Lisa Grain has always understood the power of beauty—not just in the way it looks, but in the way it makes you feel. A former orthodontist turned beauty entrepreneur, she is the visionary behind French Barrelettes, a luxury reinvention of the classic wet-set hair rollers. But this isn’t just about hairstyling; it’s about honoring a time-honored ritual, one she first fell in love with as a child in her mother’s makeshift Sunday night salon.
For Grain, beauty has never been about chasing trends—it’s about confidence, tradition, and a little bit of glamour. With French Barrelettes, she’s bringing back the lost art of effortless, heat-free hair styling, blending old-world elegance with modern innovation. At a time when the beauty industry is obsessed with high-tech skincare, she’s setting her sights on hair, proving that luxury and function can—and should—coexist.
Now in her sixties, Grain is rewriting the narrative on reinvention, proving that passion has no expiration date. Her viral interview on confidence made waves for a reason: she embodies the kind of self-assurance that can’t be bottled or bought—it’s cultivated over a lifetime. As she prepares to launch French Barrelettes, she reflects on the beauty lessons passed down from her mother and grandmother, the ongoing conversations around black hair and beauty freedom, and why personal style should always be about feeling good, rather than seeking approval.
You’ve had a long career in orthodontics before launching a beauty brand—what made you decide to return to your childhood passion for hair?
Growing up, hair was always a special part of my life. Some of my most vivid memories are of our “Sunday night hair salon” in my mother’s bedroom, where she would set my hair with vintage hair rollers. Those moments weren’t just about styling—they were about tradition, care, and self-expression. After a fulfilling career in orthodontics and a lifelong passion for beauty, style, and creating, I found myself searching for high-quality hair rollers that could recreate that effortless, timeless look—but I kept coming up short. That’s when I realized I had the opportunity to bring something special to life, rooted in my love for hair. French Barrelettes was born from a desire to modernize a classic beauty ritual while preserving the elegance and sophistication I’ve always valued. This brand is more than just a return to my childhood passion—it’s a celebration of confidence, tradition, and the belief that reinvention is always possible.
Your brand, French Barrelettes, is deeply inspired by your mother and grandmother and Sunday Night Hair Salon traditions you made with them. Can you share more about how those moments shaped your perspective on beauty?
Some of my earliest and fondest memories are from our family’s Sunday night hair salon at home. My mother would wash, detangle, and set my hair with vintage wet-set hair rollers, teaching me the importance of hair health long before blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons became commonplace. Wet-setting naturally protected the ends of my hair, minimized daily heat exposure, and reduced breakage, making hair health an essential part of the process. But those evenings were about so much more than just styling—they were moments of bonding, tradition, and self-care. Through them, I learned not only about beauty regimens but also about confidence, self-worth, and self-love. Watching my mother and grandmother, I absorbed their impeccable style and grace, understanding that beauty transcends age and is far more than just external appearance. These intimate traditions continue to inspire my perspective on beauty today, shaping French Barrelettes as a brand that celebrates both style and substance.
“The beauty industry has made progress in celebrating diversity, but there’s still work to be done…Real progress happens when authenticity becomes the norm, not just a trend.”
Hair has always been a symbol of identity, culture, and self-expression, especially for Black women. What are your thoughts on the ongoing conversations around natural hair and beauty freedom?
At its core, beauty freedom as it relates to natural textured hair is about confidence and celebrating individuality. It’s about honoring personal expression, shattering antiquated beauty standards, and wearing one’s hair in whatever style makes one feel beautiful—whether it’s curly one day, straight the next, braided, colored, or any style that makes one’s heart sing.
Do you think the beauty industry is doing enough to celebrate authentic, individual beauty? What still needs to change?
The beauty industry has made progress in celebrating diversity, but there’s still work to be done. While brands are embracing different skin tones, skin differences such as vitiligo and acne, body types, and natural beauty, unrealistic standards still persist through filters, limited shade ranges, and age exclusivity. To improve, brands should use images that have no been retouched, expand product inclusivity, and focus on beauty as self-expression rather than perfection. Real progress happens when authenticity becomes the norm, not just a trend.
Your Confidence Heist interview went viral—why do you think your perspective on confidence resonated with so many people?
I think people connected with what I said because it was real—confidence isn’t about how you look or what you wear, it’s about how you feel about yourself. I’ve been on this earth a long time, and with that comes a sense of assurance that only experience can give you. When you stop chasing perfection and just own who you are, that’s when real confidence shines through. I think that message resonated because it’s simple: be happy with yourself, trust that things will fall into place, and know that confidence isn’t something you put on—it’s something that grows with you.
You’ve been recognized as a style icon at the Met Gala and beyond. What does confidence in personal style mean to you, and how has your relationship with beauty evolved over the years?
