L’Oreal have denied reports that they digitally altered pictures of Beyonce Knowles on an advertising campaign to make her skin look lighter.

The L’Oreal Paris hair colour advert appears in the September issue of U.S. Elle, the 26-year old’s ghost-like appearance shocked fans, prompting complaints and an investigation by Elle's publisher.

But L'Oreal executives insists the controversy has nothing to do with them.

In a statement, a company spokesman says: "We highly value our relationship with Ms. Knowles. It is categorically untrue that L'Oreal Paris altered Ms. Knowles' features or skin tone in the campaign."

Must’ve just been some bright studio lighting then.