Elle Fanning, 14, shows off colourful unicorn tattoo

Defying her tender teen years: Elle Fannig showed off a temporary tattoo on her hip bone when she stepped out in Los Angeles yesterday

She is just 14 years old but Elle Fanning is already defying her tender years.

So much so that the rising star yesterday stepped out showing off a new tattoo.

However it seems that the ink is just temporary and the sister of Dakota Fanning is merely experimenting with some body art.

The colourful unicorn design sits on her left hip bone and its red and blue hues make the tattoo very visible against the teen’s porcelain skin.

Elle seemed keen to show off the ink when she picked up some refreshments with her mother in Los Angeles.

The fresh-faced blonde sported a yellow crop top and denim cut-off shorts which exposed her newly decorated midriff.

Elle teamed her summery ensemble with a pair of simple blue sandals, showing off fluorescent pink toenails, and tied part of her sandy locks into a braid.

Horseplay: The colourful unicorn design sits on the youngster's left hip bone

Mum's the word: Elle stepped out with her mother Heather to pick up some refreshments from Starbucks and Jamba Juice

Meanwhile her mother Heather sported white trousers and a matching tank top under a plaid shirt.

It seems the We Bought A Zoo star couldn’t quite make up her mind when it came to choosing a beverage as she carried drinks from both Starbucks and Jamba Juice while making her way back to her mother’s car.

The actress is fast catching up to her 18-year-old sister as a Hollywood starlet.

Summer wardrobe: The rising star sported a yellow crop top and denim cut-off shorts

And the star showed she isn't counting on her good genes or youth to keep her slim when she was spotted emerging from a rigorous professional dance class earlier this week.

Elle took home the award for Breakthrough Performance last week for her role as Alice Dainard in Super 8.

Staying in shape: Elle was spotted emerging from a high octane dance class earlier this week

But much more is expected to come from the actress, who recently finished filming 1960s film Bomb. 

The movie, which follows two teenage girls living in London and also stars Christina Hendricks and Annette Bening, is scheduled for release in 2013.

Elle is also cast to play Princess Aurora in the forthcoming Disney movie Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie as the title character. 

The film is currently in pre-production, slated for a 2014 release.