The 31-year-old actress, best known for playing strait-laced Charlotte York in the hit series, beat a galaxy of stars in the poll.

Three British beauties made it into the top 10, with Catherine Zeta-Jones in second place and two Kates - actresses Beckinsale and Winslet - making up the rest of the British contingent, in sixth and seventh place.

Halle Berry came third and newly-married Nicole Kidman fourth in the poll conducted for Eve magazine.

Charlize Theron, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Jennifer Aniston and new mother Angelina Jolie also make up the top ten.

The survey was carried out by 4,000 30-something women for the magazine.

Its editor Sara Cremer said: "Kristin's natural beauty combined with her on-screen presence make her a woman with style and substance.

"She exudes sex appeal without compromising her intelligence and independence.

"All the women in our top ten are in their 30s and 40s, proving women just get better with age."

The actress says her best beauty advice came from her mother who taught her "how to be comfortable with your natural beauty".