Kate Middleton has been voted the biggest beauty icon of 2013. The Duchess of Cambridge beat Holly Willoughby and Beyoncé to claim the title for the third year running.

Despite this year becoming a mum to Prince George, the Duchess has managed to retain her simple but stylish appearance which is based on glossy hair and faultless, low key fashion sense.

TV personality Holly Willoughby came second after wowing fans of This Morning, Celebrity Juice and The Voice with outfits which accentuate her curves.

U.S based singer Beyoncé was third, according to the poll, which asked the views of 2000 British women.

Cheryl Cole and this year’s Strictly Come Dancing star Abbie Clancy complete the top five.

“Kate Middleton has secured her place in the nation’s hearts, and has cemented her position as a Beauty Icon,” Simon Comins of Superdrug, which conducted the annual Beauty Icons study of 2013, said.

“The Duchess is always immaculately presented, but is styled in a way the average person can relate to, and take inspiration from.”

The study placed Hollywood humanitarian icon Angelina Jolie as the sixth biggest beauty icon of the year.

X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in seventh place, closely followed by Adele, who leapt from 14th to eighth place despite staying out of the limelight for the majority of the year.

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham came in ninth place, while Cara Delevigne, perhaps now more famous for her party girl antics than modelling career, completed the top 10.

Helen Mirren flies the flag for the slightly older lady as the 68-year-old was voted into 11th place in the poll.

Other more mature ladies to appear in the poll include Dame Judi Dench in at number 32 and Sharon Osbourne in 48th place.

Model Amy Willerton is a new entry in the top 50 beauty icons, at number 39 following her appearance on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!

Celebrities Michelle Keegan, Alexa Chung, Alesha Dixon and Rhianna all appear in the top 20.

The study also found just under half of all women polled are envious of the way celebrities look, and one quarter look to their favourites for inspiration on what to wear and how to look.

42 percent said seeing celebrities look amazing makes them take better care of their own appearance, while 18 percent directly compare themselves to famous people.

Source: lifestyle.iafrica.com