What Makes a Woman 'Smart'?

New research from Clinique has revealed that when asked to define what makes a woman smart and successful, 62% of British females said she needs to be true to herself and more than one in five (22%) 25-34 year-olds believing she needs to be ambitious. Half of the respondents said that in order to achieve success a woman should be confident, with 40% saying she must be strong. 

More than half of the women surveyed (54%) said they believe independence is a trait that best represents the modern woman, followed closely by 51% who said juggling family and work.  In contrast to this, just over a quarter (27%) said the modern woman is best represented by her career.

Taking a look at women in the media, three in ten felt that both Kate Middleton and Helen Mirren best represented women, but interestingly only 1.5% felt that women are accurately portrayed in the media. What they really felt defined the modern woman was independence (54%) and being able to juggle a family and work (51%). Seven in ten women felt that the modern-day woman is under more pressure to do and have it all than they were a generation ago, and with more than four in ten believing that honesty (47%), intelligence, determination and commitment (41%) are the real keys to success, are we mistaken in thinking that a successful career is all that makes us 'smart'? 

Tonight, the Red Women of the Year Awards - which includes the Smart Woman award, in association with Clinique - will be acknowledging women who they believe to be smart and will be attended by a host of celebrities.

Available at Clinique counters nationwide now

For stockist details, telephone +44-(0)870-034-2566 or visit http://www.clinique.co.uk