Bare Essentials.(Kate Beckinsale, star of Snow Angels, photoshoot preparations for hair and makeup)

Byline: HANNAH MORRILL

Who? Kate Beckinsale. What? The March cover of allure , shot by Michael Thompson. When? November 28. Where? Pier 59 Studios in New York City. Why? The British actress stars in Snow Angels with Sam Rockwell, out this month. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Psychic Moment: Wearing tall boots and a swingy Stella McCartney coat, the actress greeted the crew, then listened as allure creative director Paul Cavaco explained his concept. "I wanted it to look as though Kate just walked into the studio and we photographed her, and I'd brought along easy clothesstriped shirts and shorts," he said. The actress started laughing and pulled open her coatshe was wearing a striped shirt and shorts. "We're thinking alike," she said. La Coiffure: Sebastien Richard admired Beckinsale's self-styled poufy updo. "Your hair is already done," he said to the actress. "I can fly back to Paris." He was just as impressed with the actress' language skills: "She speaks perfect French. Just like a Parisian." (Beckinsale studied French and Russian literature at Oxford before concentrating on her acting career.) Shed Some Light: Although the allure team had brought a rack of gowns, Beckinsale wore only heels, kneesocks, and dancer's briefs for the portraits. "How come I always end up with nothing on for you guys?" she asked. "All these clothes are just decoys." (Beckinsale wore a bikini at her last allure shoot, in July 2006.) Beckinsale texted her husband, director Len Wiseman, about her outfit. His response? "Sounds great!" Beautiful View: As Beckinsale posed, ...