Superdrug
Written: Wednesday, January 4, 2012Kate Middleton has been voted the top style icon of 2011 - beating sister Pippa into second place.
The pretty brunette, who became the Duchess of Cambridge when she married Prince William in April, pipped curvy Pippa to the title in a poll of 3,000 women.
Kate, 29, has been setting beauty trends throughout the year by sticking with her trademark tumbling brown curls and dark eye liner.
Younger sister Pippa, 28, shot to fame after images of her pert derriere were circulated worldwide in the days following her sister's nuptials.
Like Kate, she was hailed for her signature look of dark tan, glossy lips with fresh faced make-up.
Third place in the Superdrug poll went to last year's winner Cheryl Cole, who continues to impress with her looks and glamour despite having kept a low profile since her departure from American X Factor.
Sara Wolverson, Superdrug Director of beauty, who commissioned the research, said: "What is fascinating is the four of the five celebrity women to appear in the top five are brunettes, which would indicate that while blondes may have more fun, brunettes are seen to be more beautiful.
"Everyone in the list has a distinct look, whether it's natural beauty, full octane glamour or a love of beauty trend-hopping.
"While the majority of ladies in the list are natural beauties, we also see the TOWIE effect with Amy Childs appearing on the list for the first time with her Essex tan, hair extensions, and false nails."
The study also found Cheryl managed to nudge her replacement on the UK X Factor, judge Tulisa Contostavlos, down into sixth place.
Pop princess Rihanna and This Morning television presenter Holly Willoughby complete the top five beauty icons of 2011.
Seventh is mum to be Beyonce who appears on the list for the first time, while Harry Potter's Emma Watson appears at number eight on the list, and with her pixie haircut is the only woman in the top ten with short hair.
American singer, and Mrs Russell Brand, Katy Perry takes the number nine spot and is admired for her quirky style, while new mum and fashion icon Victoria Beckham completes the top ten.
New entries for 2011 include singers Lady Gaga at 12, Katherine Jenkins at 14 and Vogue cover girl Adele at 16.
While celebrities which appeared in last year's top 20 beauty icons, such as Kylie Minogue, Fearne Cotton, Leona Lewis, Michelle Obama and Gemma Arterton, have all been dropped from this year's list.
Sara Wolverson added: ''As always our Beauty Icons survey gives a snapshot of the changing face of British beauty.
''A key change for us is the continued rise of the brunette with three quarters the top twenty sporting brown hair.
''We can see directly who changing celebrity trends affect our sales from the Duchess effect on sales of black eye-liner, the craziest nail art and brightest cosmetics being a huge hit all year long which we call the Gaga effect and Rihanna and Cheryl Cole's flirtation with vibrant red hair which also saw sales rocket.''
TOP 20 BEAUTY ICONS OF 2011
- Kate Middleton
- Pippa Middleton
- Cheryl Cole
- Rihanna
- Holly Willoughby
- Tulisa Contostavlos
- Beyonce
- Emma Watson
- Katy Perry
- Victoria Beckham
- Kelly Rowland
- Lady GaGa
- Amy Childs
- Katherine Jenkins
- Nicole Sherzinger
- Adele
- Pixie Lott
- Angelina Jolie
- Keira Knightley
- Scarlett Johannson
