Hepburn was considered the 'personification' of natural beauty

The diminutive star of Breakfast at Tiffany's was chosen by beauty and fashion editors, make-up artists, model agencies and photographers.

They had to choose their top 10 beautiful women from a list of 100 compiled by water company Evian.

US film star Liv Tyler and Australian actress Cate Blanchett were voted second and third.

Tomb Raider star Angelina Jolie and the actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly completed the top five, while Princess Diana was placed 12th.

TOP 10 MOST NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN Audrey Hepburn Liv Tyler Cate Blanchett Angelina Jolie Grace Kelly Natalie Imbruglia Juliette Binoche Halle Berry Helena Christensen Elle MacPherson Source: Evian poll

The women were chosen for their "embodiment of natural beauty, healthy living, beautiful on the inside and out, with great skin and a natural glow to their personality, as well as their complexion", Evian said.

"Audrey Hepburn is the personification of natural beauty," said Elle beauty director Rosie Green.

"She has a rare charm and inner beauty that radiates when she smiles. Her skin looks fresh in all her films and her personality really shines through as someone warm and lively."

Hepburn was included in the top 10 by more than three-quarters of the beauty experts surveyed.

Aussie trio

Almost half of the icons placed in the number one spot by panel members were brunettes, a third blondes, and about a fifth redheads.

Australia scored a hat-trick in the top ten, with singer Natalie Imbruglia, Blanchett and model Elle MacPherson appearing.

"People who are confident without a scrap of make-up and look healthy, happy and glowing, seem like natural beauties to me," Eleonore Crompton, of Heat magazine.