Nicki Minjai does a no makeup Spread of ELLE Magazine

It’s been the year of revamping for Nicki Minaj, who recently decided to tone down her look while swapping out her wig-maker Terrence Davidson for veteran hairstylist Oscar James. Now she’s taking the ‘new Nicki’ to magazine covers.

As the cover girl of next month’s Elle Magazine, she’s giving Storm from X-Men tease in a black Tom Ford fit and bleach blonde messy hair.  Inside, she dishes to Elle that she felt so vulnerable in front of the cameras once she ditched the bold colors, patterned leggings and crazy wigs, lashes and make up. She also talked about being bullied as a child and her plans to take over the world, while continuing to remind the ladies to treat themselves like a boss.

On her toned-down look

When I saw myself with barely any makeup at, it was such a… like, I’m so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it’s hard. I feel that it’s become a part of me. To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol’ crazy lashes— you know, nothing— I felt naked. It was scary! So this photoshoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes.

On being bullied during her childhood

I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough. So I’ve always put up this wall— it was a self-defense mechanism growing up— because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have it. It’s sad.

Her Advice to the Ladies to Gain Respect

My advice to women in general: Even if you’re doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want— and don’t allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge. You want everyone to know, Okay, I can’t play games with her. I have to do right by this woman. That’s what it’s all about.

On Her Plans For world Domination

My goal in the beginning was to buy my mother a house. Now I realize, Okay, if I really focus and become a key player in business, then I can build an empire. I’m thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college. So world domination— in terms of providing for my family— is absolutely my goal.