Sitting Pretty.(Julia Roberts' make up)

Byline: HANNAH MORRILL

Who? Julia Roberts. What? The March cover of allure , shot by Michael Thompson. When? November 20. Where? A private beach house in Malibu. Why? The actress stars as a corporate spy opposite Clive Owen in Duplicity . Buddy System: Roberts happily greeted hairstylist Serge Normant, whom she first met 15 years ago, and photographer Michael Thompson, to whom Normant introduced her soon after. "Being with a group of friends on a beautiful daythis is heaven!" she said. Hair Tactics: allure creative director Paul Cavaco and Normant discussed what they would do with Roberts's hair: Normant envisioned it down, loose, and flowy, while Cavaco favored a low, tight chignon. "I love creative differences," the actress said with a laugh. Ultimately, they decided to photograph her in both looks. The Children's Hour: Roberts's children, four-year-olds Finn and Hazel and one-and-a-half-year-old Henry, came by for a visit. "They were so excited about coming," she said. The children brought books and toys with them (one book even became a key prop in a photograph), and they sat with Roberts as her hair and makeup were done. Making Waves: After Thompson took his first shots of Roberts lying on the beach, the crew gathered around the monitor to reviewand failed to warn Roberts about a huge wave behind her. "I'm completely soaked," she said, laughing, but was happy to finish the shoot before changing. First Mate: Roberts's husband, Danny Moder, picked up his wife at the shoot, and the two made plans to meet with the team for dinner that night.

Hair How-to

"Julia has great natural texture in her hair, so I kept it wavy and ...