Cannabis Esthetics: The Return of Plant Power in Modern Skincare

For years, beauty has been evolving shifting from surface results to skin wellness, from products that only mask to treatments that heal. And now, the reintroduction is here: Cannabis Esthetics™ a movement that reconnects skincare to the intelligence of the plant in ways you’ve never experienced before.

But before we get to where we’re going, let me tell you where this all began.

From Bend to the Beginning of a Movement

Ten years ago, I built a thriving esthetics business in Bend, Oregon surrounded by mountains, beauty, and an incredible community. Straight out of Esthetics School at Sage School of Massage & Esthetics sadly now closed. My work was rooted in results, connection, and helping people feel good in their own skin.

But I’ve always been curious. I’ve always wanted more not just more success, but more depth, more purpose, more truth in beauty.

That curiosity led me to explore something that very few people were touching at the time: the use of cannabis in skincare. I saw its anti-inflammatory power, its ability to calm redness, stress, and energy in the skin. I knew this was the future of esthetics.

So, I launched Cannabis Esthetics™ the first hemp beauty spa experience of its kind long before the industry caught up in 2016 shortly after legalization in Oregon. After working with various cannabis companies as a Graphic Designer for packaging and gathering people for events in the cannabis community in Oregon. I wanted to create a space for women to be free in their bodies to feel beautiful and indulge in a judgment free space to relax.

Why Cannabis Esthetics Had To Change From Our Main Identity

When I started Cannabis Esthetics, the world wasn’t ready. Regulations were unclear, and even though hemp-based skincare was safe and legal, banking never caught up with the industry. Many people asked if the lashes would get them high, or if the facial would affect their driving after the service… Education and what people understood was such a large gap to fill.

Running as a “cannabis business” meant facing endless payment issues, licensing confusion, and marketing restrictions. It became nearly impossible to operate freely or process transactions even though everything we were doing was holistic, plant-based, and completely compliant.

I was ahead of my time and while that came with pride, it also came with challenges.

That’s why Cannabis Esthetics wasn’t our main identity then. The industry needed time to evolve and now, it finally has.

My Journey Through the Industry

When I left Bend, I tried to relaunch Cannabis Esthetics in Portland, but the timing still wasn’t right. Just as I was finding my footing, an unexpected door opened: I was recruited by Salon Services to become a brand representative for some of the top professional skincare lines in the world Dermalogica, HydroPeptide, and Comfort Zone.

What started as a career pivot quickly became a masterclass in business, branding, and education. It was truly a dream to be able to transition from being an owner to becoming a partner to these businesses.

I climbed the corporate ladder, eventually being relocated to Seattle to manage a large territory across Washington. My days were spent driving from spa to spa, visiting up to 12 locations a day, working with estheticians, owners, and teams.

I wasn’t just selling products I was training, consulting, and transforming their service menus. I helped spas weave these brands into their own identity, teaching them how to elevate treatments and grow their businesses.

It was meaningful work, but I realized something profound:

I was giving my expertise away and it was time to start building my dream again.

Coming Home to My Own Craft

After years of helping others build, I wanted to return to the heart of why I became an esthetician in the first place to heal people through my work.

Now, I’m back in the treatment room.

I have a beautiful new space in Seattle, an incredible support system of friends and colleagues, and the freedom to create experiences that truly serve my clients.

This is where Cannabis Esthetics™ returns not as an idea ahead of its time, but as a movement ready to bloom.

Why Cannabis in Skincare?

Cannabis especially CBD, hemp seed oil, and terpenes has become a powerhouse ingredient in modern skincare. Its ability to calm inflammation, restore balance, and support barrier function makes it essential for today’s skin concerns.

We now understand what I saw years ago:

Inflammation is the root cause of most visible skin issues redness, acne, premature aging, and even stress-related breakouts.

CBD and hemp extracts are proven to:

* Reduce inflammation and irritation

* Rebalance oil production

* Support barrier repair and hydration

* Deliver antioxidant protection

* Help the skin return to balance its natural, healthy rhythm

The Aromatherapy Power of Terpenes

Beyond CBD lies one of my favorite parts of the cannabis plant: terpenes.

These are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its scent, and they work synergistically with the body and mind.

Linalool (lavender): calming, anti-anxiety, skin-soothing

Limonene (citrus): uplifting, brightening, clarifying

Myrcene (earthy): deeply relaxing, anti-inflammatory

Pinene (piney): energizing, refreshing, grounding

At Lash & Groom, I infuse these terpene profiles into our Cannabis Esthetics Treatments creating a full-body sensory experience. Every service becomes an energetic reset for your skin, your mood, and your nervous system. Each strain is a fingerprint of a special recipe of essential oils that make up that certain terpene profile, therefore the benefits from essential oils are same reason why cannabis works so well for our bodies. It’s ancient medicine, repacked into a beautiful flower that is very misunderstood.

The Cannabis Esthetics™ Suite at Lash & Groom

Our new suite of services brings together luxury esthetics and holistic science. Each treatment is designed to calm inflammation, restore balance, and reconnect you to your skin.

The CBD Renewal Facial

A restorative treatment for sensitive or inflamed skin using full-spectrum hemp and cooling botanicals.

The Terpene Aromatherapy Session

A mood-balancing facial that merges aromatherapy and plant chemistry for emotional and epidermal healing.

The Green Goddess Glow

An anti-inflammatory ritual combining CBD, niacinamide, and lymphatic touch for deep, visible rejuvenation.

Every service is enhanced with mindful music, scent curation, and Lash & Groom’s signature aesthetic clean, modern, and intentional. To embody being high without consuming.

What Comes Next

Cannabis Esthetics™ is no longer just a brand it’s a movement.

It’s a bridge between science, ritual, and healing.

It’s a community for professionals and clients who believe that beauty can also be wellness.

After years in corporate beauty, countless trainings, and a journey that’s taken me from Bend to Portland to Seattle I know exactly who I am again.

A healer.

A creator.

And an innovator, ready to lead this next chapter with purpose.

The Return

The Cannabis Esthetics™ Suite is officially coming home to Lash & Groom Seattle.

Stay connected for the launch, educational workshops, and the next wave of wellness-driven esthetics. Certification protocols and product line coming soon, stay tuned!

Beauty as ritual. Skincare as medicine. Calm as the new glow.

Valerie Goodew, Founder of Lash & Groom & Creator of Cannabis Esthetics™