Rouge, Richard Kirshenbaum
Rouge, Richard Kirshenbaum
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
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Rouge
A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry

Author: Richard Kirshenbaum

Narrator: Lauren Ezzo, P. J. Ochlan

Unabridged: 11 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/25/2019


Synopsis

Like Swans of Fifth Avenue and Truman Capote’s Answered Prayers, Richard Kirshenbaum's Rouge gives listeners a rare front row seat into the world of high society and business through the rivalry of two beauty industry icons (think Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden), by the master marketer and chronicler of the over-moneyed.

Rouge is a sexy, glamorous journey into the rivalry of the pioneers of powder, mascara and rouge.

This fast-paced audiobook examines the lives, loves, and sacrifices of the visionaries who invented the modern cosmetics industry: Josiah Herzenstein, born in a Polish Jewish Shtlel, the entrepreneur who transforms herself into a global style icon and the richest woman in the world, Josephine Herz; Constance Gardiner, her rival, the ultimate society woman who invents the door-to-door business and its female workforce but whose deepest secret threatens everything; CeeCee Lopez, the bi-racial beauty and founder of the first African American woman’s hair relaxer business, who overcomes prejudice and heartbreak to become her community’s first female millionaire. The cast of characters is rounded out by Mickey Heron, a dashing, sexy ladies' man whose cosmetics business is founded in a Hollywood brothel. All are bound in a struggle to be number one, doing anything to get there…including murder.

Praise for Rouge:

“I couldn’t put it down! The perfect summer and vacation read when I’m on the road." — Venus Williams, tennis champion, entrepreneur, founder EleVen by Venus

"Reading Rouge is a delicious and cherished treat! Stand up and cheer for the iconic female cosmetic industry pioneers who were brilliant, beautiful and beyond their years in entrepreneurial genius. I can’t wait to be on set filming this book. “ — Wendy Finerman, Academy Award-winning producer of Forrest Gump, The Devil Wears Prada and Stepmom

About Richard Kirshenbaum

RICHARD KIRSHENBAUM is an accomplished entrepreneur and author. Kirshenbaum is CEO of NSG/SWAT, a high-profile boutique branding agency. He has lectured at Harvard Business School, appeared on 20/20, was named to Crain’s New York Business’s “40 under Forty” list, and was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. He is the author of Under the Radar, Closing the Deal, Madboy,and Isn’t That Rich? He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.


Reviews

Wowza! Rouge was fun, enlightening, and enthralling! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Richard Kirshenbaum immediately places the reader smack dab in the mix in between two icons of the beauty industry. There’s a fierce rivalry between these two women and who will be on top of marketing make-up. But it doesn’t start and......more

ɢʟᴀᴍᴏᴜʀ. ɢʟɪᴛᴢ. ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ. Richard Kirshenbaum has written an addictive fast-paced story packed with glitz, glamour, and an entire cosmetic case full of drama! Three strong, confident, ruthless women engage in the ultimate power struggle to become the queen of the beauty industry. The bulk of the story......more

Goodreads review by Lisa

Rouge is the story of three women who become entrepreneurs in the beauty industry in the 1930's. It follows their careers as they invent different types of cosmetics and the reason why they were invented. It is the story of how women can be ruthless when they are climbing the all important "ladder"......more

Goodreads review by Amy

This follows three pioneers in the beauty industry from the 1920’s all the way to the 1990’s and we get not one, but three strong, determined, and resourceful main characters to root for. Actually, I didn’t love all three, however I could admire and respect them all for their innovation and ability......more