Let's be honest: even though we know the source of the magic behind Nicki Minaj's hair (and Beyoncé's hair, for that matter), it doesn't take away any of our excitement every time she steps out with a completely changed-up coif. Nicki was rocking rainbow strands before they were cool! We love her for her trendsetting, fearless approach to beauty as much as we love her music, so we're celebrating her 32nd birthday by reminiscing on some of her best looks. Read on to see her best (and most unpredictable) styles.
Nicki wore her hair in a blunt, glossy bob for the red carpet at the American Music Awards . . .
Nicki attended the Spring 2015 Alexander Wang show with her hair in a taut high ponytail with lots of volume.
At the MTV Video Music Awards, Nicki's long, glossy locks rivaled her deep neckline for attention.
At the BET Awards, Nicki was giving off Blue Lagoon vibes with her waist-grazing waves. One part of her eccentric beauty Nicki didn't give up? Her penchant for superlong nails.
Nicki started showing off her more . . . natural beauty look at the Billboard Music Awards. Her hair was dyed a jet-black hue, and her typical bright pink lipstick and over-the-top eye makeup were nowhere to be found.
Back in 2013, Nicki was spotted with long, straight hair, and her makeup focused on a smoky eye with a bright fuchsia lip color.
Nicki accessorized her bright hair and sparkly glitter shadow with some seriously cool nail art at the 2012 MTV VMAs.
Her piled-high hair was, surprisingly, the least outlandish part of Nicki's look at Carolina Herrera's runway show in September 2011.
A blunt, cropped bob had Nicki looking more toned down than usual at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards.
For the 2011 Bilboard Music Awards, Nicki stuck to a strawberries-and-cream palette, matching her lipstick to her soft pink waves.
People can't seem to get enough of Nicki's signature style: fluorescent shadow, heaving false lashes, and a pop of pink lipstick. The fringe looks pretty amazing too.
With her light blue nails; winged liner; and long, wavy hair, Nicki looked like a modern-day mermaid.
Her candy-colored lipstick matched her multicolored hair at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
Nicki, in nearly all-black hair, was almost unrecognizable at one of her first appearances in 2009.