What do you envy most when it comes to other women’s looks? A gravity-defying bosom; white, impossibly even teeth; a pert bottom? For me, it’s the legs that have it. Nothing causes me to go green quicker than a blemish-free pair of legs paraded in a short skirt.

Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston, Penny Lancaster, Tina Turner – the hottest legs belong to women of all ages. Golden and toned, their pins march through the advancing years seemingly unscathed by cellulite or veins.

So how do celebrities defy Mother Nature?  e truth is that a lot of time and money goes into achieving perfection, not to mention the assistance of an airbrush. Without the same attention, real women’s legs don’t always fare so well.

In fact, embarrassment over the state of their legs causes many women to cover up, concealing their problem legs with trousers and ever-lengthening hemlines.

Mottled complexion

An even, lightly tanned skin tone is the ideal when it comes to legs. Sadly, a mottled ‘corned beef ’ complexion is more often the reality. Exercise is the key to getting blood pumping, giving skin a natural, healthy glow.

Tanning cosmetics can also help – including instant formulations and self-tan, with a gradually developing, longer-lasting result that doesn’t streak like it did in the old days. Finally, look out for body creams with a hint of tan or shimmer, and foundations for the legs and body.

Cellulite needs exercise

A common complaint is cellulite – fat that pushes against connective tissue, causing skin to appear dimpled. Women suff er from cellulite more than men, and genes, pregnancy, age and weight can worsen the problem. 

The most effective way to reduce cellulite is to get rid of excess body fat through exercise. Massage and dry body brushing are also recommended to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, while a detoxing diet, including plenty of water and minimal coff ee, alcohol and fat, can help fl ush out toxins.

Unsightly veins

Tangled webs of unsightly red spider and thread veins and bulging purple varicose veins commonly appear on the legs of older women. But, in some cases, they can also aff ect people in their 20s.  Thread veins can be a result of too much sun exposure, while spider and varicose veins are caused by faulty valves in leg veins, which fail to pump blood back up towards the heart, allowing it to pool in the legs. Some people inherit this weakness; others develop it as a result of hormonal changes, pregnancy, menopause, obesity and jobs involving prolonged standing or sitting. In addition to the cosmetic problem, symptoms might include a heavy sensation in the legs as well as flare-ups of hot, itchy irritation.

For relief, taking regular exercise helps, as does spending time with legs elevated and wearing compression stockings.  There are also strategies that can be employed to rid legs of the network of veins without going under the knife. 

GIVE YOURSELF A LEGS MAKEOVER 

There are lots of new ways to improve the appearance of your legs – some a lot more celebritypriced than others. I’ve divided them into three problem areas with the addition of some purely pampering products.

Did you know…?

Youth is no defence against cellulite – young mum and singer Charlotte Church and skinny actress Mischa Barton have not escaped the invasion of 'orange peel'. Celebrities get varicose veins, too. Both Sex in the City’s Kristin Davis and Britney Spears have reportedly sought treatment.

Cellulite busting

Secret weapon of Jennifer Aniston, VelaShape is a non-surgical treatment using elos technology that results in smoother skin and the reduced visibility of cellulite. Bipolar radio frequency and infrared light energy is combined with vacuum and mechanical massage to speed up the metabolism, increase lymphatic drainage and shrink fat cells. Around four 45-minute sessions may be required, priced £200 each. Tel: 01628 760 450, www.velashape.com

Elle Macpherson smooths away dimples with a new treatment called Keymodule Endermologie. Using a Keymodule S machine, the procedure stimulates the circulation and lymphatic system, eliminating toxins and increasing collagen and elastin production. A course of 12–14 treatments is advised, from £360 each, at the Hurlingham Clinic & Spa. Tel: 0800 077 8242, www.hurlinghamclinic.co.uk

Fancy shaping up simply by doing housework? All you have to do is wear Lipo Contour Elite’s Capri pants, £59.99, or shorts, £49.99, while you do your chores! Made from fabric that stimulates the release of toxins and fat, they boost inch loss and make skin fi rmer, say the makers. For best results, the garments should be worn for four hours a day for eight weeks. Tel: 0845 003 1500, www.lipocontour.co.uk

Lots of lotions claim to tighten skin and get rid of cellulite. A new one with promising results is Formula Combat Cellulite Crème-Gel, £12 for 200ml, Marks & Spencer. Two-thirds of women tested said that the gel, which contains a fi rming, toning and re-contouring ‘triple action complex’, reduced the ‘orange peel effect’ after four weeks. Tel: 0845 302 1234, www.marksandspencer.com

