Rogue by Richard Kirshenbaum tells the story of two women behind the rise of the cosmetic industry. The two major protagonists are Josephine Herz and Constance Gardiner. Since this novel falls in the genre of historical fiction the characters are based on Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden. Their stories are told from the 1920's through the course of their lives. Both were singularly driven to make it to the top of the cosmetics industry. They were rivals to the end. I admired and despised them at the same time.
The novel depicts a time when women didn't really work let alone become titans of industry. They were interesting women with illustrious careers in a man's world. The characters were well developed, refreshing and unforgettable, to say the least. The plot and the setting were also well done. The story line was fascinating to me since my first 'grown-up' job was working in the cosmetics industry. The story is well researched, carefully crafted and very well written. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this story did not disappoint. I will admit that when I finished, I reread the first chapter just to clarify a few things in my mind.
I would like to thank St. Martin's Press, the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As most of you know if you follow my reviews, I LOVE a strong female character. This novel if FULL of them. Josephine, Constance and CeeCee are unstoppable. They are determined to overcome anything and everything to be on the top!

There are so many parts to this novel! This history of the cosmetics industry, the millionaires, the rivalries….which can lead to murder. Everyone is striving to be number one…makes no difference who gets in the way!

Intriguing….all the way through. I enjoy a book which has me researching. I was looking up all the characters in this book! This a fast paced novel not to be missed! Grab yours today!

Thank You to @stmartinspress @netgalley for including me on this book tour and for an advanced copy!⁣
All opinions expressed are my own. ⁣
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Rouge ⁣
By: @richard_kirshenbaum
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*REVIEW*⁣ Makeup is an essential tool for nearly every woman I know. How did it become so indispensable? Rogue tells the story of the women behind the rise of beauty in a compact and a tube. Josephine Herz and Constance Gardiner (Helena Rubenstein, Elizabeth Arden) are the two driven moguls who sit at the helms of their companies. Their stories of sacrifice, triumph, rivalry and relationships is relayed from the 1920's through the course of their lives. Both were of a singular mindset: make it to the top, and remain there, at any cost. Truly, it's amazing what they did for success and fame. I admire and despise them simultaneously. Diligently, each woman worked in a time period when women simply did not do what these two were doing. I wonder if maybe each partly worked for spite, to fling in the face of the naysayers and critics. I appreciate this fighting spirit, but the methods of achievement leave me speechless, and, bemused, at the least. The sprinkling of insider industry tidbits about the entire process was fascinating and informative.Turns out, I'm clueless! I digress. Against the glamorous landscape of the 30's and 40's, what woman wouldn't want an outrageous splash of fortune and fame? They were wondrous females with illustrious careers in a man's world. I hope that, somehow, they were regarded as fine examples of success by other women of the era. Vivid and remarkable with an exhaustive pace that leaves you wanting more, Rouge is expertly crafted for maximum impact. The characterizations of these deviously fabulous women makes me wonder if the author had close contact with them or was granted all access? It's truly impressive,and, by a man, nonetheless! The story is obviously well researched, sparing no sordid detail. I'm a fan of historical fiction, and this account is unlike anything I have ever read. It's super unique and refreshing with unforgettable characters. I will never look at makeup in the same manner. Neither will you after you read this gem. Don't miss this book!

Perfect for holiday reading, where no thought is required, this was an enjoyable book, but not gripping. I found that I wanted to know more; the intrigue between and Josephine and Constance was glossed over, and I felt that more could have been done regarding CeeCee's part in the story. In the end, while it is well written, the story really just petered out for me.

As a young girl growing up in the late 80’s, early 90’s at the height of the ‘glamour’ industry (well at least for me!), there was no way I could pass on this book.

I was exceptionally interested in cosmetics and the ‘glamor’ industry starting in my early teens, a passion the carried on into my early 20’s. In my youth, there was nothing like seeing who the new ‘Cover Girl’ was going to be, or what new makeup promised to revolutionize my beauty routine.

I was the girl who wore every single cosmetic from age 13. I had horrible acne as a elementary child and because I went to a Catholic school, I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup which was horrible for a girl with terrible skin. But once I transitioned into a public junior high school, all bets were off and thus came my obsession with cosmetics and beauty.

So what I am trying to say is this book appealed to me on a deeply personal level and I was thrilled to read about the cosmetics industry, especially since a man was writing the book.

Summary

Like Swans of Fifth Avenue and Truman Capote’s Answered Prayers, Richard Kirshenbaum’s Rouge gives readers 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 novel 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 (summary from Goodreads).

