Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Kough.
A passion for beauty drives Alejandra Kough, the new owner of Rouge Cosmetics in Salem. Since taking over the reins in September 2014, Kough has brought fifteen years of experience in the field to the popular store, which specializes in fine beauty and skin care products from the most desired brands.
In her native Venezuela, Kough owned a beauty shop and served as a sought-after makeup artist for pageant contestants. Since moving to the U.S. 18 years ago, she has excelled as a beauty advisor for Estee Lauder, Clarins, Bluemercury and La Mer.
Kough is bringing that same drive for success and passion for beauty and cosmetics to Rouge. Since taking over, she has added a Brow Bar and a menu of esthetic services in Rouge’s new facial room. “We are excited to offer a variety of certified Caudalie facials,” Kough said. “They are very exclusive, and we are the only North Shore location to offer this premium service from our two estheticians on staff.” In addition to brow waxing, Rouge’s spa services menu, available Tuesday through Saturday, includes microdermabrasion and several treatment add-on options such as eye treatments and peels. The four make-up artists on staff also offer make-up lessons and professional application, both on and off site, for brides, bridal parties, proms and other special occasions such as girl’s night out. With lines for men, including the recently added Jack Black line, Rouge is not just for women. Kough is constantly on the lookout for new trends and services to offer. “We are listening to clients and responding to their needs,” Kough said, pointing to the growing interest in botanicals (plant-based products). “We are a friendly, neighborhood retail store. Our well-trained staff offers complimentary and pressure-free information about our products. We let clients know what is available and what will work for them, but we don’t push products to anyone. Come in and get glowing”
Alejandra’s passion for beauty began more than 15 years ago in her native country of Venezuela as a makeup artist and beauty store owner. She came to this country to pursue business ownership with more opportunities for growth and success.
After arriving in greater Boston area, Alejandra brought her experience to retail cosmetics and worked her way up from beauty advisor for Estee Lauder at Macy’s and then Clarins counter manager at Nordstrom’s. She managed a Bluemercury store that, with Alejandra’s leadership, became the #1 store in the company. Her last position before rouge was as manager of La Mer at Saks Boston which is the second biggest account for the line.
Alejandra met Ann Massey, the former owner of rouge, in the summer of 2014 and they hit it off immediately. They each recognized their mutual passion for the business of beauty.
Ann established rouge as a leading cosmetics store on the North Shore and was about to embark on a new journey herself. She was searching for the right person to carry on her aspiration to continue to grow rouge into a recognizable brand. Ann knew that Alejandra was the perfect person to carry on her vision of unsurpassed service and the finest products available.
Alejandra and the dedicate rouge artists developed some exciting changes such as the Brow Bar (November 2014) and additional esthetic and Dry Hair Styling services in early 2015. Added a treatment room in April 2015, which has performed over 5000 services.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Proper planning has been a key strategy in the growth of the business. The biggest challenge at first was Human factor, making sure everyone was on the same page following the initial guidelines set for the business.
Please tell us about Rouge Cosmetics.
Professional Hair and Makeup Services for Bridal, Prom as well as Portraits. We are able to capture and match each personal style and lifestyle to produce the desired look for each occasion. The thorough client consultation has been key in the communication process between client and Artist. Our team takes pride of the skills learned and applied during Rouge’s intensive training program.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Buying my first makeup essentials at the age of 7, using my school’s weekly allowance. It was from Avon’s catalog (Children’s section)
Contact Info:
- Address: 322 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970
- Website: www.rougesalem.com
- Phone: 978-740-1044
- Email: info@rougesalem.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/rougesalem
- Facebook: facebook.com/rougecosmetics
- Twitter: Rouge Cosmetics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rouge-cosmetics-salem?osq=rougecosmetics
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