BLACK CHICKEN REMEDIES

The legend of Black Chicken goes, is that she was an ancient crone, renowned for her healing powers and ability to transform her appearance at will.

For centuries people flocked to her with their problems and ailments, but only those with good hearts were admitted. Those who had forgotten how to trust sought her help in vain.

They came for comfort, salves, oils and herbs, for creams and cures and for each story, she had the perfect solution.

Black Chicken was the stuff of legends, but for one Australian entrepreneur, there's no myth surrounding her batch of remedies...

Black Chicken Remedies founder Chey Birch is on a mission to help everyone look and feel beautiful this summer with her collection of natural skincare products with 100% essential oils, providing the ultimate boost for dry and dehydrated skin.

“During winter, a cocktail of factors such as cold temperatures juxtaposed against hot showers, slower metabolisms and less natural oil production in the body, often leaves people with dry irritable skin however Black Chicken Remedies can help fix all of that,” she said.

Crammed full of 100% natural goodness and no chemical nasties such as the parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals, found in 90% of products, the products work essentially like super food for your skin.

“After months of hiding our skin away in the cooler weather, it’s time to show our bodies and faces some love and get primed for summer,” says Chey.

Black Chicken Remedies is a home-grown, natural skincare company that has already achieved international
acclaim for its Love Your Body Oil.

Black Chicken Remedies founder Chey Birch at Bondi Beach, Australia

Chey has been inspired by the medicine men of traditional communities who used nature as their pharmacy and extracted the healing properties of plants. Her products follow this ancient tradition, bringing the therapeutic power of nature to health and environmentally conscious consumers.

“Everyday, we are all exposed to environmental factors, chemicals and pollutants that take their toll on our
bodies,” says Chey.

“The skin is the largest organ in the body and everything we put on it is absorbed into our
system – the more natural we can make our skincare, the more our bodies will thank us.”

“All Black Chicken Remedies are based on the guiding principle that if you love your skin, it will love you back.”

Here are my reviews of a selection of the products;

Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Body Oil:
RRP £45.

 This multi-benefit body oil (for both men and women!) boasts ingredients such as; avocado oil for moisturising dry, mature and climate damaged skin, rosehip oil for tissue regeneration in treating burns, scars and stretch marks and hazelnut oil for stimulating the circulatory system and helping to tone and tighten the skin.
Other lovely ingredients include vitamin E oil, coconut oil, sandalwood, geranium bourbon, patchouli, lavender, carrot, ylang ylang and nutmeg essential oils.

The first thing that hits you when applying this oil is a calming blast of sandalwood and patchouli. The smell is very aromatic and heavenly.

I applied this straight after a bath and found it not to be as greasy as some other body oils. I suffer with very dry patches of skin and it seemed to even soften these when no other non medicinal lotion or potion has managed. I ve been very gym sore the past couple of days and the soothing properties of the oil coupled with the scent help to ease some of this, giving me a restful nights sleep, which has been a rarity lately. 

I absolutely love this oil and give it ten out of ten.

Black Chicken Remedies Special Edition BALM Of Ages All Purpose Remedy:

RRP £29

Remember when your granny had a homemade remedy she swore would cure everything? This balm claims that also.

I was somewhat dubious about the claims to help conditions such as eczema and psoriasis (I suffer with both) as nothing apart from prescription steriod cream has seemed to shift them but I'm willing to give an alternative a try, especially when it's natural.

 The balm is packed with 19 natural ingredients that are designed to help the skin, hair and scalp in many different ways.

These include mandarin for stretch marks and acne scarring, calendula for eczema, psoriasis, wounds and bruises, jojoba oil for scalp treatment and frankincense for healing cuts, grazes, infected skin and scars.

So far I've used this as a lip balm and its left my usually dry lips super conditioned for hours after. 

I also put it on a cat scratch on my hand that's been quite itchy and it calmed the area right down.

I can't comment on what it does for other conditions yet as I'm not suffering with an episode of my dry skin ailments but it will be interesting to see if it helps, but I'm impressed so far. Watch this space.

For more information on Black Chicken Remedies, to shop online and for a list of  UK stockists, visit www.blackchickenremedies.com

You can shop at Scottish stockist Peltoniemi in Aberdeen, by calling 01224 211 851 or popping into the store at; 8 Chattan Place, Aberdeen, AB10 6RD

visit their Facebook by clicking here

Follow Black Chicken Remedies on Facebook and Twitter here: Facebook  Twitter

REVIEW: Aura by Swarovski

Marilyn was convinced they were a girl's best friend, while Shirley swore they were forever, and now,  Swarovski have proven nothing does indeed shine brighter than diamonds.

The lovely people at Clarins have sent me the specialists in crystal jewellery's debut fragrance,  Aura by Swarovski gift set, which comes with a complimentary lip gloss.  Upon opening it, you really do get a sense that this is something incredibly special.

As well as a gorgeous soft pink bag (which you can reuse as a little clutch or make-up bag), the lip gloss comes in a lovely metallic compact with the signature Swarovski crystals, but it was the bottle of perfume that stole the show.

It's an unusual design, but very striking and classy, topped with more signature Swarovski.

Anyone who gets a bottle of Aura is in for a treat.  In my personal opinion, this has got to be one of the best fragrances I have tried in a long time.  It wasn't overpowering but lasted well, lingering for a long time on my skin.

I would describe the scent as sensual and musky.  For me, it would be a perfume I would use for going out and about or for a special occasion.

A popular choice for all ages, this is a classic and rather sexy scent.

Here's what the experts say;

A luminous fragrance that surrounds every woman’s beauty in a dazzling, unique aura.
 
Aura by Swarovski - the first Swarovski fragrance - allies contemporary fragrance of exceptional quality with the extraordinary raw materials that are the hallmark of France’s long tradition of fine fragrances. It is an incandescent, fruity, floral creation.

At the heart of the fragrance is a prism of energy, a fusion of amber, benzoin, and white musk.

Three pure and noble olfactory vibrations become charged with energy, transforming into more intense, luminous rays of clear light.

A fruity ray – juicy lychee
A floral ray – pure white tuberose
A spicy ray – subtly vibrant pink pepper

The perfumers: Jean-Pierre Bethouart and Olivier Cresp (Firmenich)

Through crystal Swarovski creates an AURA of Light…Aura by Swarovski: a luminescent fragrance.

The starting point: the crystal, cut and faceted with Swarovski’s exclusive know-how, captures light, diffracts it and sheds it in a thousand and one luminous vibrations. The signature scent of Aura by Swarovski is directly inspired by this magic.

At the heart of the fragrance is a prism of energy, a fusion of amber, benzoin, and white musk. Three pure and noble olfactory vibrations become charged with energy, transforming into more intense, luminous rays of clear light.

The recommended retail price of this lovely set is £59 available from the usual suspects on the high street and online. To read more about this lovely range, CLICK HERE