Hippie girl? I've never heard anyone call Charisma that.
Well, when she first started on Buffy, she wasn't good at all. I watched "Becoming Pt 2" last night and boy there were some parts in there where she was horrible.
However, she has gotten a lot better. She's no Nicole Kidman, but she isn't a Shannon Elizabeth. I'd say she is a decent actress, who isn't going to win an Oscar anytime soon.