Going wild! Lucy Mecklenburgh in a snake-print Bikini on the Caribbean beach

Lucy Mecklenburgh is renowned as being one of the most tanned castmembers of The Only Way Is Essex.

But the pretty reality star has traded in her faux glow for a real one as she soaks up the sun in the Caribbean.

The fashion designer, 20, showed off her stunning figure in a very revealing snake-print monokini as she enjoyed a pre-Christmas break in Barbados.

 Going wild: The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh shows off her stunning figure in a snake-print monokini on the beach left little to the imagination in the Caribbean

 

 Cool down: The fashion designer wades into the Caribbean sea to cool down

Apparently holidaying solo without her boyfriend Mario Falcone, the brunette enjoyed a dip in the sea and a spot of sunbathing.

Keen to keep her long brown hair in good condition, she made sure she rinsed out the sea water with a refreshing shower.

And despite her love of tanning, Mecklenburgh made sure she protected her skin with some SPF.

Refreshing: The reality TV star washes the sea water out of her long locks following her swim

Mecklenburgh's trip to the Caribbean is just one of several holidays she has taken in recent months.

On Monday, she and bespoke tailor Falcone, 23, flew to the UAE for a twin-city break in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

And in November, she and Falcone celebrated their reunion with a break in Egypt.

That doesn't look comfortable: Lucy perches on an upturned boat as she dries off in the sun

Fans of TOWIE will know the couple briefly parted ways in Series 3 after she admitting to spending the night in ex-boyfriend Mark Wright's Essex flat in September - although she insisted she woke up with her clothes on.

Despite her amazing figure, the Essex girl admits she actually has a lot of insecurities.

In an interview last year, the 5ft 6in star complained her legs weren't long enough.

She said: 'My biggest body issue is my legs because they�re quite short. My dad calls me Stumpy! I wear heels quite a lot.'

All over tan: There wasn't a white bit to be seen on the super-tanned model

 Practising safe sun: Despite her love of tanning, Lucy makes sure she keeps her skin protected

However, despite a lot of her TOWIE co-stars being surgically-enhanced, Mecklenburgh isn't tempted to go under the knife.

She explained: 'I�m quite against surgery. Well, I wouldn�t get anything done right now. It�s quite tempting in our situation, but I wouldn�t touch my face at this age.'

Mecklenburgh has revealed the secret to her svelte figure on her Twitter - a new 'body trainer' designed by the reality star herself and personal trainer Mark Anthony.

The trainer can be positioned to do 17 different toning and stretching exercises, giving the body a good workout in the comfort of your home.

Shower time: Mecklenburgh is distracted during her shower session

Whoops! Today is the girls' last day in Marbella and Lucy tweetedtoday that she will be launching a range with Little Mistress when she returnsto Essex

 

Holiday over! Lucy looked lovely in purple and hats in the windduring their Marbella break