Ever felt reluctant to show your legs in public?

From summer picnics to Christmas parties, the thought of baring all can send a shiver down the bravest of women – white, mottled pins are never a good look, no matter what the season. But fear not – there is a quick and easy way to get your legs back into tip-top condition, no matter how pressed for time you are.

Follow our four-step guide and get year-round perfect pins:

Hair removal - pros and cons

You need sexy, smooth legs and fast! There are three main ways to get them – shaving, wax or hair removal cream.

Shaving

Shaving is the quickest way to get rid of unwanted hair, however the effect doesn’t last long, with coarse regrowth appearing within a day or two

For the best results: 

• Invest in a good razor, and make sure you change blades frequently – a blunt edge is likely to do more harm than good and could result in unsightly nicks and rashes.
• Never use soap, which will just dry your skin out. Shaving foams or lotions will moisturise as you go, or you could try using hair conditioner which acts as a lubricant and can help avoid nicks. 
• Always moisturise after shaving to replenish your skin - try the Endless Moisture body care range from beauty staple E45, which counts celebrities Keira Knightley and Emma Bunton among its fans.

Waxing

Once the domain of the beauty clinic, waxing is now easy to perform at home thanks to a range of new kits on the market. It’s a fast and efficient way to keep legs smoother for longer, if you can stand a little pain!  But - it hurts! Watch out for burns, and red, blotchy skin, and:

• Make sure that hair is long enough for strips to adhere properly (about 5mm should do it) 
• Be careful to let the wax cool properly before you start – third degree burns are not a good look. Veet Ready To Use Wax Strips come in three varieties to suit a range of skin, and retail at around £3.99.

Hair removal cream

Cream is simple and straightforward, but it's messy, hair grows back quickly, and some creams can cause problems for sensitive skin.

• For a simple way to silky smooth skin, opt for hair removal cream, which dissolves your hair just below the surface of the skin.
• Simply rub on, leave for 5-10 minutes, then wash off in the shower. 
•  Always read instructions carefully and take care not to leave products on any longer than advised to avoid irritation. Try using Nair Sensitive Hair Removal Cream, £4.99 from Boots.

Home tanning tips

A touch of colour is a quick-cheat way to add a healthy glow, even if sleepless nights and hectic days leave you feeling tired and grey. There is a wide range of products on the market to help achieve that sun-kissed look without the UV damage. But don’t forget:

• Exfoliate thoroughly before you start to avoid messy patches 
• Make sure you rub extra moisturiser onto those awkward areas of hard skin around the ankles and knees. 
• Wash your hands afterwards to avoid orange palms. 
• Always use self-tanning products well in advance of going out so you have time to touch up any spots you missed or rectify any little problem areas. 
• If you’re really worried about streaks, try Johnson’s Holiday skin body lotion, which builds up a gentle glow over a few days (£4.95).

The 10 minute pedicure

No matter how bronzed and elegant your legs are, if you’ve neglected your toes it can scupper the overall effect. Follow these simple rules for a quick pedicure that will leave you feeling and looking like a million dollars.

• Add a few drops of a relaxing camomile foot soak to a basin of warm water. 
• Immerse your feet for five minutes to let any hard skin soften, then dry and file to remove excess skin. 
• Next, rub in some foot lotion – peppermint is great for perking up tired feet. 
• Then add some colour - choose a nail varnish to complement your outfit or match your fingernails. Apply two coats then add a further coat for extra shine and durability.

Sexy legs

Once they look lovely, your legs and feet need to get dressed up too.

• A great pair of heels will give your posture a helping hand, lengthen those legs and draw attention to all the right places.
• Find a skirt length that flatters your leg – just make sure it doesn’t cut you off at the widest points (mid-calf and mid-thigh) if you want to appear slimmer.
• Sometimes you’ll need to dress your legs, so invest in some flattering tights. Wear vertical stripes to elongate your legs or black opaques for a slimline look. Or liven things up with prints and patterns, fishnets, or micronets, flattering for almost every leg shape.
• When the sun comes out, ankle bracelets are a great way to show off your lovely new pins, but make sure they’re not too wide to avoid the chunky look.