Lina LecaroGwen Stefani isn’t just a music superstar, she’s a local treasure who celebrates her So Cal roots with everything she does. In the 90’s, it seemed every trendy gal in L.A. coveted her L.A.M.B. (LOVE. ANGEL. MUSIC. BABY.) fashion and accessories, especially the Le SportSac purse collab. Her Harajuku Mini for Target line remains the coolest kids clothing the retailer has ever carried (we were lucky to have a toddler during its heyday and our daughter lived in the punky, reasonably-priced pieces). Her more exclusive line, Harajuku Lovers, branched out into other products, including a fragrance. Surprisingly though, Gwen never had a makeup line during her three decade-long career, until now. GXVE Beauty, which she released earlier this year, has already made an impact on the beauty scene, with vibrant red lipsticks and creamy nudes that don’t come off (even if you’re eating greasy Italian food, as we got to do with the singer herself at the brand’s launch party). With holiday party looks and gifting top of mind, it’s a perfect time to spotlight this L.A. golden girl’s glam goodies.
(Courtesy GXVE by Gwen Stefani)
(Courtesy GXVE by Gwen Stefani)
“This feels like the next chapter of my life,” Gwen shared at the party, which took place at her favorite Italian restaurant, Mama Cozza’s in Anaheim, back in March. “I wanted to pick up the pieces when my life and my family fell apart… a lot of beautiful things came out of that as they can if you work hard and you pray and you want it. This was one of those ideas, and I was like,’ I want to do something that is truly mine, that is me and that I know that I’m good at.”
Stefani was referencing her divorce from Bush’s Gavin Rossdale, which marked a fresh start in more ways than one. It led to a blissful new relationship with her The Voice co-star Blake Shelton, along with some new music (and duets with her new husband), and her foray into the beauty industry, which has been a long time coming.
Stefani performs at Mama Cozza’s in Anaheim. (Lina Lecaro)
“I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner,” she remarked, before performing an intimate acoustic set of her biggest hits.
Since she first came onto the music scene as singer for ska rockers No Doubt, Stefani has melded eye catching aesthetics into her looks and made them her own. From L.A. chola-style tanks and trousers to O.C. pinup girl hairdo’s to the Bindi craze, she rocked the cultures that were all around her growing up, and added her own rock n’ roll twist. L.A.M.B. is gone but it remains popular on resale sites like Poshmark. She’s also got an eyewear line and a small “Anaheim Hillbillies” sportswear line.
“I’ve played with makeup my entire life,” the mom of three, who currently lives in Encino, recalled. “I’ve been obsessed with makeup my entire life. My girlfriend’s mom had a shit ton of makeup and we would sort of play around with her Mary Kay and all that stuff. Then I went on to be a makeup girl behind the counter for Borghese and Ultima II.”
The recent unveiling of The GXVE Community— a proprietary digital platform for sharing looks and selling products via brand ambassadors who earn commissions, harkens back to those Mary Kay days, but with a modern focus on social media and the online makeup artist and tutorial crowd.
(Courtesy GXVE by Gwen Stefani)
Makeup is clearly a longstanding love for the 53-year-old, who rocks it so well, it’s served as inspiration of multiple generations of women (and men). Alongside other 50-something stars such as Jennifer Anniston and Jennifer Lopez (who just launched a skincare brand herself) Gwen’s success proves bold beauty looks need not be limited by “age appropriate” boundaries. Her decision to create cosmetics now solidifies this idea. A glossy lip, long lash and strong brow are powerful and timeless. From eyebrow pencils to a silky primer to neutral shadows, GXVE has your festive face covered. Of course, the line’s lip colors in both liquid and sticks, are the standouts here (our favorite shade is “original recipe” red).
New for Christmas: Gwen’s most popular lip shades come in a mini-pack and her new “Eye See Sparkle” pots come in gift sets– perfect stocking stuffers for the Holla (Back) Days and beyond. They’re available online at gxvebeauty.com and at your local Sephora.
“Makeup is not just about the formula, makeup is a feeling that you get when you put it on and you are that version of who you want to be that day,” the singer said. ” I want to play and I want to be creative and that’s what we’re doing here. It’s not rocket science, it’s makeup, but it’s super fun.”
Read more of our beauty industry coverage below.
Looking Good: L.A.’s Beauty Service Industry is Surviving and Thriving Post-Pandemic
Asian Beauty in Bloom: L.A.-Based Cosmetics Companies to Try and Buy for AAPI Heritage Month
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