The evolution of Nicki Minaj

At first it seemed like a phase, but we think Nicki Minaj has kicked her Barbie fashions to the curb for good.

The rainbow-bright wigs, the bubble-gum pink lipstick and Technicolor leggings have all been replaced with a wardrobe suitable for a grown woman in her 30s. The new Nicki Minaj prefers her own natural tresses, a subdued color palette, and makeup finish that is au naturel.

On Sunday, we watched the rapper sashay in all her womanly glory in a figure-flattering black gown by Alexander McQueen at the MTV Movie Awards. In honor of her new affinity for looking, well, pretty darn normal, let’s have a look at her most eye-popping red carpet fashion choices.

The Old Nicki: Oh So Wrong!

It was fright night at the 2010 BET Music Awards as Nicki Minaj took the stage and a scary platinum wig and a bedazzled white strait jacket. So glad those days are behind her.

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She then accepted her award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist in an orange wig and teal eye makeup, because those two things go together, obviously.

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At the Ed Sullivan Theater for an appearance on “The Late Show” in 2010, Nicki’s outfit was clearly inspired by a pack of highlighters.

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Ouch! At the 2010 American Music Awards she hit the red carpet in a pastel pink dress covered in gold wire.

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Spidery false lashes? Check. Tie-dye blond wig? Check. Baby-blue glitter eyeliner? You bet. The old Nicki was in full force at an album signing at a record store in 2010.

The New Nicki: Right On!

Nicki Minaj turned heads in a black gown by Alexander McQueen at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday. Aiming for a glamorous goddess look, she further drove the message home with an arm of gold jewelry. Her dark-winged eyeliner added the necessary punch of sassiness.

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She fit right in with her “The Other Woman” castmates, Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton, onstage presenting an award at the show.

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For an upcoming new music video, Nicki tapped into her inner bad girl with the assistance of good friend and designer Jeremy Scott. The rapper was one of the first to wear the designer’s fall 2014 Moschino collection, fresh off the runway. How’s that for fashion-forward?

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When she isn’t killing it on the red carpet, Nicki’s showing off her natural beauty in a slew of selfies posted to her Instagram account. She looks super subtle here.

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The goal during New York Fashion Week is obviously to step out looking your best. Nicki nailed it in a black-and-white dress by Hervé Léger. Her ladylike look gets an edge with a leather harness and fur add-ons.

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During the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, the audience seemed to sound a collective “aww” when Nicki walked the stage in a classy red gown.