Eye of Horus is a cruelty-free, healthy beauty brand from Australia’s Byron Bay: entrepreneur Holly Schleich founded the company in 2011 after noting a need for high-performance makeup that embraced natural ingredients as well as sensitive skin and eyes. We've felt this need acutely, so we were thrilled to learn about these amazing products from one of our longtime customers.

And what has impressed us—and many of you—so profoundly about all the products we’ve tried from the line over the past few years has been their jaw-dropping performance, which comes without any irritation on the side. It’s particularly true of the eye makeup, which is usually the trickiest to get right. But Eye of Horus’s mascara never smudges or budges; their eye pencils are almost impossibly soft, yet the rich colors stay put all day; their liquid liner, which applies like magic and doesn’t run, is the stuff of dreams.

All of it, though: really, wow. So Dara was thrilled to have the chance to catch up with Holly herself to get the full story behind this beautiful brand. Read all about it below.

Dara: We know that you founded Eye of Horus in 2011 after noting a need for high-performance makeup that embraces natural ingredients (as well as sensitive skin and eyes). Can you tell us about your background and what led you to launch this business?

HOLLY: My background is quite diverse, actually, haha! I studied Business and Marketing, as well as Naturopathy, and before launching EOH (Eye of Horus), I worked in Talent Management within the TV and film industry.

The idea for EOH came from a very personal need. I have very sensitive eyes and sensitive skin and at the time I couldn't find makeup that delivered the performance I wanted without irritation. At the time, there seemed to be a choice between products that performed well but contained ingredients we weren't comfortable with, or natural products that didn't quite deliver the results we were looking for.

What started as a single mascara in 2011 quickly resonated with women who were looking for products that were easy to use, high performing  and suitable for sensitive eyes and skin. 

Over the years, EOH has grown into a full beauty collection, but that original philosophy remains exactly the same today. Everything we create is designed with purpose. We want products that make women feel confident, simplify their routines, and perform beautifully in everyday life.

Dara: I understand your mother works with you on Eye of Horus. We don’t hear about mother-daughter teams very often! Can you tell us more about your partnership?

HOLLY: My mum, Heather, is my business partner, and she is a powerhouse; I have honestly learnt so much from her. Before EOH, she created a successful skincare business, so beauty and entrepreneurship have always been part of our family story. We each bring very different strengths to the table, which has been one of the keys to our success.

I'm often focused on brand, product development, marketing, and the bigger vision, while Mum has always had an incredible instinct for relationships and business operations.

Of course, working with family comes with its challenges, but it also comes with an enormous amount of trust and shared purpose. We care deeply about each other and about the business we've built together.

One of the things I'm most proud of is that EOH has remained family owned and female-led from day one. Every decision we make is deeply personal because this isn't just a business to us,  it's part of our family's story.

Dara: What has impressed me so profoundly about everything I’ve tried from Eye of Horus is the products’ jaw-dropping performance, which comes without any irritation on the side. What is your secret to creating these products?

HOLLY: Thank you, that means so much to hear that feedback.

At EOH, performance has always been our starting point. We never wanted to create products simply because they were natural or clean. We wanted to create products that people genuinely loved using and couldn't imagine replacing.

Because sensitive eyes and skin have been part of our own experience, we approach formulation from a very personal perspective. We spend years refining products, working closely with specialist manufacturers, testing extensively and ensuring every formula meets our standards before it reaches customers. We're also very intentional about what we choose not to include.

For us, it's about finding the balance between performance, comfort, wearability, and skin compatibility. We want customers to put on a product in the morning and not think about it again all day. That combination of performance and consideration sits at the heart of everything we do.

Dara: Your company is headquartered in a pretty magical place (Byron Bay). Tell us more about what its culture is like and how that impacts the business you’ve built and the life you live.

HOLLY: Byron Bay has absolutely shaped EOH and the way we approach beauty.

There's a strong connection here to nature, wellbeing, creativity, and conscious living. People are incredibly passionate about sustainability, quality ingredients, supporting local businesses, and living intentionally. That environment naturally influences how we approach beauty.

We believe beauty should enhance your life, not complicate it. It should feel effortless, enjoyable, and aligned with your values.

Living in Byron has also taught us the importance of slowing down and focusing on what truly matters. While the beauty industry can often feel fast-paced and trend-driven, we've always preferred to take a more thoughtful approach.

Many of our best ideas come from being immersed in nature, spending time with family, and creating products that fit into daily rituals rather than chasing every new trend.

Dara: You’ve been fighting breast cancer since the spring of 2022 and have shared this part of your story in such a beautiful, inspiring, and authentic way. We’d love to hear any part of this story you’d like to share with our community.

HOLLY: In 2022, shortly after finishing breastfeeding my youngest son, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38 years old. Like many people who hear those words, my world changed overnight.

What followed was a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, multiple surgeries and a journey that tested me in every possible way. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the greatest gifts to come from that experience was perspective.

Cancer has a way of stripping everything back and reminding you what truly matters. It taught me to slow down, to be present, to appreciate ordinary moments and to stop waiting for someday.

Today, I try to live with far more intention. I focus on time with my family, meaningful work, my health, and finding joy in everyday moments.

Throughout my journey, I chose to share openly because I wanted other women to know they weren't alone. The response from our community has been amazing and has shown me just how powerful connection can be.

While cancer is part of my story, it isn't the whole story.

At its heart, my journey is really about resilience, hope, gratitude, and choosing to keep moving forward, even when life doesn't unfold the way you expected.

My experience has also reinforced why purpose matters so much to me. It's shaped how we lead EOH, the causes we support, and our commitment to creating products that genuinely make people feel good.

For us, beauty has never just been about how you look; it's about how you feel, how you live, and the impact you leave behind.

That's ultimately what "Beauty with Purpose" means to me.

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It's a genuine honor to carry this brand on our shelves. Check out the Eye of Horus collection here. And if you’d like to see our makeup pro, Melissa, show us how to use them, check out her fantastic eye tutorial here: she shows us how to use both eyeliners (which are standouts) and offers tricks for hooded lids, too. If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to scoop everything up immediately so that you can recreate these polished yet natural, thoroughly modern looks.

After watching, you'll probably also want to book a lesson with one of our makeup pros yourself, either in person or virtually, which you can do right here.