1990s intensified her image as a teen idol, from which she sought to dissociate herself. Santos took risks by starring in unconventional projects like Sabel. Lamangan called her performance one of her "finest and most accomplished", while The Philippine Star wrote of her transition to adult roles, "[Santos] can bid those light-as-froth, boring-to-death roles good riddance". Early in her career, Santos was particularly known for playing oppressed and impoverished women, and specialized in "martyred characters". She is also noted for her ability to "cry on cue", often asking directors how they want her to specifically cry. Journalist Rose Fausto wrote that she "possesses an advanced skill in crying and acting out emotions effectively in dramatic scenes because she has a wealth of experience to draw from". Gallaga described Santos's vulnerability saying, "It’s easy for [her] to cry... sometimes, even before the camera starts rolling... so what she does is blank out her mind and wait for the take." Journalist Chez Ganal wrote that "[w]ithout benefit of a scene partner, [she] had to expose a variety of emotions... she also didn't have help from dramatic monologues and confrontation scenes." He described Santos's ability to subtly "blend into the scene and not stand out" a test of her "range and control". Commenting on her comedic performances, Asilo praised her ability to "get off the beaten track", and called it a "brave and bold decision that evinces growth and maturity". "Making people laugh is a special skill that requires an idiosyncratic combination of innate talent and time-honed experience", he says, "but [Santos's] spot-on characterization and lived-in earnestness manage to see her through". Nestor Torre Jr., also of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, described her foray into comedy as "gutsy". As a frequent collaborator, Piolo Pascual has said working with Santos was a critical breakthrough for him. Dennis Trillo, her co-star in Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita and Mag-ingat Ka Sa... Kulam, considers Santos to be "the picture of excellence in the profession", and Iza Calzado, with whom she worked with in Ouija and Mga Mumunting Lihim, believes that she is a "naturally gifted" actress and her "eyes alone express emotions". Javier Reyes said that "[s]he is in a league all her own. They don't make actresses like her anymore. Give her a phonebook to read and she will deliver an award-worthy, original performance." Since her childhood, Santos has considered Julie Vega a role model