How Erin Lichy of HOMEGIRL Balances Sleep, Self-Care & Motherhood

What’s the greatest lesson your own mother taught you about wellness or beauty?

She taught me that less is more. She never put on foundation and always left the house with some concealer blush and mascara. It always stuck with me that over using makeup can sometimes have the opposite effect. She’s also super health conscious and always said you are what you eat. Often people don’t realize how much what you consume shows up on the outside.

Do you have any nightly habits or rituals now that were inspired by your mom?

My mother wears a silk nightgown religiously. I’m not sure she can physically fall asleep without one. I’ve become a silk pajama set addict which I never realized was something I likely picked up from her until now!

How did becoming a mother affect your wellness and beauty habits?

When you become a mother, you realize how incredibly important sleep is. I’m one of those people that needs between 8-9 hours a night or I’m not operating optimally. I run two businesses and have three kids so I’m not always the best about making sure I get enough sleep, but if I don’t, I’ll make sure the following night to get between 9-10 hours. I’ve also become really conscious of what food I keep in my house. I’ve noticed that if the kinds of fruits and veggies my kids enjoy are readily available they go for it, as do the adults!

With so much going on the only way I actually end up taking care of myself and everyone else is by staying consistent. For example, every morning when I wake up I drink a large glass of warm water with lemon followed by celery juice 10 minutes later. Once I have those two drinks on an empty stomach I allow myself coffee and whatever else I choose to consume that day. For me, it’s about consistency so that it just morphs into habit.

What do you want for Mother’s Day? What will you be giving?

I’m definitely a romantic and love an intimate dinner. It’s always so nice when my husband takes the lead on those plans. Would love something with #3’s initials (or this Bottega Veneta bag I’ve been eyeing hah). Hopefully Abe reads this! For my sister in laws, I’ll probably get a body scrub, my aunt loves candles, my grandma wants a blender (she just turned 92 and lost her hearing so there’s a high probability this blender will never be turned off), and my mother in law just moved to Florida so something beachy!

RAPID FIRE ROUND:

Do you have a bedtime ritual?

I do. I wash my face and then use oil. I’m really into Vintner’s Daughter face oil right now. I love to have tea and read a little in bed before sleeping, but I find myself on my laptop many nights working late after my kids go to bed.

What do you wear to bed?

Morgan Lane!

What is on your bedside table?

Huge glass of water with lemon, my eye mask, 3 books I’m rotating between and Arch Digest.

Do you have any recurring dreams?

I do! I have one that’s been the same for years and it’s freaky. I’m driving on some bridge from one borough to the other and it’s really winding and complex, almost like a video game, and I need to drive really carefully to get across.

Are you reading or watching anything good at the moment?

I read probably every single one of Colleen Hoover’s books recently over vacation. Great easy beach reads but if I could recommend just one it would be Verity. I also just read “How to do The Work,” by Dr. Nicole LePera which I found to be informative and inspiring. It’s largely about resetting thought patterns and destructive behaviors, and connecting the mind with the body, which are good concepts to reflect on at night.

Which scent makes you think of bedtime?

Lavender and linen.

What are some nighttime items you cannot live without?

My Lunya sleep mask.

What is your guilty pleasure?!

Red Wine and Housewives.

How do you engage in self-care?

I love to exercise. I mainly workout with my trainer David Nso and take SLT classes. I also always have my nails done which oddly enough invites an unparalleled sense of order into my life.

What do you consider the single most important thing for a good night’s sleep?

My eye mask, a silk pillow case and mushie pillow. I literally will have an infinitely better night’s sleep with those 3 things.

Did you have a bedtime routine growing up?

Always. Dinner, bath, books, then in bed I said what I was grateful for. I do the exact same thing with my kids.

What was your favourite childhood bedtime story?

I used to love Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are and The Giving Tree.

What is your skincare and beauty routine like? Do you have any holy grail products?

I never was good at buying the right makeup until my girlfriend got me into Ilia. She was like this is such a “you” brand, as someone who likes the natural look but also really cares about using clean products. I am obsessed. After moisturizing I put on their Super Serum Skin Tint, Ilia concealer, Charlotte Tilbury setting powder, Ilia creamy eye shadow, and use their blush brush stick. I also love Trish McEvoy mascara I just discovered from my cousin.

How would you choose to spend one hour of free time?

IN SILENCE. Or shopping.

If you could choose a song to wake up to every morning, what would it be?

That’s tough. I love music and mixing it up but probably good morning by The Beatles.