We’ve always loved Gwen Stefani‘s immaculate makeup: the signature bright red lips, those luscious long lashes. So it’s no surprise to hear that the singing star learned the tricks of the trade at a young age. “I started in seventh grade,” Stefani shares in the latest issue of ELLE. “We had home economics, and they’d bring someone in to show you how to put your makeup on.” And her studies in cosmetology continued through college, where she majored in art. “I can draw and paint. That’s my background,” she explains. When touring solo, or with her No Doubt bandmates, the L’Oreal Paris spokesmodel does all her own stage makeup. “I learn from makeup people now, but in the past I had a real problem with makeup artists,” Stefani admits. “I remember my first experience with a makeup artist was doing the first No Doubt album, the one that was shelved. Go back and look at how ugly I look. It is the worst makeup … From that time on, I’m thinking, I’m not going to let someone do my makeup, because they don’t know how to do it.” She’s happy to let hair stylists work their magic, though. “For the last couple tours I’ve had hair people, which is the luxury of my life,” she says. “I’m like, ‘Why did I do it myself this whole time?’” And in an industry where looks mean everything, Stefani isn’t ashamed to admit she cares about her ultra-glam outward appearance. “I mean, I’m very vain. That would be my middle name,” she says. “Of course I am, you know what I mean? I love the visual.” For more on Stefani and other women in music, visit ELLE.com or pick up the May issue of ELLE, on newsstands April 12.

Gwen Stefani is looking lovely, lounging around in the cover of ELLE UK’s April issue. For the cover shoot, the L.A.M.B. fashionista dons a sheer brown shirt (or possibly the world’s shortest dress) and wears her tousled blonde locks pulled off of her flawless L’Oreal spokesmodel-worthy face. Jump below for more of waxy pop star and tell us what you think of her cover.

Gwen Stefani continues to be the hottest 41-year old rocker mom in history. The Paul McCartney fan dons her iconic red lipstick while appearing in her debut commercial as a new L’Oreal spokes-pop-star. She looks flawless, and if we have but one complaint, it’s the fact that L’Oreal chose “Hollaback Girl”, a six-year old song, to play under the ad. What we’re saying is — Gwen, release new music already! Either with No Doubt or as a solo artist. (Preferably with No Doubt, but we’re not choosy.)

It was a big day in LA for some celebs and their kids: Yo Gabba Gabba Live! came to town. Gwen Stefani and her boys were front and center for the live show (based on the Nick Jr. program), as were Jessica Alba and her daughter Honor, and Nicole Richie and Joel Madden even got to get up on stage for the action!

Nicole Richie and Sparrow at Yo Gabba Gabba Live! (Getty)We're pretty sure Nicole and Joel's kids Sparrow and Harlow now know, without a doubt, that they have the coolest parents around! The couple sang and danced with DJ Lance and the crew during the show, and it was hard to say if the kids or parents were having the better time.

Gwen Stefani and little Kingston and Zuma got to hug it out with some of the characters after the show was over, and they definitely had a blast. Jessica and her daughter pointed and laughed from the audience and then danced all day.

Jessica tweeted after the show: "#YoGabbaGabba was so fun. We got our silly's out and did the dancy-dance! My "cool" days are over -wait a min... they never started"

Gwen Stefani (Getty Images)Singer Gwen Stefani is the latest celebrity to be honored with her own waxwork figure after the legendary Madame Tussauds museum was inundated with requests for a model of Gwen to be made.

Madame Tussauds' General Manager Rosita Chapman said: “We are very excited to have Gwen Stefani’s figure added to our attraction! She’s consistently rated high on our request list, so we are very pleased to bring her figure to all her loyal fans."

The 40-year-old singer smiled for the cameras as she posed alongside her waxwork double at the launch of the figure yesterday in Las Vegas.

It $300,000 to produce the lifelike figurine, and experts reportedly spent six months perfecting the No Doubt singer's appearance from 250 measurements and photographs.

Las Vegas Weekly's Robin Leach reports: "The new Gwen Stefani figure took 350 hours to sculpt and 175 hours to mold. Each strand of hair, weighing 10 ounces in total, was inserted individually and then styled, taking some 140 hours over 5 weeks to complete. Other fun facts include 28 hours spent on her teeth and 14 hours spent on her eyes."

Gwen's new figure will join a galaxy of star statues including Snoop Dogg, US President Barack Obama, Michael Jackson and Madonna.

Gwen StefaniGwen Stefani's funky style is not all her own. Gwen has said that she finds inspiration for her clothing line, L.A.M.B, from rocker husband Gavin Rossdale. (She also occasionally nicks stuff from his closet). Gavin gives Gwen ideas for clothing desgns and influences her work through his personal style.

The musician-slash-designer has always been obsessed with fashion—even before she was famous. Gwen has been known to make her own clothes and stage costumes, particularly when No Doubt was just starting out. Gwen's new collection for L.A.M.B. is full of clothing that Gwen herself would want to wear. She says it's actually very selfish in that way. The collection will be full of modern '80s clothing interpetations in neutral shades with splashes of color.

Like Gwen, we've been known to snag a few things from our boyfriends too. Sorry boys, looks like your closets are about to be raided!

Gwen Stefani celebrated the big 4-0 on Saturday with an afternoon birthday bash at the exclusive Italian restaurant Cecconi's in West Hollywood.

The singer, whose actual birthday is Oct. 3, was joined by her hubby Gavin Rossdale, their two children – Kingston, 3, and Zuma, 13 months – and an intimate group of friends, including Kate Beckinsale and her husband Len Wiseman.

The celebration took place in the restaurant's romantic and private Butterfly Room, which features a $1 million heart shaped Damien Hirst painting and a crystal chandelier. "The Butterfly Room was specially decorated for Gwen's celebration with happy birthday balloons and roses," says a restaurant source.

The group enjoyed a family style lunch with several Italian appetizers, pasta dishes, salad, champagne and wine.

"Gwen looked amazing and so much younger than 40. She was in a great mood and seemed very excited to celebrate her birthday with her husband, children and friends," says the source. "Gwen and Kate seem very close and the girls shared a long chat and many laughs. Gavin and a nanny took care of the boys so Gwen could just relax and enjoy her celebration."

After a long Italian feast, Gwen was surprised with a big birthday cake decorated with candles and sparklers. "With her oldest son helping her to blow out the candles, Gwen made a wish and she looked very happy," the source adds.

Stefani's birthday celebration actually started the night before when she and Rossdale enjoyed a night out without their kids during a party at the Oceana Hotel in Santa Monica. "Gwen and Gavin spent a great night with friends and looked very happy together," says a hotel source. "When the clock struck midnight, Gwen and Gavin toasted to Gwen's big birthday."