Nicki Minaj gets a makeunder from 'Elle'

Off with the bubble gum pink lip gloss, sci-fi lashes and cotton candy wig – it’s Nicki Minaj, 30, stripped down to a mere bit of foundation, nude lipstick and tiny touch of eyeliner in "Elle” magazine where Minaj appears on the cover of the April issue wearing a black leather jacket and a major makeunder.

You may have noticed that the "American Idol" judge has been appearing a bit more subdued of late in the hair and makeup department (she reportedly fired her entire styling team recently), and even her clothes have been less cartoony (no sign of those majorette ensembles). Perhaps this shoot was inspirational.

“To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big o’ crazy lashes – you know, nothing – I felt naked,” said Minaj about the shoot. “It was scary,” the "Super Bass" singer admitted to the magazine.

The issue hits the newsstands March 26. What do you think of the look? Tell us in the poll below.

Photo credit: Elle magazine