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Allure's September cover shoot, at Pier 59 Studios West, was Spears's
first since filing for divorce from Kevin Federline in November 2006. Here,
makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen smooths a shimmery moisturizer on
Spears's back.
The singer took off her own long, honey blonde wig to reveal one inch of
ashy blonde hair. "She was more shocked [when the wig came off] than
anyone else," hairstylist Danilo said.
Allure Creative Director Paul Cavaco adjusts Spears's Dolce & Gabbana jeans.
"She felt very comfortable with Michael [Thompson] and Paul—both of them
had shot her several times before," Reiss-Andersen said.
"I wanted to capture the free spirit Britney, so I photographed her on the
floor and let her do what she wanted," Thompson said. The singer chose to
pose topless, opting to wear her own jewelry.
Contrary to reports of questionable behavior at other shoots, Spears was
easygoing at Allure's. "She was game," Reiss-Andersen said. "She was like,
'What do you want me to do?' We were done very quickly."
"She looked damn cute with short hair," Danilo said. "She should bleach it
out and just be the fierce new Britney."
Spears was animated on the set, talking about her sons with Reiss-Andersen
and manicurist Lisa Jachno. "The three of us have children, so it was one of the
subjects that was brought up in the 30-minute conversation," Reiss-Andersen said.
"She was into smoky eyes—every girl is," Reiss-Andersen said. "We made it
fresh as opposed to aggressively sexy—because she's young, and that's
important to show."
"Everyone thinks of you as not human," Spears said when she was 18 years old.
"I just want to be a normal girl.... I don't want to be a role model—except maybe
to my little sister."
"We got the pictures—she was really a gem that way—and she was out the
door," Danilo said.
As Spears left the studio, paparazzi were still gathered outside. "I went out
to wave good-bye," Reiss-Andersen said. "I wanted to see it with my own eyes,
and I've never seen anything like it—complete mayhem, a feeding frenzy."
All I can say: Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!