MORE than one in four women admit the biggest pressure to be 'beautiful'
comes from themselves, according to a new study.
And only one in eight (13 per cent) have the confidence to call themselves
'attractive'.
Natural beauties
Holly
Willoughby and
Kate Winslet
were in the top three of women's most 'inspirational beauties', beaten only by
the nation's sweetheart
Kate
Middleton in the Dove Body Confidence Census 2012.
And the survey of 1,000 women, conducted by Dove Skincare, found more than
three-quarters (78 per cent) rated 'real women' as the image they'd most like to
see in beauty advertising, over celebrities and teenage girls.
However, one-in-four women were unable to remember when they last received a
compliment that made them feel beautiful.
The poll found 27 per cent of women admit the biggest pressure to be
beautiful actually comes from themselves. As a result, just one in eight women
(13 per cent) have the confidence to call themselves 'attractive'.
Society (19 per cent) and the media (13 per cent) were next on the list of
top beauty pressures, but just five per cent of women feel pressure from
friends, family and partners.
The research also revealed that the secret to UK women feeling confident was
a clear combination of relationships and looking good. Being loved (72 per cent)
was the biggest confidence booster for women, followed by having a strong
relationship or marriage (53 per cent), liking how you look in the mirror (35
per cent), being in good physical shape (33 per cent), and taking good care of
yourself (31 per cent).
Although 'being loved' rated highest as the biggest influence on confidence,
looks are still playing a key role in boosting self-esteem. The vast majority of
women (82 per cent) agree they feel their best inside and out when they care
about the way they look.
The art of paying compliments also rated highly in helping women feel
beautiful, with 50 per cent agreeing they feel more confident when they are
complimented - second only to being in a happy relationship. However,
one-in-four women were unable to remember when they last received a compliment
that made them feel beautiful.
The research also revealed different attitudes to confidence across varying
age groups. As women get older, the amount of compliments they give per day
reduces significantly.
One in five 18 to 24-year-old old women (20 per cent)tell their female
friends they look beautiful on a daily basis, but just fone in 25 of 55 to
64-year-olds (four per cent) do the same. Both those age groups had the lowest
beauty confidence while those in the 25 to 29-year-old age bracket feel the most
assured about their looks.
Dove claims to be a worldwide pioneer in raising women's self-esteem and
supporting real beauty, and is launching a new nationwide billboard campaign
this month. Supporting the Dove Skincare range, it introduces 'Alexis', a
British-born Real Woman scouted for her positivity and body confidence.
Ali Fisher, Dove's marketing manager, said: "Eight years on from the launch
of Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, it's clear there is still a need for women
like Alexis to help boost self-esteem around the country.
"Dove's Body Confidence Census proves it is as important as ever for women to
know they are beautiful inside and out. We hope our new Dove skincare campaign
will remind women everywhere to celebrate their own natural beauty and be happy
in their own skin."
Alexis Foreman, who features in the new Dove skincare campaign, said: "I hope
women see me on the billboards and feel empowered.
"I still can't believe it's actually me up there. Being part of the campaign
is something my family is genuinely proud of, and I can't tell you what it's
done for my confidence."
Read more:
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/beauty/just-one-in-eight-women-consider-themselves-attractive-poll-finds-3088704.html#ixzz1srF6Jw4D