(Photo: Allure, May 2011)

Nicki Minaj is a beauty and a beast who also happens to be May's new "Allure Face." So the pink-lipped rapper sat down with Allure's editor to dish on all things beautified.

Since Nicki’s hair is like a box of chocolates (you never know what you’re going to get), she took time to explain her chameleon-like ways. She admits to owning approximately a hundred wigs and says she chooses them according to her mood. “Right before I walk out the door, I grab one,” explaining that there are alter egos that match her array of looks.

When asked who her beauty icons were, Nicki recalls the impact that Cyndi Lauper’s style had on her as a kid. “Her style looked like a piece of art to me,” said Nicki.

For the scoop on Minaj's favorite beauty buys, just raid her purse and you’ll find her Pink Friday MAC lipstick, a Chanel lip balm, blotting sponges and Chloe perfume. Until her celebrity fragrance is released, Chloe is still her duty-free airport purchase.  

But like most stylistas know, beauty comes with some sacrifice. "I used to love getting my nails done; it was a time of relaxation," Nicki reveals, when asked about a beauty task she hates. “Now, I want to choke myself because I can't pause my life. In L.A. it takes like 18 hours for a freakin fill-in [for acrylics]. My phone goes off a billion times."