Anti-ageing organic skincare range Laveré Body Effect includes Active Silhouette refi ning oil spray, £39 for 50ml. A combination of seaweed and mineral salt extract, sea salt and caffeine stimulates circulation and tautens the skin. Tel: 01557 870 567, www.lavere.com

Vein zapping

Varicose veins can now be treated without surgery. Successful in 95 per cent of cases, the EVLT laser system, performed under local anaesthetic, can remove varicose veins in less than an hour. Ultrasound targets the vein and laser energy seals the vein off. Compression stockings are worn for a week and the vein gradually disappears. At The Private Clinic this procedure costs £2,000 for one leg and £3,500 for two legs. Tel: 0800 599 9916, www.theprivateclinic.co.uk

Britney Spears is a fan of Lumenis One, an intense pulse light and laser system, which eliminates superfi cial leg veins quickly. It causes thermal relaxation of treated vessels, followed by their collapse and breakdown. Two treatments are recommended, priced £75 each. Tel: 020 8324 4205, www.lumenis.com

Cosmetic expert Dr Ravi Jain suggests sclerotherapy, available at clinics nationwide, for treating thread veins. Using a fi ne needle, a sclerosing solution is injected, making vein walls stick together and close off. Compression stockings are worn for a week and treated vessels gradually fade. Two or three treatments are suggested, six weeks apart. At Riverbanks Clinic, the cost per session starts at £150. Tel: 01582 762 877, www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk

Shape defining

If you haven’t got time for gym workouts, how about getting in shape simply by walking? The benefi ts of walking can be accelerated by wearing exercise shoes like Tonewalker sandals, £49, designed to tone and strengthen core muscles in the legs, bottom and tummy. Delivering five times the exercise value of standing or walking in regular shoes, they also claim to combat cellulite. Tel: 0161 975 5380, www.lovethoseshoes.com

Substituting normal training shoes for Chung Shi Comfort Shoes, from £129, makes leg muscles work considerably harder. With a 15-degree sole and refl exology bar to increase circulation and boost the metabolism, they claim to result in weight loss and reduced cellulite. Tel: 01675 430115, www.ljmsports.co.uk

Skin pampering

Legs benefit from a skincare and cosmetic regime. Pretty Polly’s Love Legs collection includes the Prepare to Bare range – including polish, scrub and moisturiser – and the Bare line-up, comprising make-up, bronzer, gloss and shimmer. Prices start at £1.47 for a 20ml sachet of Shimmy Shimmy Moisturising Leg Shimmer. Tel: 0844 770 1222, www.uktights.com/section/66/ pretty-polly-love-legs

A golden glow hides a multitude of sins. Play it safe with a self-tan like Fake Bake’s Lipo Bronze, £20, a must-have weapon in your artillery against leg imperfections. This clever formula not only produces a gradual, streak-free tan, but it also contains active ingredients said to accelerate the release of fat, helping to combat cellulite. Tel: 0870 054 4455, www.fakebake.co.uk

Natural remedies that can help

Tablets won't work magic, but they might help strengthen veins, improve blood flow and give you a lighter spring in your step.

A Vogel Venaforce Horse Chestnut tablets contain aesculus, a fresh herb extract taken from horse chestnuts. With anti-infl ammatory properties, it is thought to help tone blood vessels and ease the pain of tired, heavy legs. £9.05 for 30 tablets. Tel: 01294 277344, www.avogel.co.uk

Red vine leaf extract is a natural ally in maintaining healthy leg veins. Boots Alternatives Leg Vein Health capsules harness this ingredient. For maximum benefi t, take one capsule twice daily for at least six weeks. £3.91 for 30 capsules. Tel: 0845 070 8090, www.boots.com

Biofl avonoids diosmin and rutin are powerful antioxidants, helping protect veins and capillaries against harmful free radicals. Nutrition for Healthy Veins capsules combine these ingredients with bilberry, which supports vein strength and tone. £7.90 for 30 capsules. Tel: 0800 458 4747, www.highernature.co.uk

Studies have shown that ginkgo flavonoids, the active ingredients in ginkgo biloba, improve blood circulation. Ginkyo One-A-Day contains 120mg of ginkgo biloba extract, the equivalent of 30mg of active ginkgo flavonoids. £15.99 for 30 tablets. Tel: 0800 652 7150, www.naturalhealthylife.co.uk  

The truth about legs

• 85 per cent of women have cellulite.
• 20 per cent of women in their 30s have varicose veins.
• Varicose veins affect half of people aged 50 and above.
• Up to 55 per cent of women are affected by thread veins.
• Women get thread veins as early as their mid-20s.