Last week for the StyleList Prairie New York Giveaway, we asked whose style you try to emulate. So many of you responded with the lovely Rachel Bilson! With The O.C. long behind her, Bilson is turning into a bonafide star.

We listen.

Here she is at right in a beautiful gold dress by Monique Lhuillier (moe-NEEK LOO-lee-yay) at the premiere for Jumper in New York. See the gallery below for the full dress and several of Bilson's other looks from this year, and read on for hair and makeup tips.


Bilson's style is clean and classy. She shies away from too-tight clothing and opts for pieces that make her look long and leggy; she's only 5'3" according to Celebrity Index! While you've been emulating Bilson, she's been looking to Diane Keaton and Kate Moss for inspiration.

We assume that when she's home, she wears her own line Edie Rose for DKNY. Right?

To get Bilsontastic hair, you have to go either sleek or beachy. If you go for sleek, try spraying a shine spray into your hair before blow drying, use a diffuser to blow from root to tip, and finish with a flat iron. Part hair in the middle, set with a gentle hairspray, kiss yourself in the mirror, and go.

For beachy hair, pin your hair up in a loose chignon on top of your head and let it air dry (you can help it a little with the dryer, but the more air-time, the better). When it's ready, flip your head over and scrunch your roots, with product if necessary. Flip back, let it fall, and guide it with a wide-toothed comb to a slightly irregular and off-center part. Scrunch in a lightweight gel, hairspray it to preserve volume and bounce, and keep it in front of your shoulders as much as possible.

Bilson keeps her face very natural, using the usual blend of "just a bit flushed" colors like pinks, peaches, and browns. She keeps her eyebrows almost curved, with only a slight arch above the outer edge of her irises.

Now to the eyes, where Bilson plays up the drama: sweep a dark neutral, like taupe or stone colors, over the whole lid. Blend a lighter--but still darker than your skin--shade into the creases and the outer edges of your lids. Put down your liquid liner, get a black shadow and a defining brush. Wet the brush and carefully paint the liner (use small strokes) all the way around each eye. Now put on a lengthening, separating mascara, and a lot of it, and boom! You're Rachel Bilson. And congratulations; you are a total 2008 style icon.