Does my bum look smooth in this?

Preparing for the annual beach-body reveal is always a trial. But this year fashion has raised the perfect-bottom bar still further as hemlines ride high at D&G, Paul & Joe and Balenciaga. Perky bums have become the new washboard abs.

If you’ve let your Pilates classes slip, don’t despair: help is at hand. Here’s what London’s competitive butt-improvers are using behind closed doors before they hit the beach.

THE CELLULITE SOLUTION

French women don’t get fat — and apparently they don’t get cellulite either. Their secret is the Caffeine Pure Active A90 serum, £11.30 (etatpur.co.uk), from French brand Etat Pur, which has just landed in London. The claim is that the “biometric” formula means ingredients (primarily caffeine) have a better affinity with the skin to mobilise and eliminate existing fat cells, plus preventing new ones from forming.

THE SCULPTING SHORTS

Pilates shmilates — the makers of Slendertone shorts claim you’ll get a firmer bottom just by sitting on it. Based on the theory of electro muscle stimulation, strategically placed pads inside the shorts kick-start muscle contractions to mimic the toning effect of exercise. Use it for 30 minutes four times a week for sweat-free sculpting. Just limit it to the privacy of your own home (£139.99 slendertone.com).

PROFESSIONAL PERK-ME-UPS

Carboxy therapy — where carbon dioxide is injected just below the skin’s surface — has been used to treat stretch marks for years. As a waste product, the carbon dioxide “tricks” the body into increasing blood circulation in the area to stimulate healing and collagen production for a line-free look. A cold, uncomfortable feeling used to be par for the course. But the new RioBlush machine at EF MEDISPA uses warm CO2, so you can combat orange peel without the discomfort. From £300 for one treatment, from £2,250 for the recommended eight (efmedispa.com).

AND WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…

Rejoice — even models get cellulite. Backstage at shows, make-up artists use a damp sponge to stipple on foundation (try MAC Face and Body, £22.50, maccosmetics.co.uk). Then set with a sweep of sweat-absorbing powder (Bare Minerals’ All Over Face Colour, £19, bareminerals.co.uk, will do the trick and add a hint of colour). Buns of steel via body care will be available from May thanks to St Tropez’s Gradual Tan plus firming which contains Chronodyn — an ingredient that revs up cell renewal to strengthen collagen and smooth skin as you get your glow on.