Honestly, if you were anywhere near the "beauty community" on YouTube circa 2015, you probably remember the absolute chaos that was the first Carli Bybel eyeshadow palette launch. People were literally losing their minds. The BH Cosmetics website didn't just slow down; it flat-out died. It was one of those moments in makeup history where a creator's influence felt bigger than the brands themselves.
But here we are in 2026. Trends have moved from heavy "Insta-glam" to "clean girl" and back to whatever "mob wife" aesthetic is trending this week. Yet, people still hunt for these palettes on Resell apps. Why? Because Carli Bybel—the New Jersey native with the signature long lashes and "aspire to inspire" mantra—actually understood undertones better than most corporate product developers.
The OG BH Cosmetics Collaboration (2015-2017)
Let's take a trip down memory lane. The original 14-color palette was a game-changer because of the price. We're talking $12.50 to $14.50. In a world where high-end palettes were $50+, getting 10 eyeshadows and four highlighters for the price of a Chipotle bowl was unheard of.
The color story was simple: mauves, earthy neutrals, and plummy browns. It sounds basic now, but at the time, everyone was obsessed with that "Kylie Jenner mauve" look. Carli nailed it. The highlighters were legendary, too. She included four different shades—pale pink, champagne, gold, and bronze—so that basically anyone from fair to deep skin tones could find a glow that didn't look like a stripe of white chalk.
Then came the Deluxe Edition in 2017.
It was bigger. Better? Maybe.
It jumped up to 21 shades. They kept the original 11 fan favorites and added 10 more. The packaging went from a slim white cardboard to a slightly sturdier, "quilted" look with rose gold accents. If the first one was a starter kit, the Deluxe Edition was the "I'm a professional now" version.
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What made the BH formula special?
- The Highlighters: They weren't chunky. You know those highlighters that show every single pore on your face? These didn't do that. They had a "melt-into-your-skin" vibe.
- The Mauves: Carli's mauve mattes were the perfect transition shades. They blended themselves.
- Versatility: You could use the highlighters as eyeshadows. You could use the dark browns as eyeliner. It was a one-and-done travel companion.
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Era (2019)
Just when people thought Carli was done with palettes, she dropped the ABH x Carli Bybel collaboration in October 2019. This was a massive step up in prestige. This wasn't a "drugstore" price point anymore; it was a full-blown $45 luxury launch.
The packaging was... polarizing. It was a bubbly, teal/blue-ish "pearl" textured material. Some loved it; some thought it looked like something from a 2004 Claire's. But the inside? That's where the magic happened.
The shade Cindy (named after her cat) was this bright, matte orange-coral that doubled as a blush. Then you had OA, a duo-chrome lavender blue that looked like nothing else in the ABH lineup. Unlike the "Modern Renaissance" or "Soft Glam" palettes which were very warm and orange-heavy, Carli’s palette leaned into cool tones and shimmers that felt very "celestial."
Why is it so hard to find now?
If you're looking for these today, you've probably noticed a problem: they're mostly discontinued.
BH Cosmetics went through a massive restructuring and bankruptcy around 2022 (later being bought by Revolution Beauty), and many of the old influencer collabs were purged. The ABH palette was always a "Limited Edition" release.
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But here is the interesting part. Carli didn't just let her legacy die. In recent years, she launched The Beauty Bybel, her own independent brand. She actually brought back an "OG Palette" through her own site and collaborations with subscription services like IPSY.
The 2026 Reality Check: Is it still worth it?
You might be tempted to buy an original 2015 palette off eBay. Don't. Powder products technically last a long time, but 11-year-old eyeshadow is pushing it. The oils in the shimmers can go rancid, and the preservatives definitely aren't working anymore.
If you want that Carli Bybel look now, you have two real options:
- The Beauty Bybel Official Site: She periodically restocks her "OG Palette" 18-pan version. It has the same DNA as the original—the mauves, the shimmers, the neutrals—but with a modernized, vegan formula.
- Il Makiage Collabs: Carli has done several "Moonstruck" collections with Il Makiage. While these are often face palettes (blush/bronzer/highlight), the quality is top-tier and gives that same "glowy" NJ-glam finish.
Common Misconceptions and Pro Tips
A lot of people think you need a massive 50-shade palette to do "glam" makeup. Carli proved that’s a lie. Most of her best looks were done with three shades: a transition matte, a deep brown for the outer V, and a shimmer on the lid.
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Pro Tip for the Shimmers: If you find an old ABH Carli palette or have her newer one, don't use a dry brush for the shimmery shades like Mandala or Aura. Carli always taught her "Bellas" to use a finger or a brush dampened with setting spray. It turns the shimmer into a metallic "foiled" look that doesn't budge.
Where to go from here
If you're still chasing that specific Carli Bybel eyeshadow palette aesthetic, don't just settle for any neutral palette. Look for "cool-toned mauves" or "taupe-leaning browns." Most modern palettes are either "Fire Orange" or "Naked Beige," but the secret to Carli's look was always that slight hint of purple/plum in the crease.
Check out her current brand, The Beauty Bybel, for the most up-to-date versions of her formulas. They’re cruelty-free and updated for 2026 standards, meaning no talc and better pigment longevity than the $12 versions we used in college. Stick to the official sources to ensure you aren't getting a counterfeit or an expired product from a decade ago.
The "YouTube Era" of makeup might be over, but a good mauve transition shade is forever.
Next Steps:
- Search for the "The Beauty Bybel OG Palette" on official retail sites to check for 2026 inventory.
- Verify the batch code on any secondhand "Limited Edition" ABH palettes to ensure they haven't been sitting in a humid bathroom for five years.
- Look into the Il Makiage x Carli Bybel face palettes if you primarily want the "glow" factor she is known for.