The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, has been voted the ultimate UK beauty icon. Known for her flawless make-up and glossy, cascading curls, it's no wonder the beautiful royal topped the study by QVC. Kate fought off tough competition from singer Cheryl Cole and model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne to win with 61 per cent of the vote.
Kate Middleton has been named the UK's ultimate beauty icon
The study revealed that women favour a more natural look, rating a clear complexion (54 per cent) over bronzed skin (32 per cent) and preferring nude lips (20 per cent) to a bold red pout (16 per cent). However, the research also highlights the role that cosmetics play in boosting women's confidence levels. Almost half of the women surveyed admitted that they rarely leave the house without a lick of mascara or a touch of lipstick, and over two thirds of women admit that they only feel comfortable in their own skin once they have applied their make-up.
Cheryl Cole and Cara Delevingne came in second and third place, respectively
Furthermore, 68 per cent of women agreed that perfectly styled hair and flawless skin were the key ingredients to helping them feel beautiful. The average getting ready process consists of 24 minutes of hair styling, 19 minutes of self-tanning and 18 minutes of make-up application, with a third of women spending up to two hours to achieve beauty perfection. "This research shows how important make-up is to us Brits," commented Beauty Buying Director Jo Lee. "Not only does it help us to feel more comfortable in our own skin, but it's a real confidence booster. Perfectly prepped hair and a clear complexion can really go a long way! QVC's dedicated beauty month provides the latest beauty trends, plus advice on how to use the beauty industry's newest innovations."
Top UK beauty icons1. Kate Middleton (61%)2. Cheryl Cole (39%)3. Michelle Keegan (23%)4. Abbey Clancy (16%)5. Lily Cole (16%)6. Emma Watson (15%)7. Rita Ora (11%)8. Victoria Beckham (8%)9. Cara Delevingne (6%)10. Sam Faiers (6%)