The IDEAL Magazine's Best Dressed List for 2016 SAG Awards

SOFIA VERGARA In Vera Wang, RACHEL MCADAMS In Elie Saab,  QUEEN LATIFAH In Michael Costello,   ANNA FARIS in Naeem Khan,  ALICIA VIKANDER In Louis Vuitton at the 2016 SAG Awards

SOFIA VERGARA In Vera Wang

RACHEL MCADAMS In Elie Saab 

QUEEN LATIFAH In Michael Costello 

ANNA FARIS in Naeem Khan 

ALICIA VIKANDER In Louis Vuitton

Green with Envy at the 2016 SAG Awards

Eva Longoria, Uso Aduba, Marisa Tomei, Kate Winslet, Taye Diggs, Neil Brown Jr. wear green in a way that others envy.

Eva Longoria wore the most stunning dress of the evening on the red carpet at the 2016 SAG Awards. Taye Diggs  and Neil Brown Jr.  both wore bold green tuxedos that looked AWESOME. Uso Aduba, Marisa Tomei, Kate Winslet and Carol Burnett (not pictured) all wore lovely green ensembles.  
Eva and Taye presented together  and looked amazing  in green receiving rave reviews on their 
attire choices.

Color on the Carpet at the 2016 SAG Awards

Idris Elba, Uso Aduba, Queen Latifah, Viola Davis, Dascha Polanco SAG Awards red carpet/winners

The 2016 SAG Awards hit a homer with diversity in its nominees, presenters and this year the winners. Although the Academy Awards may have some confusion as to what this mean, the SAG Awards got it very right this year. And thankfully, each beautiful brown winner got it right on the red carpet as well. All of them were quite stunning in their choice apparel.

Idris Elba wins both SAG Awards in the Best Make Actor Categories nominated for

Idris Elba made history taking home the Best Male Actor award in both of the categories he was nominated for.

Queen Latifah won her second SAG Award for her performance in Bessie (the first was for Chicago).

Viola Davis won  Best Female Actor in a Drama Series for her performance in How to Get Away With Murder.

Uso Aduba took home both an individual award for Best Supporting Actress and a group award for The Orange is the New Black.

Dascha Polanco shared in the cast SAG award for Orange is the New Black  along with Selenis  Leyva (wish I had a full length photo of her in this stunning gown!), Samira Wiley and Laverne Cox (who is very much the split image of Omarosa! geesh).

Selenis  Leyva, Samira Wiley and Laverne Cox at 2016 SAG Awards Red Carpet 

Men of Color at 2016 SAG Awards Oshea Jackson Jr, Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins, Anthony Mackie, 
Taye Diggs,  Keegan-Michael Key, Jason Winston George, Idris Elba,, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje 

The men of color at the 2016 SAG Awards were all dashing! Including the entire cast of Straight Outta Compton Oshea Jackson Jr, Jason Mitchell, Anthony Mackie, Taye Diggs and Keegan-Michael Key of Key and Peele and all of the other chocolate men.

Look out for our Best Dressed and Questionable Choices  (Worst Dressed) for the 2016 SAG Awards

Eva Longoria's Dress at 2016 SAG Awards Deserves a WIN of its Own!

Eva Longoria's Amazing Julien MacDonald green SAG Awards dress 2016

Eva Longoria put the icing on the red carpet cake with this dress. The fact that she has the body to pull this off and looked FLAWLESS in this dress is impressive. This Julien MacDonald dress deserves a WIN of its own. 

We LOVE IT!

ILJA ASSIMILA SS16 COUTURE COLLECTION...Graphic & Sculptural

Recently, Ideal PR Media and The IDEAL Magazine were invited to attend the ILJA Couture runway show in Paris France. A very special thanks to Zak Tyler Consulting for always keeping Ideal PR Media and The IDEAL Magazine in the loop. Above are the Editor's Picks. Below are more images from the runway and the rest of our favorites from this collection.

In January 2016 The ILJA ASSIMILA SS16 COUTURE COLLECTION showed in Paris France. This collection is hailed as "Graphic" and "Sculptural." ILJA creations graced the runway with elegance, exuding sophisticated comfort.

Dutch fashion designer, ILJA Visser launched her first namesake couture line in 2005 after being trained in New York under Donna Karan and later in Milan. Since, ILJA has developed her own conceptual vision and artistic approach to fashion. 

In 2011, ILJA became the first Dutch designer to receive the Cultuur Mode Stipendium award from the Prince Bernhard Cultural Foundation (Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds) for her innovation and talent within The Netherlands.

ILJA Couture Designer Ilja Visser

2016 Super Bowl Buick Commercial featuring Odell Beckham Jr.

Buick airs its first ever Super Bowl Ad in 2016 featuring the Cascada, Buick’s first convertible in 25 years (and arrives in dealerships in the coming weeks). The 30-second spot, scheduled to air during Super Bowl 50, features Buick’s all-new Cascada luxury convertible and stars New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and actress/model Emily Ratajkowski.

"While I would love to be on the field during the biggest game of the year, I'm excited to co-star in Buick's first Super Bowl ad," said Beckham Jr.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of Buick’s first ever Super Bowl ad.” said Ratajkowski. “I got to combine my love of sports, cars and fashion, while checking off a bucket list item – being in a Super Bowl commercial!”

