Small Talk

COSMETICS giant L'Oreal denies it lightened Beyonce's skin tone in an ad for a hair dye. "We highly value our relationship with Ms Knowles. It is categorically untrue that L'Oreal Paris altered Ms Knowles' features or skin tone," the Paris-based company said in a statement. The ad is in the September issues of Elle, Allure and Essence on US magazine stands. A representative for Beyonce said the singer would have no comment beyond L'Oreal's statement.