Duff Love.( Hilary Duff)

Byline: --HANNAH MORRILL

Who? Hilary Duff. What? The May cover of allure , shot by Michael Thompson. When? February 15. Where? Lux Studio in New York City. Why? This month, the actress plays a pop star in the action comedy War, Inc . with John Cusack. (Her own albums have sold a total of 15 million copies worldwide.) Common Ground: Once word spread that the studio's coffee machine was broken, the crew made an urgent Starbucks run. Duff ordered a short double-shot latte before she'd even taken off her coat. She then nibbled on some fruit before graciously accepting her coffee and sitting down in the makeup chair. Looking Criminal: "Hilary resembles Faye Dunaway, and I wanted to explore that," said allure creative director Paul Cavaco, who was inspired by Bonnie and Clyde . "She loved the movie and was game." Among the props that created the illusion: a 1930 Buick and a wig trimmed for Duff by hairstylist Serge Normant. Early to Bed: Duff explained that she had fallen asleep on Valentine's Day, so to make up for it, she and her boyfriend, New York Islander Mike Comrie, had plans that night to try Milk & Honey--a cocktail lounge that Leslie Sloane Zelnik, Duff's publicist, hadn't heard of. "I can't believe I know about something you don't!" the actress joked. In the Buff: Manicurist Sheril Bailey offered to change the star's polish from nude to something racier, but Duff refused. "I love this color," she said. Her only request was a lint roller, which she ran over her wool coat before slipping on her Chanel sandals and stepping out to meet her boyfriend.

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