A special thanks to Mark Pasetsky at John Doe Communication.

National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 5, 2016

Support Go Red For Women by participating in National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 5, 2016 to help fund research during American Health Month to help promote heart heath with the American Heart Association.

Why Go Red? Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds, with 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events having the potential to be prevented with education and action. That’s why on Friday February 5th it is encouraged to wear red to support National Wear Red Day®  for Go Red For Woman. By doing so you help support educational programs to increase women’s awareness and critical research to discover scientific knowledge about cardiovascular health. 

Consider making your heart health a priority. Schedule your Well-Woman Visit, a prevention check-up to review a woman’s overall health so her doctor can measure blood pressure, check cholesterol and look for signs of heart disease, stroke and other illnesses. Then encourage others through your social channels to do the same using the hashtags, #GoRedWearRed and #WellWomenVisit. To learn more or to donate visit National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 5 visit www.goredforwomen.org

Swoon Over the 2017 Jaguar

Charriol's New "Fabulous" Collection

                      A very special thanks to Kosi Harris 

This Chamilia Locket Stole My Heart!

Ideal PR Media and The IDEAL Magazine are super fans of Chamilia (www.chamilia.com), jewelry (a Swarovski company).  The Cupid’s Arrow Locket is a heart-shaped locket with arrow opens to reveal the message “I’m Yours.” This sterling silver charm features 14 karat rose gold electroplating, and a Swarovski Pure Brilliance Zirconia bezel set in a star pattern on both sides (MSRP $65). Such a wonderful gift idea for Valentines day (or any day...I want one!).

“Valentine’s Day is a very important time of the year for jewelry in consumers’ lives. It’s an item most women would like to receive—particularly the personalized jewelry with sentimental value that our brand creates,” said Chamilia Vice President, Global Merchandising and Marketing Catherine Ottaviano. “We need to continue to surprise them with new exclusively designed, highly detailed items to adore that mean something in their lives.” 

The Peninsula Chicago Hotel's Fabulous New Rooms!

Check out the video below for more about this renovation.

Emerald Shines Bright at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards

Emerald green was a hit at this years 2016 Golden Globe Awards. This year everyone got it right, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Jamie Alexander, Keltie Knight and Rachel Bloom.

Jada Pinkett Smith wearing an emerald green Versace dress with Van Cleef jewels and Jimmy Choo shoes at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards 

All the Hype in WHITE at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards #StyleAlert

All dressed in White at the 2016 Golden Globes (L-R) 

Taraji P. Henson in Stella McCartney; Liz Hernandez; Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton; Laverne Cox in Elizabeth Kennedy; Saoirse Ronan in Yves Saint Laurent; Maria Menounos

Taraji P. Henson Snags the Golden Globe in White Stella McCartney

Favorite Natural Curly Girl Products for 3C/4A/4B Low Porosity Hair

(List of products and images are further down...scroll down to skip my tips one use)
There are a lot of naturals who swear by certain products and have a good handle on everything about their hair from texture, to type to density and porosity. Some of us are playing catch up...even if we are not newly natural.

My hair: 3C/4A with some 4B strands; LOW POROSITY, high density and fine to normal hair texture. I have been natural for a little over 4 years; yes I did a big chop to about a 1 inch of hair. My hair was between 20-22 inches before my last trim (Dec 2015) and now it is about 18-19 inches in most places. For the longest time I thought my hair was coarse and I had no clue about porosity. But the more I researched ( a LOT) I learned more and more. So now I can really begin to care for my hair properly (after this demi-permanent color exits stage left SMH...darn grey hairs!).

See how I have what appears to be a 3C curl clump and nearby is a 4A. In the middle photo you can see the 4A/4B strands and above you can see the hair without product looking dry as the desert and super frizzy.

I tried all types of products over the 2015 year and I added a few great ones in the mix, and returned to some of the ones I've been using for a few years. Although I am not as big of a stickler for ingredients, I do stay away from products with mineral oils, parabens, and sulfates. Most of the products I use do not have silicones and my styling products do not have alcohol. I wish I could use flaxseed gel, but my hair does not seem to respond very well and is always dry and brittle. But it's ok. The majority of the products that my hair responds well to are not that expensive, technically not a "natural" specific product, thus they can be found in Target, Walmart or Walgreens (except my Rhassoul Clay. I now get that from Mountain Rose Herbs for about $10 for a pound).

My current favorite products for my 3C/4A/4B low porosity, high density hair

Here are my MUST haves:
Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner 
Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Conditioning Treatment
Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
Rhassoul Clay (Mountain Rose Herbs)
Ampro Pro Styl Curl Enhancer Activator (With Coconut and Aloe or Olive Oil and Aloe)
***I have used Proclaim Activator Gel and Long Aid Activator Gel too. I will have to do a separate review on all three once I have them all at the same time.
Xtreme Wet Line Styling Gel (green top)
Eco Styler with Argan Oil (yellow gel with red top)
Jojoba Oil (buying direct from the Jojoba Company or Whole Foods...believe it or not, can be cheaper).