Confidence in personal style comes from knowing yourself and dressing for you—not for anyone else. I wear what makes me feel good, and that’s what gives an outfit its style. When you’re comfortable in your own skin, it naturally shows. Over the years, my approach to beauty has simplified. When I was younger, I focused more on the external—what I wore, how I looked—but now I understand it’s about how you feel inside. The less I try to look a certain way, the more effortlessly it all comes together. Style is also about fearlessness—embracing what feels authentic without seeking validation. That’s the beauty of experience: owning who you are-unapologetically.
“My best advice? Own who you are, at every age. Beauty isn’t about chasing trends or looking a certain way—it’s about confidence, self-care, and embracing what makes you unique.”
What’s one piece of beauty or confidence advice you’d give to women of all ages?
My best advice? Own who you are, at every age. Beauty isn’t about chasing trends or looking a certain way—it’s about confidence, self-care, and embracing what makes you unique. When you feel good in your own skin, it shows. Style and beauty should be fun, fearless, and a reflection of you—not anyone else’s expectations.
What makes French Barrelettes different from other hair tool/hair care brands??
French Barrelettes are so beautiful. We call them “Jewelry for the Hair.” These aren’t just styling tools; they are gorgeous, wearable accessories that make the process of hair rolling as stylish as the final look. Designed to be seen, they turn hair setting into a glamorous ritual. French Barrelettes are for all hair types – Whether you have curly, straight, or wavy hair, French Barrelettes work for all textures. With French Barrelettes, you’re not just styling your hair—you’re celebrating it. Whether you want to smooth, curl, or add volume, these hair rollers give you complete control, proving that luxury, function, and glamour can exist in one perfect product.
The beauty industry has embraced high-tech skincare—do you think hair care is the next category for luxury innovation?
Absolutely! Just like skincare has evolved with high-tech formulas and treatments, hair care is ready for that same level of innovation. Healthy, well cared for hair is just as much a part of beauty as glowing skin, and I believe luxury innovation in this area is the natural next step. That’s why I’m excited to introduce French Barrelettes, my upcoming hair tool line that marries modern technology with timeless elegance. Our wet-set hair rollers aim to revolutionize hair management, offering innovative solutions that honor the classic beauty of traditional hair styling. With French Barrelettes, we’re bringing a fresh perspective to hair care, combining the best of the past and present to help individuals express their authentic selves with confidence.
You’re launching this brand in your sixties, proving that reinvention has no age limit. What do you want your journey to teach others about embracing new passions later in life?
Launching French Barrelettes in my sixties proves that reinvention has no expiration date. I want my journey to inspire others to embrace new passions at any stage of life. Experience brings confidence, wisdom, and a clear sense of purpose—powerful tools for creating something meaningful. The key is to stay curious, take risks, and never let age define your potential. Whether it’s a new business, a creative pursuit, or a personal transformation, the best time to start is always now.
Beyond hair care, do you see yourself expanding into beauty, wellness, or even fashion?
Absolutely! While French Barrelettes is rooted in hair tools and hair care, I see it as just the beginning. Beauty, wellness, and fashion all go hand in hand, and I’m passionate about creating products that help women feel self-assured and stylish at any age. Whether it’s expanding into complementary beauty essentials, self-care products, or even timeless fashion accessories, I’m excited about the possibilities. My goal is to celebrate individuality and reinvention, proving that style and confidence only get better with time.
If you could collaborate with any designer, artist, or brand, who would it be?
If French Barrelettes were to collaborate with another brand, it would be with one that shares our core values: timeless luxury, sophistication, and intergenerational appeal. A partnership with a heritage brand that blends craftsmanship with modern elegance would be ideal—something that elevates everyday beauty with a sense of refinement and longevity. The collaboration could take many forms including a beautiful campaign that highlights style as something that transcends age. Whether in beauty, fashion, or wellness, the goal would be to create something that speaks to women of all generations—chic, effortless, and enduring.
What’s the ultimate beauty legacy you hope to leave behind?
I hope my beauty legacy is a reminder that confidence, style, and reinvention have no age limit. Beauty isn’t about chasing trends or fitting into a mold—it’s about embracing who you are at every stage of life. Through French Barrelettes, I want to bring back the art of timeless, glamorous styling while proving that luxury and functionality can go hand in hand. More than anything, I want to inspire women to celebrate their beauty on their own terms, to experiment, evolve, and never feel like they have to stop expressing themselves. True beauty is about how you feel, not just how you look—and that’s something that lasts forever.
Credits:
Written by Kacey Perez | @studioblume_
Photography courtesy of Lisa Grain | @lisagrain
