When searching for the best vegan palettes out there, I came across this super affordable palette from BH Cosmetics in collaboration with vegan beauty and fashion guru Carli Bybel. It contains ten gorgeous neutral shimmer and matte shadows along with four highlighter shades, all vegan and cruelty free.
The Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette, $14.50, is available at BH Cosmetics and Ulta. "Carli's taste for chic refinement and modern elegance inspired her to select a collection of earthy neutrals and plummy brown shadows with four face highlighters that complement every skin tone. The mix of mattes and shimmers makes it easy to go from amped-up evening intensity to toned-down daytime options."
The shades do not have names so I will describe them according to their battleship coordinates.
Top Row (Eyeshadows), L to R:
A1- Neutral Ivory (Matte)- This is such a nicely pigmented matte shadow! Its silky texture and impressive pigmentation made this shade an unexpected standout for me, perfect for blending all over the lid and brow bone.
A2- Iridescent Pink (Shimmer)- A chic pink, this shade glistens when applied all over the lid or as a bright accent in the center, to emulate where the light would naturally shine.
A3- Mauve Taupe (Matte)- This unique transition color is a departure from my standard beige taupe and blends beautifully into the crease.
A4- Mauve Plum (Matte)- Deeper and more purple than A3, this shade also looks stunning when blended into the crease. They can be mixed together for a nicely blended haze of mauve.
A5- Dark Plum (Matte)- I found this one to be a very buildable deep purple shade, as well as a fun alternative to a standard black or brown shadow for a smokey eye.
Middle Row (Eyeshadows), L to R:
B1- Champagne (Shimmer)- This classic standby champagne shadow is slightly darker and less pink than A2, but it is similarly gorgeous all over the lid or in the center.
B2- Gold (Shimmer)- A stunning light gold, this shade can layer and build up for more of a statement, or apply soft and blended out for a more demure look.
B3- Bronze (Shimmer)- A subtle cousin to the copper shades in the palette, this one is equally flattering and sophisticated. I love how this shade pops with my grayish blue eyes.
B4- Copper (Shimmer)- This is such a standout shade! I love blending this one underneath my eyes for a pop of metallic color.
B5- Dark Ash Brown (Shimmer)- If applied wet, this becomes a darker blackened graphite shade. It is one of my favorites; useful for deepening the crease and outer corner of the eye for added drama.
Bottom Row (Highlighters), L to R:
C1- Light Pearl Pink (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the A2 shadow, this iridescent pearly pink highlight is on trend. I really like how its slightly unusual hue stands out on my pale skin.
C2- Bright Champagne (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the B1 shadow, this champagne shade is gorgeous on all skin tones. I have also tried blending it together with C1, and really enjoy the combination of the two.
C3- Metallic Gold (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B2 shadow, this one is a bit too dark as a highlight for me but it is beautiful as a shadow, and it would be a gorgeous highlight on darker skin tones.
C4- Metallic Bronze (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B4 shadow, Carli intended for this one to be used as a bronzer. It is also beautiful as a shadow, and I think it would look amazing as a highlight on very dark skin tones.
If it's not already obvious, I was blown away by this awesome palette. There is not a single bad shade in the bunch. The buttery texture and pigmentation is on par with that of expensive high end palettes, which is especially impressive considering the super affordable price. I love how versatile it is. For instance, eyeshadows A2, B1 and B2 can be used as highlighters, while all the highlighters can double as eyeshadows. The possibilities are endless. The palette is limited edition, so if you think this might be your jam, I recommend picking one up while you still can!
Top Row (Eyeshadows), L to R:
A1- Neutral Ivory (Matte)- This is such a nicely pigmented matte shadow! Its silky texture and impressive pigmentation made this shade an unexpected standout for me, perfect for blending all over the lid and brow bone.
A2- Iridescent Pink (Shimmer)- A chic pink, this shade glistens when applied all over the lid or as a bright accent in the center, to emulate where the light would naturally shine.
A3- Mauve Taupe (Matte)- This unique transition color is a departure from my standard beige taupe and blends beautifully into the crease.
A4- Mauve Plum (Matte)- Deeper and more purple than A3, this shade also looks stunning when blended into the crease. They can be mixed together for a nicely blended haze of mauve.
A5- Dark Plum (Matte)- I found this one to be a very buildable deep purple shade, as well as a fun alternative to a standard black or brown shadow for a smokey eye.
Middle Row (Eyeshadows), L to R:
B1- Champagne (Shimmer)- This classic standby champagne shadow is slightly darker and less pink than A2, but it is similarly gorgeous all over the lid or in the center.
B2- Gold (Shimmer)- A stunning light gold, this shade can layer and build up for more of a statement, or apply soft and blended out for a more demure look.
B3- Bronze (Shimmer)- A subtle cousin to the copper shades in the palette, this one is equally flattering and sophisticated. I love how this shade pops with my grayish blue eyes.
B4- Copper (Shimmer)- This is such a standout shade! I love blending this one underneath my eyes for a pop of metallic color.
B5- Dark Ash Brown (Shimmer)- If applied wet, this becomes a darker blackened graphite shade. It is one of my favorites; useful for deepening the crease and outer corner of the eye for added drama.
Bottom Row (Highlighters), L to R:
C1- Light Pearl Pink (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the A2 shadow, this iridescent pearly pink highlight is on trend. I really like how its slightly unusual hue stands out on my pale skin.
C2- Bright Champagne (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the B1 shadow, this champagne shade is gorgeous on all skin tones. I have also tried blending it together with C1, and really enjoy the combination of the two.
C3- Metallic Gold (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B2 shadow, this one is a bit too dark as a highlight for me but it is beautiful as a shadow, and it would be a gorgeous highlight on darker skin tones.
C4- Metallic Bronze (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B4 shadow, Carli intended for this one to be used as a bronzer. It is also beautiful as a shadow, and I think it would look amazing as a highlight on very dark skin tones.
If it's not already obvious, I was blown away by this awesome palette. There is not a single bad shade in the bunch. The buttery texture and pigmentation is on par with that of expensive high end palettes, which is especially impressive considering the super affordable price. I love how versatile it is. For instance, eyeshadows A2, B1 and B2 can be used as highlighters, while all the highlighters can double as eyeshadows. The possibilities are endless. The palette is limited edition, so if you think this might be your jam, I recommend picking one up while you still can!