Review

When I picked this one up, I thought it was going to be more of a non-fiction book, especially since the author has written mostly non-fiction books in the past. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was fiction/historical fiction. I was admittedly a little skeptical about a man writing a book about a predominately female industry, including female characters. No one knows a woman like a woman—-however, this man did hell of a job highlighting female struggles in an industry that was horribly cutthroat!

I could not believe how fast paced this book was and yet how much ground was covered. It was glamorous (as I was expecting it to be), exciting, and ruthless! I couldn’t believe how the women in this industry would stop it nothing to get to the top—-Kirshenbaum did a marvelous job highlighting the cutthroat nature of women in this field for sure!

While I didn’t love the characters or their choices sometimes, I ultimately felt that it was an accurate representation of women in that industry which is what made them interesting. I personally think it’s fun to read about the uber rich and famous, because you know there was an interesting story about how they got there and what they had to give up. Knowing I will never be one of those people, I find it engrossing and interesting because they are so different and far removed from me as a reader that I can’t help but be sucked in. Which was the case in this book.

But this novel was so much more than just snarky cattiness between rival beauty houses or even female and romanic relationships—what I found most exciting about this book was the suspense element. People in this industry will do anything to succeed, including murder and everything else in between. I loved uncovering various plots in this book. It was a wonderful read that kept me eager and interesting for what was going to happen next.

Book Info and Rating

Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published June 25th 2019 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 1250150957 (ISBN13: 9781250150950)
Free review copy provided by publisher, St Martins Press, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 5 stars
Genre: historical fiction

Rouge, by Richard Kirshenbaum, is the story of rival cosmetics empires, as well as a look at appearances and perceptions. The author uses the act of buying cosmetics to show class and aspiration. Whether it’s door-to-door saleswomen bringing glamour to housewives, or a salon that’s also an upscale social occasion, cosmetics allow customers to be someone else.

And the women behind these companies understand this reinvention. Josiah Herzenstein doesn’t actually pretend she’s not Jewish, but she renames herself Josephine Herz as she starts her rise. Her major rival, Constance Gardiner, also reinvents her past by changing the spelling of her name, and adopting an upper class accent and manners. And CeeCee Lopez, at Constance’s suggestion, uses her lighter skin and a Spanish-sounding name to change her race.

The novel covers decades, and the main characters have full, eventful lives, with dramatic reversals. It’s a lot like People Like Us or Swans of Fifth Avenue in the depictions of class customs and social climbing, although this wasn’t really a manners novel.

Without revealing the twists of the book, Constance and Josephine find themselves competing, again and again, and even inspiring each other in their competition. I enjoyed the powerful positioning through color choice or careful branding. Even though the novel begins with a flash-forward, there are plenty of surprises and reversals.

But at times, there’s almost too much symmetry between Josephine and Constance, making some scenes of the novel feel slightly forced. I’m thinking specifically of the scene where they wind up at the same restaurant for celebratory dinners, and their sons both leave early, leaving the two alone, with their champagne. That felt a lot less like two vibrant rivals accidentally crossing paths.

Overall, this is a dramatic story of competition, cosmetics, and keeping up appearances.

This story puts you in the 1930's between two women who become icon's in make-up and beauty. You will see how they challenge each other and outwit each other. It is an incredible story set in a time where woman are not really allowed in business yet they beat the odds at all costs to make it.



I thought this was a well written book that encompassed not only the history of the time but also of make-up.

