Beauty has always been part of Holly Schleich's world. As the founder of Eye of Horus, she's spent 15 years building a brand around making women feel good in their own skin. But her own relationship with beauty, and life itself, has changed in ways she never imagined.
Holly opens up about living with stage 4 breast cancer, the perspective it's given her and why she's determined to make the most of the life happening right now.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.
I'm Holly, a mum of two beautiful boys, Banks and Lenni, wife to Jay, and the founder of Eye of Horus (EOH) an independent Australian beauty brand born in Byron Bay.
I started EOH 15 years ago with a genuine love for beauty, wellness and creating products that make women feel good in their own skin. What began as a small idea has grown into a beautiful community and a business that I'm incredibly proud of.
I've always been drawn to a more holistic way of living. I studied naturopathy, have a deep appreciation for nature and believe that beauty and wellbeing are intrinsically connected.
These days, life is a balance of running a business, raising our boys, navigating my health and making as much time as possible for the things we love which includes travelling, being outdoors, in the ocean, exploring and spending time together as a family.
2. How has your relationship with your skin evolved over the years? And what's your number one skin tip?
My relationship with my skin has definitely evolved over the years. When I was younger, I was probably more focused on how my skin looked, whereas now I'm much more interested in how healthy it feels.
Going through chemotherapy, radiation and medically induced menopause has completely changed my skin. I've had to learn to listen to what it needs and be much gentler with it.
I've become a big believer in nourishing rather than stripping the skin and I love simple rituals that support the skin barrier and bring back hydration and radiance.
My number one skin tip would be to nourish your skin from the inside out. Hydration, good nutrition, quality skincare and protecting your skin from the sun are so important (which is why I love the IMBIBE range) And most importantly, learn to love the skin you're in. It's carried you through so much.
3. How has your idea of beauty changed over the years, and more recently?
Beauty has taken on a completely different meaning for me as I've grown older, and especially through my cancer journey. I think when we're younger, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of perfection. But these days, I see beauty in authenticity, confidence, kindness and the way someone carries themselves.
Losing my hair, going through a double mastectomy and experiencing the physical changes that come with treatment really challenged my relationship with femininity and identity.
It taught me that beauty isn't something we lose when our appearance changes. It's so much deeper than that. I still absolutely love makeup and the ritual of getting ready. Sometimes something as simple as putting on a little bronzer or lip colour can make you feel like yourself again.
That's really the philosophy behind EOH Beauty, its Beauty, Made for Living. Beauty should complement our lives, not define them.
4. How has living with stage 4 breast cancer changed the way you see your life and your work?
Being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer has changed my perspective on life.
I was first diagnosed in 2022, and after going through treatment and rebuilding my life, finding out the cancer had returned in 2025 was incredibly confronting.
There's no denying that living with cancer brings uncertainty, but it has also given me an even deeper appreciation for the present moment. I've always been adventurous and loved travelling, but now I feel an even greater pull to make memories, explore new places and experience life with my family.
It's also changed how I approach work. I still have so much passion for Eye of Horus and everything we've built, but I'm learning that success isn't just about growth or achievements. It's about creating something meaningful while still having the freedom to live a beautiful life outside of work. I'm much more conscious of where I put my energy, who I spend my time with and what genuinely brings me joy.
More than anything, I don't want cancer to become my whole story. It's part of my life, but it doesn't define who I am or how I choose to live.
5. What have you learned about yourself that you didn't know before?
I've learned that I'm far more resilient than I ever imagined. When you're faced with something as confronting as cancer, you discover parts of yourself you didn't know existed.
I've also learned that strength doesn't always mean being positive or holding everything together. Sometimes it's allowing yourself to feel vulnerable, asking for help or simply getting through a difficult day.
I've always been someone who likes to plan, create and look ahead, but this experience has taught me to surrender a little more and become comfortable with not having all the answers.
I've realised just how much joy there is in the simplest things. A morning swim, watching my boys surf, a beautiful conversation with a friend or just being home with my family.
6. Who or what holds you up when things are hard?
Without question, my family.
My husband Jay has been my rock through everything. We've shared so many adventures together, but we've also navigated some incredibly challenging moments.
My two boys, Banks and Lenni, bring so much light, laughter and perspective into my world. Children have this beautiful ability to pull you straight back into the present moment.
I'm also incredibly lucky to have my family and a close circle of beautiful friends who have supported me through every stage of this journey.
And nature. The ocean has always been my happy place. There's something about being in the water, feeling the sunshine and being surrounded by nature that instantly grounds me.
7. Is there a small daily ritual that grounds you?
I've always loved my morning rituals.
I try to start my day slowly, with a little time for myself before the busyness of family and work begins. I love making a fresh green juice, taking my supplements, nourishing my skin and getting outside into the morning sunshine.
Movement is also really important to me, whether that's a walk, some gentle exercise or a swim in the ocean. I genuinely believe that the small things we do consistently can have such a positive impact on how we feel.
I've come to appreciate that these rituals aren't about having a perfect routine. They're about creating little moments of calm and connection with yourself.
8. What does looking after yourself look like now?
Looking after myself has become much more intentional.
It's about nourishing my body, supporting my health and creating an environment where I can feel my best, physically and emotionally. I've always been passionate about natural health and wellness, but my cancer journey has deepened that connection.
I prioritise whole foods, movement, rest, time outdoors and the practices that help me feel grounded and energised, alongside my ongoing medical treatment.
Self care also means knowing when to slow down, saying no when I need to and giving myself permission to rest without feeling guilty. And just as importantly, it's about enjoying life.
9. What is on the horizon for 2027 and Eye of Horus?
After celebrating 15 years of Eye of Horus, I'm feeling really inspired by the next chapter.
We've been evolving the brand with a renewed focus on what has always been at its heart, which is creating beautiful, considered products that fit effortlessly into women's everyday lives.
Our philosophy, Beauty, Made for Living, really captures where we're heading. We're embracing a more refined, effortless approach to beauty, with versatile products, beautiful textures and a strong connection to our Byron Bay roots.
I'm particularly excited about some of the new products we're developing and the opportunity to share more of the people, stories and lifestyle behind the brand.
Personally, I'm also looking forward to creating more space for family, travel and the experiences that matter most. I feel incredibly grateful for what we've built over the past 15 years, and I'm excited to see how the next chapter unfolds.
10. What would you want another woman to take from your story?
That life is incredibly precious and we shouldn't wait for something difficult to happen before we start truly living it.
None of us knows exactly what the future holds and I think there's something really powerful in learning to embrace the present rather than constantly waiting for the next milestone.
I'd also want women to know that they're stronger than they think, and that it's okay to be both strong and vulnerable. You can face incredibly difficult things and still find joy, beauty, adventure and meaning in your life.
And most importantly, don't lose sight of yourself in the process of caring for everyone else.
Make time for the things that light you up, surround yourself with people who love you, look after your health and don't put your dreams on hold.
Life is happening right now. Make it beautiful.
