Natural beauties Holly Willoughby and Kate Winslet were in the top three of women’s most ‘inspirational beauties’, according to The Dove Body Confidence Census 2012. The gorgeous blondes were beaten only by the nation’s sweetheart, the Duchess of Cambridge.Recent research shows that one in four UK women (27%) admit the biggest pressure to be beautiful actually comes from themselves.According to the survey, digitally manipulated images were the least effective method of encouraging the purchase of a beauty product.
A new nationwide billboard campaign this month introduces ‘Alexis’, a British born 'real woman', scouted for her positivity and body confidence. The campaign comes as just 13% of women have the confidence to call themselves ‘attractive’. Society and the media are next on the list of top beauty pressures. 78% of those surveyed rate ‘real women’ as the image they’d most like to see in beauty advertising, over celebrities and teenage girls.
Research also revealed that the secret to UK women feeling confident was a clear combination of relationships and looking good.
In first place was 'being loved', then 'having a strong relationship or marriage', and thirdly 'liking how you look in the mirror'. Ali Fisher, Dove Marketing Manager, says that the census "proves it is as important as ever for women to know they are beautiful inside and out".