How to Get Rosario Dawson's Sultry Style

"The skirt is like a cloud of shredded coconut," says Dawson about this frothy raffia confection by Christian Siriano. "It's very luxurious and dramatic at the same time." Sharp accents like pointy lace-up ballet slippers and a rakish Panama hat balance the dreaminess of the skirt; recycled-glass jewelry—from Dawson and business partner Abrima Erwiah's new Studio One Eighty Nine collection—and a floral top add an earthy touch.

Top, Cameo, $150. Skirt, Christian Siriano. Hat, Stetson. Earrings, Sylvia Toledano. Necklaces and bracelets, Studio One Eighty Nine. Shoes, Daniele Michetti. Clutch, Serpui.

The palm-frond-print shirt works because it picks up the rich brown shade in a painterly skirt with a midcentury-modern silhouette. Textured jewelry—"lace" earrings, woven bangles, a beaded necklace—continue the island vibe. "My grandmother had a really great way with mixing patterns and colors," says Dawson, who is of Afro-Cuban, Puerto Rican, Irish, and Native American descent. "It all looked so good with her beautiful white hair and dark skin."

Shirt, Lafayette 148, $348. Bikini top, Norma Kamali, $175. Skirt, Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, $698. Earrings, Monika Knutsson. Necklace, Bluma Project. Bangles, R.J. Graziano. Bracelet, Holst + Lee, $189. Shoes, Chinese Laundry.

Romantic and organic come together in an intricate lace eyelet top and skirt paired with a showstopping pom-pom and shell necklace. "I love the whole 'Havana nights' theme of the shoot," says Dawson, who also appeared in the recent film Top Five. "I had great old Spanish music playing on my iPod. It was a mix from Mathieu Schreyer—he's a DJ and my ex-boyfriend, and he's got good taste."

Beauty Highlight: Perfectly Imperfect
The key to a chic, tousled style: lots of volume. To prep Dawson's hair, Paves spritzed a thermal spray. (We like Ken Paves You Are Beautiful Detangling Thermal Protectant Spray.) Next, he applied a mousse (try Garnier Fructis Style Full & Plush Root Amp Root Lifting Spray Mousse) to Dawson's roots, then a volumizing spray (like Kérastase Résistance Spray Volumifique). Last, Paves worked a dry shampoo (try Toni & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe Casual Matt Texture Dry Shampoo) through the roots for extra texture.

Top and skirt, Oscar de la Renta. Bra, Cosabella. Earrings, Miriam Salat. Necklace, Figue. Cuff, Alexis Bittar. Ring, Daniel Espinosa.

Equal parts hot and cool, this look layers textures and colors in a raw yet sultry way—fitting for a style inspired by the heady mix of European, African, and Asian cultures in Cuba. The recycled-glass-bead bracelets shown here, along with everything else in the Studio One Eighty Nine collection, were handcrafted by artisans in Africa. "Abrima and I wanted to give people a platform to sell their wares and create a sustainable model instead of just sending them money," says Dawson. "These are beautiful pieces with an ethical business concept behind them."

Top, Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, $298. Bra, Aubade, $165. Skirt, Samuji, $630. Necklace, Holst + Lee. Brass necklace and bracelets, Studio One Eighty Nine. Clutch, Tonya Hawkes. Shoes, Bionda Castana. Straw bag, Mar y Sol. Scarf, Bindya.

A sparkly, sequin-fringed skirt, a graphic cardigan and a printed crop top may seem to come from different fashion planets, but they converge harmoniously in this outfit. The secret? Neutral accessories and a fitted silhouette that ground the look. "The skirt reminds me of the sequined dress I wore to my tenth birthday party," says Dawson, who grew up on New York City's Lower East Side. "I love the idea of wearing something incredibly festive just to go for a drive."

Beauty Highlight: The Five-Minute Face
L.A. makeup artist Kirin Bhatty perfected Dawson's fresh, natural look. You don't wake up with radiant skin? Dot a highlighter (try Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess All Over Illuminator) on your temples, along your cheekbones, and down your nose. Then swipe a warm pink blush (like Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Sweet Rose) on the apples of your cheeks. Rim lashlines with a dark brown liner (try L'Oréal Paris Infallible Smokissime Powder Eyeliner Pen in Brown Smoke), and add black mascara (like Covergirl Full Lash Bloom by LashBlast in Very Black). The final touch: a nude lipstick (Bhatty combined like Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in Rose Baiser and Rouge Blossom) dabbed with fingertips for a subtle tint.

Cardigan, Sophie Theallet, $790. Crop top, Elle Sasson, $265. Skirt, J. Crew, $398. Earrings, Miguel Ases. Fossilized mammoth necklace, Me & Ro. Circle necklace, Shaesby. Long pendant necklace, Kismet by Milka. Bracelets, Daniel Espinosa. Watch, Bulova. Shoes, Kate Spade. Hat, Stetson.

How to make a tulle ball gown less fancy and more flirty? Pair it with a borrowed-from-the-boys printed shirt (inspired by the work of the influential '80s artist Jean-Michel Basquiat), collar effortlessly popped and short sleeves rolled. "This outfit reminded me of the clothes in classic '80s movies," says Dawson.

Beauty Highlight: Bronze Star
The ideal accessory for a luminous complexion: smooth, sun-kissed skin all over. Here's how to get it. For a hint of color, try a tinted lotion; Bhatty recommends Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion. Want a longer-lasting glow? Use recommends Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse. Maintain your bronze with a daily moisturizer. (We love Vaseline Intensive Care Healing Serum Radiance Restore.)

Shirt, Donna Karan, $895. Dress, Monique Lhuillier. Earrings, Miguel Ases. Cuff, Miriam Salat. Watch, Tissot. Shoes, Bionda Castana.

This shirt (a take on a guayabera, a traditional garment worn by Cuban men) balances the sexiness of a crop top and pencil skirt. Bold accessories—huge raffia earrings, a raffia bag, a flower cuff and sharp heels—add fashion-forward pop. "This look is very old-school bombshell," says Dawson. "I love the Sophia Loren hair."

Shirt, & Other Stories, $90. Crop top, $265, and skirt, $445, A.L.C. Earrings, Alexis Bittar. Bag, M Missoni. Cuff, LK Designs. Shoes, Chelsea Paris.