In her new movie, Hayden Panettiere plays the prettiest and most popular girl in school — and now we know why!

From her hair, to her makeup to her ensemble, the glamorous 19-year-old actress pulled out all the stops for a private screening of I Love You, Beth Cooper at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City today (July 7).

So just how does Miss Panettiere dress herself in ways to compliment her petite size? At just a little over 5-feet-tall, she tells Lucky magazine, “There are all these little tricks that make such a difference, like being conscious of when a shoe cuts me off at the ankle, so it doesn’t shorten my legs.” She also prefers high-waisted shorts like these for her small frame.

Hayden adds that she takes some of her style cues from an outside source: R&B diva Rihanna. “I admire Rihanna’s ability to put on just about anything and look amazing. Her outfits are always very her.”