After her confidence went viral, Lisa Grain talks about living ‘authentically and unapologetically’ after 60

After a street interview with content creator David Carmi of the web site appeared online in February 2024 A leap of trust, people couldn’t help but admire renaissance woman Lisa Grain. Her self-confidence suggestions and the insights she shared about how self-belief has allowed her to remain young (and gorgeous, baby!) had everyone saying they desired to be identical to Grain after they grew up. But she will not be a stranger to the audience, neither is she a stranger to those in her network. After a successful profession in orthodontics and providing patients with self-confidence (through a flawless smile), the 60-year-old uses the confidence she has in herself to embark on a totally different path.

Since childhood, Grain had a passion for hair care and followed family traditions focused on protecting healthy and natural black hair. You see her locks! With the chance to learn more about the industry after retiring from a successful profession as an orthodontist, he’s embarking on a brand new enterprise called French Barrelettes. This revolutionary line of hair care products focuses on revolutionizing the way in which you care to your hair, combining modern technology with the classic elegance of vintage wet hair rollers.

We recently caught up with the medical specialist turned hair care entrepreneur to learn more about her, her hopes for her latest business, and what it takes to be at the best levels of self-confidence.

ESSENCE: At what point in your life did you realize that self-confidence is a key ingredient to a satisfying life?

Lisa Grain: Trust has at all times been the cornerstone of my journey. I’m a retired orthodontist who creates and rebuilds smiles. So I’ve seen first-hand how self-confidence can change lives, whether it’s through the radiant smile of one in every of my patients who had previously had an oral problem, or from someone who has experienced bullying and gained a brand new sense of self-confidence. I believe self-confidence is vital.

I used to be a extremely small, petite and shy girl. But I believe the ability of confidence really hit me during my first week of dental school, when this beautiful, statuesque woman in an exquisite suit and high heels walked through the auditorium. She crossed the hall and stood at the rostrum. You could hear her high heels on the ground. She has already attracted attention within the room. When she took the rostrum, she introduced herself as Dr. Vivian Pinn, chair of the Department of Pathology at Howard University College of Medicine. It was transformative for me. Only then did I actually understand the ability of self-confidence. It’s not only about the way you present yourself to the world. It’s really about accepting your uniqueness, not apologizing for who you might be, and owning it with grace.

What do you’re thinking that about your short conversation with Confidence Heist going viral?

It was completely unexpected, but incredibly uplifting. I believe Confidence Heist resonated with many individuals since it touched on the universal truth that self-confidence will not be something we’re born with. It’s something you cultivate through self-love, resilience, and experience. It really does get well with age. The proven fact that it went viral because we had an open, honest conversation about self-esteem, empowerment, and acceptance of ourselves and one another continues to be shocking.

But interestingly, I used to be really comfortable to see that I resonated with younger people and that they valued the experiences of older women. They were curious about my trials and tribulations, successes and failures, and every part in between. They were very kind and gave me grace. There were no negative comments. I would like them to present themselves the grace they gave me.

What advice do you’ve for younger ladies about aging?

I might say for ladies younger and older, embrace it. Accept it without fear. You know, getting older is really a privilege that many individuals are denied. We are lucky as annually passes. It comes with wisdom, strength and a deeper appreciation of the fantastic thing about life. We may have many battle scars of life. No one can escape them, no matter whether or not they are mental or physical scars. I call mine Lisa’s beauty marks.

I even have learned to just accept all of them and recognize them as scars of survival, triumph and victory, and a life truly well lived. So you’ll be able to’t let society’s narrow standards dictate your value or suppress your spirit. You must tell yourself, good job developing your individual beauty marks.

Tell us more about your latest enterprise, French Barrelettes, and what inspired you to enter the hair care industry.

It’s truly a labor of affection. It was type of born out of nostalgia for the traditions of my family growing up. And then the need to innovate. As a toddler, I spent Sunday evenings within the family hairdressing salon, which was my mother’s bedroom. She worked her magic using classic hair rollers. There was no such thing as, , a straightener and a blow dryer. That’s all we had for natural hair. My mother washed, combed and then fixed my hair with rollers.

Memories of those moments inspired me to create a contemporary approach to traditional wet hair rollers. The combination of rollers with cutting-edge technology is really the last word goal for hair health. We natural girls attempt to get away from perms and rest. Honoring tradition and bringing wet sets to contemporary style, French Barrettes are like jewelry to your hair.

Did this enterprise and passion project come to you after your profession in orthodontics?

It was boiling inside. I imagine all of us have the privilege of viewing our lives in stages and nothing lasts eternally, good or bad. You get repetitions and a second likelihood. Although orthodontics was a superb space and time in my life, it allowed me to mix medicine and art on this latest chapter. It fuels my creativity and lifelong passion for beauty and style. I treat it as a sworn statement to the ability of discovering latest solutions and the idea that it is rarely too late.

What is a standard myth circulating in society about older women, and how are you using your influence to vary it?

One of the common myths is that aging diminishes a lady’s importance, beauty and style. I see this as a possibility to redefine aging on our own terms and to have a good time the wisdom, resilience and authenticity that comes with it. I believe with my platform I’ll really attempt to challenge these stereotypes and show the energy and vitality of ladies of all ages.

What does this next chapter in your 60s mean for you?

So I believe after 60 it marks a time of freedom – a type of celebration of not holding back. I would like to live authentically and freely and let God use me. That’s how I attempt to approach life. We are all complex people. Sometimes confidence doesn’t equal the doubts we feel. I believe that in my 60s it gives me a likelihood to completely accept who I’m and forge my very own path.