Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.
Music icon Gwen Stefani has released a new beauty line called GXVE Beauty (pronounced ‘Give’).
Despite the proliferation of celebrity cosmetic brands, this one intrigued me. For one, Gwen Stefani’s signature cat-eye and red lip look are iconic. I can’t tell you how many tubes of red lipstick I’ve bought over the years looking for that perfect Stefani shade of red.
In an interview with Forbes, Stefani explained that GXVE has been three years in the making, and was built upon her experience creating her own bold makeup looks for years as the frontwoman of No Doubt and a high school job spent working a makeup counter in a local mall.
“Everyone should have the ability to enjoy bold, clean makeup and feel great about themselves. That’s what I hope GXVE is for everyone,” she said.
So, of course I had to try out a handful of products for myself. Below, my post-try-on thoughts.
The Eyebrow Pencil of my Dreams
Since I have brown-blonde hair and naturally gray-brown eyebrows, I've spent years struggling to find an eyebrow pencil that works for me. Some are too dark, some are too red. But GVXE’s Most Def Instant Definition Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil ($24) in ‘Neutral Blonde’ did the trick for me.
The pencil comes in six other hues (cool taupe, warm light brown, neutral medium brown, warm medium brown, neutral black-brown, and cool black), making it easy to find the perfect shade to compliment your natural coloring. In case you can't find the perfect color right away, layering the strokes can help find a good compromise between two shades. I ended up using gentle pressure to make sure it didn't look too thick and dark.
Eyebrow Goals, Part Two
Feathery eyebrows are on trend right now, and the Hella On Point Ultra-fine Eyebrow Pencil ($24) delivers just that. It has the same color selection as the Most Def Eyebrow Pencil, so I went with the Neutral Blonde shade to draw in some hair strokes at the beginning and end of my eyebrows. Each stroke blended naturally into my brows.
This eyebrow pencil features a thin micro tip that helps you achieve the coveted feathered, microbladed look with ease. It’s great for filling in sparse eyebrow spots and works double duty as a subtle liner if you’re going for smoky eyes. For something that’s so easy to apply, it can keep your eyebrows looking great for half a day thanks to its transfer-proof and sweat-proof formula.
A Killer Eyeliner to Match
I gave the Line-it-up Waterproof Gel Liner ($21) in Spiderwebs (Black) a go because it’s a staple for the Gwen Stefani look, and it hit the mark. If you want to glam it up even more, this gel liner also comes in Bathwater (a metallic cobalt blue).
It’s a very dark creamy gel liner that goes on smoothly and lasts a long time. The texture is very forgiving and can easily be smeared out for a smoky eye look. I was a bit unsure if it could create a good winged liner effect, but was pleasantly surprised that once you let it set, it stays in place and doesn't smudge or transfer (a must for gals like me with hooded eyelids). I used a stencil to keep my lines super crisp.
The Red Lipstick Everyone Needs
No Gwen Stefani look is complete without the classic red lipstick, so I tried the brand’s staple item: Original Me High-Performance Matte Lipstick in True Red ($26.) The color appears pinkish on first application, but with a bit of layering, it turns to a deeper, richer red.
This bold matte lipstick is just right for an evening out. Not too loud, but not too subdued either. Its staying power is impressive. Even after wearing it for four hours, I noticed no fading. The only thing is that it’s a little hard to stay within the lines when using such a bright, pigmented color. Next time, I’ll use a lip liner to outline my lips first.
Big picture: this makeup line is one I am very excited about, and I’ve consistently been using the products day after day. I’m hooked.
Five more reasons to love GXVE:
1. Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products. With proof – the cosmetic company is Leaping Bunny-certified.
2. Sustainable packaging. Primary containers are made of 30% or higher post-consumer recycled glass or plastic. In addition, all products come in 100% recyclable boxes.
3. Refillable products. Products such as Original Me Lipstick and Hella On Point are some makeup products that come with reusable containers, but GXVE is looking to scale the number of refillable products in 2023. Points for sustainability (not a lot of cosmetic brands do this).
4. Clinically proven to be non-irritating. GXVE’s beauty products are aimed at all skin types–all of which were clinically tested. They also whittled the fragrance percentage down to less than 1%. No parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances, either.
5. Affordable prices. With an estimated price range of $20 to $40, these makeup products are fantastic value for money.
