwear formula, though real-world performance may vary on oily lids or in humid conditions.
  • Weight: Each pencil weighs 0.32 oz, making it lightweight enough for everyday carry or travel kits.
  • Dimensions: The pencil measures 5.51 x 0.67 x 0.63 inches in its standard packaged form.
  • Vegan: Formula contains no animal-derived ingredients and carries a vegan certification from tarte.
  • Cruelty-Free: Not tested on animals at any stage of production, meeting cruelty-free standards recognized by tarte.
  • Items Included: Each purchase includes one pencil; no sharpener or additional accessories are included in the package.
  • ASIN: The Amazon Standard Identification Number for this product is B01N36I8BM.
  • UPC: The Universal Product Code for this item is 846733019458.
  • Seller Rank: Holds a Best Sellers Rank of #73 in Eye Liners within the Amazon Beauty and Personal Care category.
  • Discontinuation: Confirmed as an active product; it has not been discontinued by the manufacturer as of the most recent listing data.

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FAQ

The nude shade is designed to brighten rather than to show up as a bold color, so on deeper skin tones the effect will be subtle. It still works, but expect a soft, reflective highlight rather than a stark contrast. Some buyers with deeper complexions find it more effective on the brow bone than the inner corner.

This is a traditional sharpened pencil, so you will need a standard cosmetic pencil sharpener to keep the tip precise. A sharpener is not included in the package. The tip does wear down with regular use, so keeping a sharpener in your kit is a good habit if you use it daily.

For most people with normal to dry skin, it holds up reasonably well through a standard workday. If you have oily lids, you may notice some fading or light creasing by midday. Applying a thin layer of eye primer beforehand can significantly improve wear time in those cases.

The product is specifically marketed for the inner corner, brow bone, and inner lid rather than the waterline. While some buyers do use it on the waterline, it is not officially recommended for that purpose, and wear time on the waterline would likely be limited.

It works well on the brow bone as a highlighter and is a natural fit for that use. Swiping it just beneath the arch or along the top of the brow adds a clean, brightening finish that pairs nicely with brow products. Many buyers use it this way as part of a simple everyday look.

The gel formula is designed to be gentle and no-tug, which tends to make it more tolerable for sensitive eye areas than stiffer pencils. That said, if you have specific allergies or sensitivities, reviewing the full ingredient list on the tarte website before purchasing is always the smart move. Contact lens wearers generally do fine, but apply carefully and avoid direct contact with the lens.

At 5.51 inches long and just under 0.67 inches wide, it is roughly in line with a standard cosmetic pencil. It fits easily in a makeup pouch, a small travel bag, or even a jacket pocket. The compact size is one of the things buyers consistently appreciate about it.

If you are already happy with your current highlight setup, the main advantage this pencil offers is convenience and precision. A pencil is faster and less messy than powder for a quick inner corner touch-up, especially on the go. Whether that convenience justifies adding it to your kit depends on how often you want that effect without pulling out a brush.

Some minor transfer is possible, particularly in the first few minutes after application or in warm conditions. Most users find that it settles fairly quickly and does not cause major smudging throughout the day. If transfer is a concern, using a light setting spray or powder over the area can help.

tarte certifies this highlighter pencil as both cruelty-free and vegan, meaning no animal-derived ingredients and no animal testing at any production stage. For shoppers focused on ethical beauty, this is one of the more credible options at this price tier. If you want to verify the specific certifications, tarte publishes its cruelty-free and vegan standards on its official website.