Rouge: A Novel

Though there are several physical descriptions of Mira, her appearance is primarily characterized by her own and others’ perspectives on her. For example, her childhood memories involve a lack of self-confidence and a feeling that she is less beautiful than her mother. Her appearance is similar to photos she’s seen of her father, “swarthy and stout” (5), and her Egyptian traits deepen the novel’s exploration of the effects of white beauty standards on women of color. She treats her skincare routine as a layering of masks, indicating that her self-esteem has remained low into adulthood. Later in the narrative, in memories of arriving in California after staying with her grandmother for several years, she is described as very beautiful and an object of men’s attention. When Noelle reflects on this moment, she is upset by how beautiful her daughter has become. In Mira’s case, Awad avoids describing definitive physical characteristics to suggest the subjectivity of “beauty” and how perspectives on physical appearance can affect one’s mindset.

At the beginning of the novel, Mira’s primary interest is in skincare, and she spends much of her time and money watching skincare videos and buying products. Her self-confidence is low, and she expresses masochistic tendencies.