She once stated her beauty mantra as: “Color, color, color. When in doubt, add color. Then, add some more.” As a star who is fearlessly larger-than-life both musically and sartorially, this is not only the perfect summary of Nicki Minaj’s famously surreal wigs and unabashed love of out-there style, but her bedazzled rise to fame as a whole.
Between the award shows, platinum albums, and multiple alter egos, (Roman, Rosa, and the English-accented Martha, to name a few) the cover star has forged a public image that’s instantly recognizable worldwide. As her ever-evolving look continues to shock and inspire us, we’ve rounded up the best beauty moments from her technicolor career. Click through for a visual tour of her greatest hits, and tell us which look you love the most.
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We’ve rounded up the singer’s best hair and makeup highlights from her colorful career.
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BET’s Rip The Runway event, February 2010
Even early on, Nicki was a fan of high-impact beauty. Here’s she’s wearing heavy bangs, statement eyeliner, and—her favorite—pink lipstick.
Photo: PR Photos
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The MTV Video Music Awards, September 2010
In addition to her tie-dyed, fluorescent pink hair, we love Nicki’s turquoise cat eye. The bold, winged liner looks beautiful paired with shimmery shadow on her lower lash line.
Photo: Getty Images
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M.A.C. Pink Friday Lipstick launch, November 2010
This candy-colored, striped ‘do perfectly compliments her signature shade of bright, baby pink lip color.
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The American Music Awards, November 2011
We’re not sure if Oscar de la Renta envisioned cotton candy ringlets when he sent Nicki’s green and black dress down his Spring runway, but the singer truly made this look her own with a cropped coif and toned-down (by Nicki’s standards, anyway) makeup.
Photo: WENN
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<i>Good Morning America</i> performance, August 2011
Here, Nicki does the ’80s her way with peroxide-blonde curls, plenty of blue eyeshadow, and yes—those bubblegum lips.
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<i>American Idol</i>, September 2012
True to form, Nicki made quite the splash on American Idol, thanks to her unique judging style and can’t-miss beauty looks.
Photo: Getty Images
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The MTV Video Music Awards, September 2012
This is proof that “more is more”… in Nicki’s world, at least. She’s paired highlighter-yellow locks with disco ball lids for an unforgettably lavish look.
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Photo: Getty Images
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Versace for H&M launch, November 2011
Blonde bangs, mounds of green curls, and a bejeweled palm leaf headpiece: Here, it’s all about the hair. Her tropical inspiration was a natural fit for the fast fashion brand’s white-hot designer collaboration.
Photo: Getty Images
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<i>American Idol</i>, January 2013
Don’t let those long, platinum blonde locks fool you—Nicki’s still sporting her show-stopping style with intense eyes and lips that play off of her color-blocked dress.
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Photo: Getty Images
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The Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala, May 2013
With black, winged liner and a scarlet pout, Nicki’s nod to Old Hollywood is gorgeous and—dare we say?—classic. Leave it to this style chameleon to shock us with a look that’s all about understated glamour.
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