Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry

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