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Cheeky beauty: Get your rear into top gear

Kylie, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce, may have bootylicious backsides, but for most not-so-lucky ladies, derrieres are a source of shame.

Too big, too bony, too flabby or even spotty, bottoms in the real world just aren't perfect. And a bothersome butt can stop you slipping into dream skinny jeans or baring (almost) all in that sexy bikini.

But all is not lost. You don't need to crash diet, live in the gym or re-mortgage your house to fund a bum transplant. Whatever your natural shape and size, some effort - and a few nifty health & beauty tips - can transform the baggiest butt into a smooth, toned and peachy posterior.

Plus, don't miss our expert Q&A with lingerie expert Susannah Barron who will solve all your lingerie dilemmas. Find the perfect pants to wear under trousers, controlwear and more - and get 15% off with free delivery in our exclusive Figleaves offer.

Tone-up your tooshy

A few simple exercises can make the world of difference to your bottom - and you don't need Kelly Holmes' athletic ability.

Start by shaking that booty - dancing for an hour can burn up to 500 calories and will tone up your toosh, and if you'd rather round-up a shapeless bum, brisk walks will lift your cheeks and firm muscle.

Then, use your staircase to step-up the challenge. Step onto the bottom stair with your right foot and lift your left knee to hip height. Step down with your left foot, and repeat on the right side.

Lunges also tighten buttocks. Take a large step forward then lower the body, contracting your bum cheeks, lining your front knee up with your ankle. Push off with your back foot taking a large step forward with the other. Once you're comfortable with the exercise, add sexy wrist and ankle weights.

A programme like Pilates will tone-up the whole body, particularly your posterior. Boots do an introductory kit for £7.49 if you order online.

Polished posterior

Bums benefit from TLC! Massaging, exfoliating and moisturising will improve its' appearance, even toning your rear-end up a bit if you keep up the good work.

Start with an electronic brush to improve circulation and drainage whist smoothing the skin. Panasonic's 2-in-1 body brush and massager (£22.92) is a good buy at Amazon. Use an exfoliating brush to minimise the effect of cellulite, improving the look (and feel!) of your bottom. A scrub adds extra oomph.

If cellulite's a problem, try a firming cream . No7's Firm-Your-Body (£9.50) tones and smoothes orange-peel skin, adding a subtle sunless tan, sorting out tan lines and masking bot-blemishes. Peachy!

If all else fails!

Plenty of celebs rely on control underwear to keep posteriors looking perfect - and contemporary designs are more slightly flattering than Bridget Jones' big pants! Knicker-experts M&S do a fab range of bum-taming shapewear .

If your bottom lacks that curvy J-Lo factor, give it a boost with Wonderbra's Bootylicious briefs (£20). They claim to "curve up" the flattest of bottoms.

And if exercise leaves you cold, a toning system will do the hard work. Slendertone's Flex Bottom & Thigh Toning System (£99.99) involves wearing cycling-style shorts that firm and tone the muscles in your butt.