People Magazine (Feb. 15th 2016)
Spotlight On… Gwen Stefani
The rock-star mom opens up about makeup, music and what makes her happy
You’ve launched a makeup line with Urban Decay. What was the biggest challenge during the process?
Creating a red lipstick that I would take with me everywhere! They only wanted to make so many reds, but I was like, “How do you choose?”
You ended up releasing four red lipsticks. Which is your favorite?
I’d say Rock Steady, which has a deep berry tone. It’s so pretty.
What’s your off-duty beauty look?
I look pretty much the same. There are a few moments in my life where I haven’t had makeup on. I have a new song called “War Paint,” [because] for me, putting on makeup is my ritual, and I feel like it really matches whatever mood I’m in.
You changeup your hair all the time. What look did you love most?
When [No Doubt bandmate]Tony Kanal broke up with me [in the 1990s] and I bleached my hair. I was always obsessed with anything old- fashioned, so when I went platinum and was able to do a 1950s style set, I had the look that I’d fantasized about for so long.
Do your sons know the difference between glammed-up mom and makeup-free mom?
They do, and they like both versions of me. But if I do get made up and I see them, they’ll belike,“You look pretty!”
What makes you happy?
Other than eating pizza and burritos? Music probably makes me the happiest.
Speaking of music, your single “Used to Love You” is so emotional. Can we expect some happy songs from you now?
Yeah! I am in a place right now where the music is quite joyful. But the record really documents the journey that I have been on. I hadn’t been able to write before last August—there were no ideas. Then I guess by going through such a tragedy last year [Stefani and Gavin Rossdale announced their split in August after 13 years of marriage], something good came out of that, and I was able to write again and be confident in my gift. It’s been therapeutic and fun to be able to share the song.
Will any of your upcoming songs be about that tall cowboy in your life?
I tweeted that could be one about him—or maybe a lot. We’ll see!
She doesn’t aIways wear red lipstick!
“During the last season of The Voice, I got inspired by ’60s makeup, so that’s a lot of eye makeup and less lip,” says Stefani, 46. “Red lipstick makes me look glamorous, but I go through phases with my makeup. We all do.”