I have these but don't use as often, but I still like these below products
*Garnier Fructis Tripple Nutrition (I will use this if I am out of the others, or in warmer months)
*Curls Goddess Curl Botanical gel (I cannot use by itself, but will sometimes use it in conjunction with something else based on the style of my hair)
*Leave-in-Conditioner: Giovanni Direct Leave In (I use on non-wash-n-go styles, which is not often at all. If I run out of my Giovanni Deep conditioner I sometimes use this a a pre-poo/co-wash).
*I do have two containers of Emma & Sana Ghassoul Clay, but I will only use if I run out of my Mountain Rose Herbs brand which I like a little better, plus its much cheaper!
I also have some Shea Moisture products, but I haven't bought them in a while and do not tend to use them in the colder months as much. The Curling Custard is one I like to use combined with the Curls "Goddess Curls." These are not my "must-haves" per-se, and while I do have and use them occasionally, I do not buy them often. I used them more often when my hair was shorter. Now than my hair is longer, it appears to prefer the products above.  I intend to try the Aubrey Organics brand, but not until I use up most of what I currently have. I had (have ;-) a tendency to buy different products before my products I own are used up. I will be posting soon showing ALL of the products I tried in 2015. I didn't realize how many I had until I took them out to take pictures. Sheessshhh.

The products I listed above are the products that work for me right now. I own a hair steamer and always sit under my hair steamer for 10-15 minutes when I deep condition, and then put a plastic cap on, and either immediately wrap it with a towel or sit under a soft hood dryer for another 15 minutes. My deep conditioning treatment is always done with steam/heat and always on for a minimum of 30 minutes. My hair is funny in that it didn't respond well to the flaxseed gel...no matter how many ways I tried it, my hair ended up dry, crunchy and sometimes with a white film randomly scattered throughout. I will try it again in the summer.

I found that spraying aloe vera juice with water mist on my clean, product-free, freshly cleansed hair makes my hair dry and brittle. However my hair does like some products with aloe vera already included in the product (go-figure). I won't say that my hair does not like aloe vera juice, I will just say that I have not figured out the proper use for my hair just yet...because both turn my hair into a frizzy or brittle mess. I did try something new today. I sprayed my hair with the aloe juice water mist to "refresh my curls," which already some curl enhancer and Xtreme styling gel on it. When it dried it was more frizzy that before I added it. However, I added more around the edged and slicked it back into a banana clip (bun) and the results were not bad. Not as smooth and slick as if I smoothed with a top coat of gel, but my hair has remained soft and does not feel dryer than before, even though the ends of my hair are way more frizzy than before the aloe spritz.

Ok so first you can see where my hair naturally separates because of my long standing parts. But this is how my hair looked after I spritz the aloe vera juice water on it and slicked it in a bun. My hair in the bun is super frizzy...hence why it was pulled back. It was not as frizzy prior to the water spritz. This was applied on hair with gel already in it.

I find that my hair does not care for leave-in conditioners when doing my wash-n-go styles in the colder months. I have not figured out if weather makes a difference. But once I stopped adding my leave in conditioners (I tried the Kinky Curly Knot Today, Giovanni, and a few others) my hair dried much softer and less brittle. My hair doesn't seem to respond like the majority of the girls report on all of these blogs. My hair doesn't absorb butters and heavy oils the same. So the quest continues since sooooo many ladies with my "same hair type" rave about it. I have to figure out my mistakes or the way that works right for me.

Any time I put conditioner on my hair, I make sure it is very warm, or I sit under a steamer or dryer. If I add water to a mixture, I always add filtered water. To heat my conditioner, I sit the bottle of conditioner in a cup of really hot or boiling water (I do not microwave the conditioner...never do that. It may change the structure of the ingredients). My hair soaks up the conditioner and feels very soft and amazing. The baking soda helps to lift my hair cuticles to allow it to absorb more of the goodies (conditioner ingredients) on my hair. I do not use baking soda every week, especially since I clarify with Rhassoul clay. But there are times where I may use it a few times a month, especially if I have heavy amounts of product or I have not been able to co-wash or cleanse in over 5 days. I do not over do it or add too much (usually a tablespoon to 6 oz of conditioner), but it works for me. I am not endorsing or telling anyone to go out and do what I am doing. I am sharing this information, for educational purposes, to hopefully help add to your own personal journey and help you put the pieces together for your own hair puzzle. I know if it were not for the many youtube videos, blog posts and comments to the posts, I would have never learned what I know now the way I did. So hopefully this post helps someone else out.

Have Integrity and Maintain It

Have integrity and maintain it. Having it and letting it go is worse than never having it at all. -@idealprmedia

HAUTE LOOK! Mix UP Your Prints in 2016 (The IDEAL Magazine) #FashionFriday

HAUTE LOOK! #FashionFriday

In 2016 try something new! Consider paring different prints with the same solid base background color. In this set we chose a nude base with black accents.

When mixing multiple prints, the need for a lot of accessories, such as jewelry disappears! A solid color shoe and a simple clutch are the only accessories needed with this look. Add a statement hat for an extra level of pizzaz.