Here in Nehalem, we’re surrounded by a special kind of beauty. It’s in the mist rising off the river, the salt-kissed air from the bay, and the deep green of the old-growth forests. It’s a beauty that doesn’t just exist around us—it invites us to be a part of it. That’s the true spirit of a natural beauty spa: not an escape from our environment, but a deeper connection to it, using the pure, potent gifts of the Pacific Northwest to nurture our own well-being.
For us locals, a natural beauty routine is as much about sourcing as it is about sensation. Think about the ingredients you can find right in your backyard or at the Nehalem Bay Farmers Market. Local raw honey is a miraculous humectant for a soothing face mask. Crushed oats from nearby fields can calm sensitive skin. Sea salt from our coast makes for an invigorating body scrub that echoes a walk on the windy beach. The first practical tip? Look at your kitchen and your landscape with new eyes. What you have on hand is often the perfect start to a spa moment.
But a natural beauty spa is more than DIY mixes; it’s a mindful practice. It’s about slowing down to the pace of the Nehalem River. After a day of hiking the nearby trails or kayaking the bay, your body deserves care. Draw a warm bath and add a few drops of locally crafted Douglas fir or cedar essential oil—the scent alone will ground you. Massage tired feet with a salve made with Oregon-grown lavender. This isn’t luxury; it’s essential maintenance for the active, weather-exposed life we lead here.
To bring this philosophy home, start simple. Dedicate just 20 minutes on a quiet Sunday morning. Steam your face with a bowl of hot water and a sprig of rosemary. Follow with a gentle moisturizer. While it sinks in, sip a cup of herbal tea from a local apothecary and simply look out the window. That integration—of local botanicals, intentional ritual, and appreciation for our stunning surroundings—is the heart of the experience.
So, whether you’re a lifelong resident or finding respite here for a week, let Nehalem’s natural abundance be your guide. Visit our markets, talk to our artisans, and let the landscape inspire your self-care. True beauty, after all, is about harmony. And in a place as special as this, achieving that harmony feels like the most natural thing in the world.