Bikini beauties, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs top up their tans in Marbella

Since The Only Way Is Essex gang rocked into Marbella a few days ago, the deep tans, bikinis, and towering heels have been on full show.

But some of the main cast of the reality TV show have kept a fairly low profile - until now.

Not to be outdone by the rest of their cast mates, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs proved that their ’no carbs before Marbs’ mantra had paid off as they hit the pool yesterday.

This is the life! TOWIE’s Sam Faiers and Amy Childs show off their enviable figures as they top up their tans by the pool in Marbella

The two friends looked amazing in their bikinis as they soaked up the sun at a private residence away from their fellow TOWIE stars.

And they not only topped up their tans but larked about taking pictures of each other as they lounged about by the water’s edge.

Here come the girls, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs strut around by the pool at the private residence where they are staying

Party for two, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs wave their hands in the air as they have a boogie by the pool

Sam looked stunning in her floral two-piece which showed off her tan while Amy settled for a bright cerise bikini that flattered her curves.

Boutique owner Sam and beauty therapist Amy arrived in Marbella on Monday but have kept away from the cameras, leaving the spotlight to shine on their cast mates instead.

Get my best side, Amy Childs strikes a pose as Sam Faiers takes her picture

One more for the album, Sam Faiers holds out her phone as she snaps one of her and Amy Childs together

But yesterday it was their turn for some lens attention as they lounged around the pool, recovering from their night out on Tuesday.

The girls were snapped out for the first time in the Spanish resort as they put on their gladrags and hit the bars and clubs in the resort.

Lazy days: Amy Childs soaks up the heat of the sun while Sam Faiers cools off with a cold shower

Joined by a couple of girlfriends, the pair were snapped walking through the main street of the town before stopping to have a drink and a dance.

And they looked as though they were still on Cloud Nine after their Bafta win on Sunday as they let their hair down and played up to the cameras.

At one point, the ladies posed for a picture as they lifted Amy in the air across them, almost revealing a little too much under her short white dress.

She said: ’We wasn’t sure if we were going to be invited and wasn’t sure of the dates and me and Amy had booked our flights to Marbella on the Sunday.

’And then when we got our invites through, I said, "right, we’ve got to change it", so I was on the case, and we flew to Marbella first thing on the Monday, so I knew I couldn’t get too drunk on Sunday!’

That’ll give you some interesting tan lines: The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh shows off her size 8 figure in a multi-coloured cut-out swimsuit at the Buddha Beach club in Puerto Banus, Spain

It made a change to see Amy and Sam take centre stage after a week of their cast mates Lydia Bright, Jessica Wright and Lucy Mecklenburgh being the subject of the camera’s attentions.

First we had Lucy, 19, who was snapped replacing her fake tan with a real glow as she wore a revealing multi-coloured swimsuit at the Buddha Beach Club in Puerto Banus yesterday.

All new curves: Jessica Wright shows off her surgically-enhanced figure in a frilly aqua bikini in Marbella

Later on, she was joined at the club by her friends Lydia Bright and Jessica Wright, who were also showing off the latest from their bikini collection.

Lydia took off a white sundress to reveal a tiny black bikini, while Jessica opted for a turquoise blue two-piece which flattered her new breasts.

The Essex gang - which also includes Joey Essex, Mark Wright and James Argent - are in Marbella for the week and plan to party every night.

Shady lady: Lydia Bright - the only castmember who doesn’t use fake tan - showed off her natural glow in a black two-piece while on holiday with the rest of the cast in Marbella