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

Makeup………..So many of us wear it, adore it, and depend on it as part of our daily routine. The history of our modern cosmetic industry is swanky and unmerciful. Real life makeup mavens Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein pioneered the beauty industry for women beginning in the early 1920’s. Their bitter rivalry for superiority in the industry lasted for more than 50 years. With books written, a broadway play produced, and even a PBS special made based on their ongoing tug-of-war, these two ladies are beyond cultural icons.
In Richard Kirshenbaum’s new novel, Rouge, he tells the story of two fictional characters whose lives appear to be loosely based on real life Arden and Rubinstein. He cleverly incorporates history with his own fictional embellishments. Kirshenbaum’s story spans from the 1920’s until 1993, with the bulk of the story taking place in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Though his book is a work of fiction, Kirshenbaum dives into the past with historical detail that makes it impossible to decipher what is real and what is fiction. Give your lashes a swipe of mascara and blot your cheeks with some powder, you are about to witness women who will stop at nothing to get to the top. Here we go!!!!
Richard Kirshenbaum’s story follows Josephine Herz, a Jewish woman born and raised in Poland, but who fled her native country before the Nazi invasion. Carrying her pots of beauty creams which she was constantly working on, she headed to Australia and eventually landed in New York City. It’s here that her cosmetic business became a global success. With every successful business woman, there is bound to be a competitor to challenge them to the finish line. Meet Constance Gardiner, a New York City society woman whose vision was to make beauty accessible to every woman. Not only did she believe in the power of cosmetics, she believed in the power women could have with the right tools. Developing a door-to door cosmetic sales model by women for women, Gardiner empowered women to be independent, earn money while raising their children and above all……. become equal to men. Herz and Gardiner were constantly going head to head on developing the next big cosmetic breakthrough. From mascara to perfume to marketing approaches, they stopped at nothing (and I mean nothing) to outdo one another. Though these two beauties were top in their industry, there were other contenders lurking on the sidelines. Cee Cee Lopez, a woman who worked for Gardiner, developed the first hair relaxer for the African American woman. Once loyal to Gardiner, she quickly jumped ship and worked for Herz after a major falling out. Lastly, Cee Cee’s lover, Mickey Heron, enters the playing field first as Cee Cee’s knight in shining armor, but then as a major cosmetic player himself. The action is non-stop in this cosmetic industry drama. To make it to the top is one thing. To stay at the top is a whole other affair.
Richard Kirshenbaum’s storytelling is top notch. He unveils his characters’ inner emotional turmoil that not only drives them forward in their quest for success, but is their number one enemy in the end. Kirshenbaum explores how race, sexuality, and gender played such a significant role in these characters’ journeys. Though Herz and Gardiner‘s lives appeared glamorous and tidy from the outside, they were truly falling apart behind closed doors. Readers will get a glimpse of the sacrifices made to become the supreme beauty queen. Rouge is filled to the tippy top with mystique, lust and back-stabbing at its finest. Enjoy this attractive and cutthroat journey into a world filled with lipstick, mascara and rouge. Herz and Gardiner……..cosmetic entrepreneurs, household names and ruthless competitors…till death do them part!!!!!!

I was in the mood for a different kind of read when I signed up for this blog tour and I hadn't heard of this author so I'd give this book a chance. It did sound interesting with the pioneers of the makeup industry.

There were certain aspects that I enjoyed such as how hard Josephine and Constance worked to make better lives for themselves and the author describes in great detail about their lives before they became known for their brand. Once they became well known he goes into great detail about the process of making the product even down to the packaging they used. Which is all good and well but unfortunately I just didn't connect to any of the characters because I found them to be so ruthless. I understood the rivalry, it was the hatefulness and underhandedness that bothered me.

Having said that, I cant say that this book is all bad because some of it was to my liking and I enjoyed getting to see the opulent lifestyle they lived and their travels. I also liked seeing how each person rose from their humble beginnings to their ultimate goal of reaching the top even if I disagreed with their means of getting there.

I received a copy from the publisher trough Netgalley and was under no obligation to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own

A fascinating look at two women from different parts of the world who start from nothing and become the most famous women in the cosmetic industry. The story starts in the 20s and follows through to their deaths with the ups and downs they each experienced Their loves, their competition and their success and failure. Then there is CeCe who was bi-racial and how she worked with each of them and finally made her own way. Josephine and Constance became major successes in a time when many women did not work. Great story!

Rouge by Richard Kirshenbaum is a fast paced historical fiction piece about the competitive drive that helped develop the cosmetics industry we know today. I enjoyed cheering for these women as they overcame obstacles, especially as far back as 1920 to become female entrepreneurs and businesswomen, and found some of the manipulation and cattiness shocking and entertaining. The glamorous and fashion world is always entertaining and it was fun to read about their lives - never a dull moment. I received an ARC of this book l, all opinions are my own.

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 takes place in the 30s,40s, and 50s when it was very unusual for women to be major powers in the business world. Josephine, Constance, and CeeCee all break into the beauty Industry in very different ways. They all have secrets to hide and hurdles to jump. This book not only highlighted these ladies rise to the top, but the deep seeded rivalry between them. These women would stop at nothing to claw their way to the top and were NOT willing to share that top spot! All the drama and cattiness sure was fun to read about, but WOW how much easier would it have been if they could’ve all just got along! You know female solidarity!?! While I admired all these women’s tenacity, I didn’t always admire their methodology.

This book was not only entertaining, but it was also very informative. I liked all the little tidbits about how makeup evolve sprinkled throughout the story. There was also plenty of romance and scandal. These women did not leave boring lives, that is for sure! This was a fascinating fast-paced story that you’ll find completely engaging even if you are not into makeup or beauty. It really was about powerful women having to overcome societal expectations in order to succeed, and succeed they did!

