By Jessica Hopper

Don't panic if your legs aren't up to scratch just yet, because we've got the essential step-by-step guide to pin perfection. Hair removal, toning, tanning, you name it; we've got it covered. Get ready to shorten those skirt lengths. Giselle, eat your heart out...

Step 1: No sin skin
For pins worthy of a pin-up, skin needs to be silky smooth. Be sure to invest in a good exfoliator to ensure all those unwelcome dead skin cells and dry patches are shifted. Not only will your legs look fab, but you'll give yourself the perfect flawless canvas to work some faux tan magic on and prevent unsightly in-growing hairs.

Choose an exfoliator with moisturising agents to help soothe the skin after a heavy bout of scrubbing. We love the Magnolia Body Scrub Skin Polish by uber-cool spa Bliss (£20, 0808 1004151 or www.blisslondon.co.uk). Scrubbing beads, flower extracts and palm milk all work into a rich lather to gently exfoliate and nourish the skin, leaving you fresh and fragrant all day long. If floral fragrances aren't your thing, try the deliciously fruity Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals Body Butter in Illipe Butter, Lemongrass & Brown Sugar (£15.50, 020 7361 0499 or www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk).

Step 2: Banish bumpy bits
A good body brushing will eliminate any unsightly leg-dandruff as well as helping tone any shaky bits and ridding problem areas of unwelcome orange peel! The Elemis Pure Natural Cactus Bristle Brush (£16, 01278 727 830 or www.elemis.com) should leave any troublesome thigh wobbles quivering with fear. Brush in a circular motion, working up from ankle to bum, before you shower to stimulate the elimination of fatty deposits. Similarly, the award-winning genius that is the Clarins Total Body Lift (£29.50) contains fab flab fighting ingredients that should firm, tighten and lift troublesome areas and visibly reduce the most stubborn of cellulite.

Remember, if you're in a hot and humid climate, it can make your legs and ankles appear puffy even if you're slimmer than Sienna, so keep Benefit's Jiggle Gel (£17.50, 0901 113 0001 or www.benefitcosmetics.com) handy in your handbag for anti-puffy pick-me-ups as and when you need them.

Step 3: Fuzz-free
Stubble is never 'designer' when it comes to legs, so keeping yours fuzz-free should be top of your pin priorities. If you're finding salon visits a rarity, it's relatively simple - and pain free - to keep your legs smooth yourself. Nads have a great range of hair solutions available, including removal creams, gels and bladeless kits, but I'd recommend investing in their Hair Removal Strips (£9.99 for 24, Boots), they're fast, effective and super-simple. Worried about spotting a few errant hairs whilst out? Carry a couple of strips in your handbag for glamour on the go.

If you regularly pay a visit to Helga the Hot Waxer for silky smooth pins, then you may want to try the new Babyliss Simply Smooth Wax (£40) - a waxing tool that delivers salon results in the comfort of your own home, with unique pre-prepared wax strips with a hand-held heating wand (so the perfect amount of wax is always used and always heated to exactly the correct temperature) - no mess, no fuss. Or if you're more a fan of epilating, then we can recommend Philips' new Satinelle Ice Premium (£65). This ultra gentle epilator has an integrated ice cooler and massager with aloe vera for a comforting and pain-free hair removal sesh.

If just reading about waxing has you wincing, get yourself a decent razor and ditch the disposables. The hot pink Wilkinson Sword Quattro for Women (£4.99) has an extra large conditioning strip enriched with Aloe Vera and vitamin E to leave your pins perfectly preened and ready to show off. Skin can be left feeling dry and scratchy if you plump for plain old soap and water. Johnson's Silky Skin Shower & Shave Creams (£2.29, Boots) are rich and ultra-moisturising - specially developed to cleanse and effortlessly shave in one, whereas Neal's Yard Remedies make a 100% natural Lavender & Vitamin E Shave Soap (£4.95, 01747 834 634) - specially formulated to prevent any soreness ruining those luscious limbs.

Step 4: Smooth talking
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! We can't stress the importance of this. You need to keep those limbs nourished every day, not just when you remember! Summer can leave skin dry and thirsty, so swap your oil-based moisturiser for a rich, hydrating cream and be sure to smother your skin within three minutes of your shower to help lock in vital moisture. We love Clinique Water Therapy Whipped Body Cream, (£20), the activated white birch water helps our skin to retain its natural moisture balance over time whilst deeply hydrating and nourishing any particularly parched patches.

Step 5: Faux by pro
Sunkissed legs look instantly longer and slimmer, so let yours sizzle with sexiness safely thanks to some self-tanning trickery. Don't forget step 1 - exfoliate! By getting rid of any dead skin cells that would otherwise fall off within a day or two and leave you patchy, your tan will last and look flawless for much, much longer.

Johnson's, Nivea, Garnier, L'Oréal and Lancome all do great self-tanning moisturisers that build up a gradual, subtle tan - perfect for fake-tan virgins, whilst Johnson's Holiday Skin Firming Lotion (£4.99) creates a natural sunkissed glow and tones wobbly bits - an ideal buy for leg use.

For those of you more confident with faking it, Sally Hansen Air Brush Sun (£8.95) is a great little spray tan for instant wow. Quick, easy and perfect for faking in a hurry, it dries instantly, develops to a natural-looking, gorgeously golden brown within an hour, and then continues to develop deeper all day.

Step 5: Keep your cool
Whether you're pounding the pavements on British soil or doing a spot of sightseeing in sunnier climes, it's highly likely this summer that legs will wind up hot, heavy and tired-out. Not a good look for city shorts or hotpants! Simmer down with Clarins' deliciously cooling Energizing Emulsion For Legs (£16), enriched with chamomile, mint and witch hazel to instantly relax and relieve partied-out pins.

Step 6: ...Strut!
Now get those luscious limbs out from hiding, slap on a shorter skirt and get ready to cause a stir.