Nicki Minaj just made the case for barbiecore beauty at the VMAs

Is it just us, or was Barbiecore a trend implemented by the Barbs (aka Nicki Minaj's most loyal and hardcore fan base) so we could all channel the queen herself? Although Barbie existed long before Nicki Minaj first graced us with that Itty Bitty Piggy freestyle (if you know, you know) it would be doing a disservice to the Queen to say she didn't make the trend as current as it is today. Seriously, there are rumours that Nicki actually invented the colour pink. We cannot confirm or deny such allegations.

At the 2022 MTV VMAs Nicki Minaj was handed the most prestigious award of the night – the ‘Video Vanguard Award’ – and in return, she graced the VMAs stage with a performance of dreams, featuring some of the biggest hits of her entire career from ‘Anaconda’ to ‘Moment For Life’. And much like super-fan Taylor Swift, we also rapped along to Super Bass without missing a beat. 

But it was difficult to concentrate during her acceptance speech – in which she raised the importance of looking after our mental health, and thanked the people that helped her throughout her career – because we were too fixated on the beauty lewk she was serving us. Nicki embodied her best ‘pink is my personality trait’ like no one, wearing the Barbie colour head to toe. Literally. 

The bubblegum pink, wavy, waist-length XXL wig, styled into a slick half-up-half-down ponytail, was giving Black Barbie. The beat was complete with a berry-hued cut crease, while on the lips, she featured a plum graduating to a pink glossy finish. As for the nails, it was giving Pink Friday era energy, stilleto style pointy tips with gem and jewels stones and levels of pink tiger prints. It was bubblegum pink galore. 

After the lewks that were served by Nicki Minaj plus the performance, it's fair to say that the barbs were obviously the clear winners of the night. Congratulations, y'all won.

For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona

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