TGIF
TGIF beautiful. As today is Friday, it is time for another beauty review with Ask the Pro Stylist. However, this week isn’t about beauty products. Instead, it is a delightful book about 3 beauty juggernauts that initiated the modern world of hair and cosmetics.
Your summer book must-have is perfect for lovers of all things beauty. In addition, it contains strong female characters who started the beauty craze. Since summer isn’t over yet, grab your copy of this Friday’s Favorite and head to the beach for a great read.
Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry by Richard Kirshenbaum
It’s rare that I allow contributions to this blog. However, after reading Stephanie Viola’s notes, it comes without hesitation that she should get credit for the entire synopsis that follows. Stephanie echoes my feelings after reading Rouge. And, as with the leading ladies in the novel, she is an inspiration to me!
To begin, I tore through this book in nearly one sitting. Rouge is a fast-paced perfect-for-summer read in which you find yourself entertained to the point of gasping or laughing out loud at the outrageous behavior of Constance, Josephine, and the people they surround themselves with.
Rouge strikes the perfect balance of remaining light and approachable for the casual reader, while also being saturated in the history of 1930’s New York City at the start of the beauty industry.
Who Runs the World: Girls!
Strong female characters written by a male author is rare and refreshing. As a result, Josephine, Constance and CeeCee aren’t written as caricatures of the gender, damsels in distress, tortured by the burdens of being the “weaker sex”. On the contrary, they have their own desires, their own goals, and the determination to make them happen.
Josephine is a self-starter to the core and rejects any support from men outright. Conversely, Constance uses certain aspects of the world in which she grew up to use the influence of men to her advantage (it is the 1930’s after all)! But, never at any cost to her own self-worth.
Separately, they balance business, partnerships and family. Although it isn’t easy at times, they are shown as making deliberate choices for themselves alone and there’s power in that.
Rouge is rife with conflicts and consequences around identity and the power dynamics associated – so much so that one could easily write an essay on this alone. At its core, for Josephine, Constance and CeeCee, presentation is everything. But, isn’t that a necessary component of BEAUTY!
Presentation opens doors, gets them into circles to further their dealings and creates opportunities. Each character carefully designs the women she becomes – be it in a name change, a secret harbored, or a social connection. This is done out of necessity, and for some, not without consequence.
The arc in character identity is mirrored seamlessly with the growth of the industry each character is defining – beauty, makeup, spa treatments, hair care and helping women put their best face forward, the cornerstone of the modern beauty industry.
Recognize Any Real Female Beauty Entrepreneurs?
Of course, there are some creative liberties in this, which for lovers of all things beauty were insanely cool to read. Such as, the key facts regarding the lives of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden (the inspiration for Josephine and Constance) that carried over into the novel.
Side Drama
New York City is on the brink of a cultural revolution. As a result, Rouge is complete with affairs, mob hits, secret meetings of artists, communists, closeted men and women. Because, let us never forget that the 30’s were a time when one could get arrested for being openly gay.
In addition, the novel details prohibition, which gives way to an economic boom, and the horrors of World War II. Additionally, portrayals of the Lower East Side and the immigrant communities living there are in stark contrast with the socialite and elite crown of Upper Manhattan/Palm Beach of the era.
Final Thoughts
We would have loved more CeeCee chapters! Josephine is a target of discrimination because of her Jewish heritage. In addition, Constance suffers prejudice in affluent society for being of modest means. However, CeeCee is an African-American woman who rises from oppression and limited options to (SPOILER) founder of her own chemical relaxer and hair care brand. She is the sole-provider for her daughter. As a result, she represents many modern woman today.
~Contributions by Stephanie Viola
Look Out for This Summer Read on the Silver Screen
This summer beauty book has been featured in Thrive Global, Variety and Page Six. In addition, it has been pegged for a possible movie deal from Oscar-winning producer Wendy Finerman, known for blockbusters Forrest Gump, Stepmom and The Devil Wears Prada.
“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
Where to Find Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry
Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry by Richard Kirshenbaum is available at St. Martin’s Press. Pick up your must-have summer read now! I highly recommend it.
Happy Styling!
For more reviews like today’s summer beauty book must-have, visit next Friday. If you have a question, a product for review, or want information on hair appointments and career opportunities, please email me at asktheprostylist@gmail.com. Until then, happy styling!
©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is unlawful to reproduce this article or any part therein without prior written permission and consent from the author.
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A writer, author, NY State licensed cosmetologist, beauty educator and Executive Director, Deirdre Haggerty has been actively involved in the hair and beauty industry in New York for over 30 years. Feel free to ask any question relating to hair care, beauty and skincare! Send Deirdre an email 
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