🎧🎧🎧 Lauren Ezzo narrated the audio and did a stellar job! I really think she got the tone of these ladies voices spot on. She also did a really good job with Josephine’s Polish accent. Lauren made a great story even better!💄

*** Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my copy of this book ***

I'm not typically a historical fiction fan, but the synopsis of Rouge sounded so good that I just had to read it. I was not disappointed because the book more than lived up to the synopsis!

The primary characters, Josiah and Constance, were definitely strong women who followed their dreams to build an empire. They each went about it the same - hard work and research - but that is really where the comparison ends.

The descriptions were lush, the characters very real and interesting and the plot of the book was one that pulled me in from the first chapter. The whole funeral scene was absolutely out of this world.

If you're a historical fiction fan, or a fan of strong women and family / business sagas, this is for you. It reminded me a LOT of Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance. You have the sweeping sage covering many years and the very determined, strong woman who anchors the book.

Rouge is well worth a read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. My thoughts in this review are my own and freely given.

Good historical fiction with the beauty industry as the backdrop. I found the characters to be well written and the pace of this book makes an long afternoon fly by!.I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

My never ending quest to start liking historical fiction has once again brought me to an amazing read. Rouge has an interesting premise, but more importantly, it’s masterfully executed and exciting throughout.
I really enjoyed the story, it was full of drama and intrigue, and it just consumed me. The characters were well-developed, each with a unique personality that made them memorable.
The word dynamic comes to mind whenever I try to describe anything in this book: the dialogue, the relationships and interactions between the characters, the writing too. It felt as though there were no dull moments in this book. The plot was well paced and the writing flowed beautifully.
I think Rouge is a wonderfully addition to the historical fiction genre, perfect for fans of it, as well as people who are interested in picking up the genre for the first time. It’s definitely worth a read.
I recommend it.

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for my review.

When I was first offered this book I thought it was only a romance novel which is completely out of my comfort zone. But then as I started reading I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was more than that.

This story is about Josephine, Constance, and CeCe and their history with marriages, love, their lives, and their mistakes.

The writing was so descriptive you felt like you traveled back in time to the ’20s and the ’80s as the book started in the 1980s and then flies back to the 1920s. I loved all of the history in this book and learning more about the three girls and their individual lives.

This was a very fast-paced fascinating read that I really enjoyed. The cover really sucked me in and made me want to read this but the writing style and characters are what kept me hooked.

Before starting this book I wasn’t sure this would be for me, as I am not much for makeup or the beauty industry at all, but this book was fascinating! If you love historical fiction, than this one will surely satisfy!
The story follows 3 very different independent and determined women through their lives. They seem to be in competition with the other throughout their entire lives, driven by the other’s successes. Men come and go, but for all three, their one true love is their company.
Well written and so enjoyable, I read it in a day. It’s stories like this one, that make me love historical fiction.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

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 to break down barriers for women in the workplace, it was pretty inspiring especially as all three overcame some serious obstacles before reaching their ultimate goals and this was mainly set in the twenties and thirties when women being successful businesswoman was just not the norm.

Often I find historical fiction to move at a pretty slow pace but this one flew by, the pacing was incredibly fast, there was always something new and exciting happening in the characters lives, truly never a dull moment. The behind the scenes look at the beauty industry was fascinating, these woman were sharp and hungry and the cattiness between them was unreal. Highly entertaining as well, the lengths they would go to in order to maintain their success was crazy, think manipulation and crafty plotting and scheming. Throw in some glitz and high glamour and you have one hell of a dazzling read.

Recommended as a great addition to your summer reading list, it’s juicy and delicious with plenty of depth and intrigue to keep you turning the pages fast as you can!

Rouge in three words: Sophisticated, Dramatic and Devious.

I worked in the cosmetic industry for years so I was looking forward to this book. It's very well written, intriguing, and fascinating. You don't have to love cosmetics to enjoy this book! There's a cross-section of people and some delicious cattiness. A fun read!

Fans of the roman a clef will eat up this novel of women (and men) in the cosmetic industry. It tracks the rise of three women- Josiah, Constance, and CeeCee- in the cosmetic industry. While there's much fodder here, this would have benefited from another edit to fix repetition (Josiah's looks, the little jars of cream), especially in the early chapters and to track for historical accuracy and timing (the ability to see sheep on the hills when a ships pulls into harbor in Australia, how Constance ended up at a Seven Sisters college in the US and then poof into society, the colors of makeup worn in the 1920s etc). There's a better book in here. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A rare pass for me.