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Exclusive First Look at Nicki Minaj’s Dramatic Makeunder for ‘Elle’

03/14/2013 at 09:00 AM ET

Nicki Minaj Elle makeunderCourtesy ELLE

You may think you’ve seen Nicki Minaj in every possible look under the sun — but we bet you’ve never seen her like this before.

In the April issue of Elle, the American Idol judge gets a major makeunder, appearing in little more than winged eyeliner and a nude pout.

“To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol’ crazy lashes — you know, nothing — I felt naked,” Minaj says of the shoot. “It was scary!”

Though she’s been spotted out in more subdued looks lately, she still found it tough to give up one thing in particular. “I’m so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it’s hard” to go without, she tells Elle.

Click to see another dramatic shot from Minaj’s Elle cover story, and read more about her experiences with bullying, her plans for world domination and her tips for women on how to “treat yourself like a boss” at Elle‘s website and in the April issue, on stands March 26.

Nicki Minaj Elle makeunderCourtesy ELLE

Tell us: What do you think of a made-under Minaj?

–Alex Apatoff

PHOTOS: VOTE ON STARS’ BEAUTY LOOKS FROM EVERY ANGLE HERE!

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Showing 158 comments

Mary on March 14th, 2013

Wow …….. She looks so much better without make-up, what is she thinking looking like a clown? Oh to match her personality? No really she looks so much better with her natural beauty!

Shannon on March 14th, 2013

She looks like a person and not a clown. I hope she sees this as a positive and keeps her look this way.

Carol on March 14th, 2013

I never paid any attention to Nickki Manaj before she was a judge on American Idol. Now I can truly say that she is one of the reasons I watch AI. She is honest and entertaining. Her make up is all part of her shtick. But I will agree that in this picture she is naturally beautiful. Who would have known?

Davido on March 14th, 2013

A horrible American Idol Judge. More commentary about what the contestants are wearing rather than the quality of singing. Typical from someone who doesn’t know the first thing about singing anyway.

Terry on March 14th, 2013

Are you people blind? She’s still wearing a lot of makeup…just muted, natural tones. It looks better, but don’t delude yourself..she’s not out there without makeup.

Jane on March 14th, 2013

So much prettier!!

sarah on March 14th, 2013

Well, she is wearing pounds of makeup still. She is also wearing a little thing we like to call “photoshop” ? Not sure what they mean by natural. Contacts, concealer, color corrector, foundation, hd powder, bronzer, blush, highlighter, contouring, mascara, eye liner, 3 different color eye shadows, lip liner, and lipstick… are not exactly what most would call “natural”.

Terrence on March 14th, 2013

This is hilarious! More natural look???? LOL. You look good for sure. But if you really want to go natural take the blond hair out lets see your real hair. Plus take out all the implants from your butt and breasts. Then you will be natural. But just getting rid of that bad colored hair, outrageous makeup, and over the top clothes is just a start.

Sue on March 14th, 2013

Nicki Minaj looks 200% better w/omakeup but I still cannot stand her.

Elizabeth on March 14th, 2013

She looks great. I know she loves her garish looks and that’s her thing. But now we see a different side of her and she’s actually a lovely girl, naturally.

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