She is exalted for her virtually flawless attributes, her alluring figure and her unprecedented, animated character. But is any of it real?

Rapper Nicki Minaj is often regarded as the fakest individual to walk the earth. She personifies synthetic.

Since her rise to stardom, Minaj has completely transformed her appearance. She frequently sports artificial hair in bewildering styles, lengths and colors. She has had several plastic surgeries, including breast and butt implants. And she is no stranger to artificial nails and make-up, which are integral to her unnatural persona.

She even refers to herself as the “Harajuku Barbie,” conveying her “plastic” nature to the entire world.

The hip-hop goddess has inspired many men and women to search for ways to modify their looks. With Nicki Minaj as the advocate of the thriving, new faux lifestyle, people have used her as motivation to claw further into the artificial age with a fine-tooth, plastic comb.

Particularly, women have indulged in the new trend; and undoubtedly, their trademark item of the non-natural period has been weave. Many females have proudly journeyed to hair shops to obtain the sleek sensation.

Senior Busso Samb, who flaunts whopping 24-inch long braids, confides, “I got hair extensions to stay true to my African roots. It also enhances my appearance, and since I work at a hair shop, I was influenced by my environment.” Samb lives up to the phrase “long hair, don’t care.”

Fake nails have also skyrocketed in popularity. As artificially enhanced appearances have become more pertinent, ladies have traveled the extra mile to look beautiful from the tops of their heads to the tips of their fingers. Sophomore Alexis Turner is unabashedly among the nail salon patrons. She says, “My natural nails aren’t long, and since long nails are cute, I get fake ones.”

Of course, not everyone is a fan of the new movement. Sophomore Kevin Taylor expresses his contrasting opinion. “I like natural hair and nails. If you look good, I want you to look good because you look good, not because someone else looks good. Fake hair, fake nails, are you sure you weren’t made in China?” he quips.

With so many people getting more and more involved in the new fads, you have to question if there is something more to it. According to Social Worker Robin Thornton, there is. “Women, especially young women, want to imitate the things that are praised throughout the media. That is why they desire long hair because you normally do not see many women with short hair (in the media). Nevertheless, there are women who get additional hair for valid reasons. Some do it for (ease of) maintenance purposes. Ultimately though, I believe most females get the hair and acrylic nails for glamour and attention,” says Thornton.

And if Nicki Minaj is any indicator, it seems to be working.