Summary:
Finalist, LGTBQ Nonfiction Category, 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards
At age 10, Vince Spinnato watched TV soaps with his grandmother and became enamored with the characters on The Young and the Restless, who owned a cosmetics firm. He vowed he would follow in their footsteps and chose a name – VS Vincenzo. In his unconventional memoir, Spinnato shares the inner workings of the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry with entertaining tales about creating beauty products and fine fragrances for celebrities including Michael Jordan, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Gwen Stefani, and many others.
Spinnato also shares some of his life’s most bizarre situations: the time he survived a tornado in Iowa while being tethered to a bridge; another when he became stuck inside a resort water slide that involved melted butter and a rescue by the fire department; an embarrassing meetup with film star Lauren Bacall; and his terrifying flight post 9/11 that was nearly shot down by fighter pilots.
Transforming himself into a well-known serial entrepreneur and beauty industry expert was no small feat. Along the way, Spinnato dealt with incessant bullying, coming out, dyslexia, body dysmorphia, trichotillomania, and multiple betrayals. “A devastating breakup was the last straw,” he says. “At age 20, I got in my car, waved good-bye to New Jersey, and headed to Hollywood, determined to launch my career.”
He eventually founded TurnKey Beauty, Inc. to develop beauty and personal care products for celebrities, as well as major retailers (more than 300 products and counting). A contributor to Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Esquire, and GQ, the cosmetic chemist founded Aegean Skincare, LLC and Vincenzo Skincare, LLC. In My Pursuit of Beauty, Spinnato not only reveals behind-the-scenes tales of working with the rich and famous, searing stories of loves lost, and his scramble to make it, but also his moving journey to self-acceptance.
Review:
Vince Spinnato is the walking embodiment of the quote “Never give up because great things take time”!
“My Pursuit of Beauty” can serve as a self-help book for those following their dreams and feel like they are getting knocked down too many times along the way.
Vince is my hero!! He always holds his head high and pushes though.
A seed grew in his young mind as he watched “Young & the Restless” & “Dynasty” with his mother. Then it blossomed into this glorious, rather sensational dynasty! The VS Vincenzo Dynasty!
He began implementing his plans, like selling creams at a futon shop!
Vince is affectionate and caring! He had friends that loved him and friends that loved him a lot less! Things happen to him that seem ridiculous, and you will laugh out loud or cry. So many times I just wanted to reach through the page and hug him. Many times, Vince deserved better. Many times, I felt outrage!
Follow Vince’s journey to Success. You will be happy you did, because it is so entertaining. Early in his career path he met an executive from Elle Magazine, just as I started with Elle Magazine! That Magazine brings good things to life!
He is always ready to give you the shirt off of his back.Vince Spinnato definitely makes waves along the way to becoming a successful entrepreneur!
He is a force of nature!
“My Pursuit of Beauty” is such an personal journey you will feel like you are best friends with Vince by the time you finish the book. You will want to meet him and shake his hand, because you’ll be proud of him, but mostly impressed by him!
I read the book and listened to the audible! I adored both.
Vince makes my heart smile!
5 Stars.
Author Bio:
With more than 25 years of experience in the personal care, cosmetics, and fine fragrance industries, Vince Spinnato, a cosmetic chemist, certified nose, executive and marketer has become one of the leading names in the refinement and development of new products and private label lines for beauty brands and fine fragrances.
After studying chemistry and international business in college, Spinnato completed a two-year apprenticeship learning about cosmetic chemistry as well as the national and international manufacturing and retail ends of the industry. During that period, Spinnato acquired vast knowledge and became an expert in identifying the “real world” effectiveness of ingredients and raw materials while working and managing within a team framework.
Spinnato’s wealth of experience and continual search for the best and most effective ingredients has led to multiple product breakthroughs. Through the years, he has worked with numerous cosmetics and healthcare companies such as Chanel, Limited (Victoria Secret, Bath & Body Works), Gap/Banana Republic, P&G, J&J, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Kmart/Sears and many others. Spinnato has also worked on developing new products for celebrities including Ole Henriksen, Michael Jordan, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Lilian Garcia, Carrie Underwood, Pitbull, French Montana and others.
Spinnato is a member of the California Chapter of the SCC; and he has been a contributor to publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Esquire, GQ, Whole Foods Magazine, Health News Digest, Live, Riviera, WWD, OC Metro and Burn Magazine. The entrepreneur has also served as the Beauty Editor for both Modern Luxury Magazine and Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine. He has made guest appearances on television shows such as the Vicki Johnson Show, Go Curvy, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Workout, Blow Out, and Kathy Irelands Modern Living.
Known for his devotion to the beauty industry, Spinnato takes great delight in developing and putting together cutting-edge products. Also known for being ahead of the curve, Spinnato regularly contributes to International Trends Forecasts for the beauty industry. He often travels the world to keep a watchful eye on what’s hot, and he uses that knowledge to inspire his state-of-the-art beauty innovations.
A popular, entertaining and knowledgeable speaker, Spinnato is at home in front of a wide range of groups including those in the beauty industry to those in the Society of OBGYNs. Due to his keen eye for natural products that address multiple issues, Spinnato has long been an advocate for safe and high performing beauty and personal care products in women’s categories that address such issues as the functionality of transdermal pre- and post-menopause, PMS, sexual dysfunction, breast tenderness and varicose veins.
Spinnato’s management and development teams who work with him at TurnKey Beauty – his R&D lab, and private labelling company – are versatile, tightly-coordinated and uber-talented. Spinnato and his team’s competence, proficiency and experience in both the executive and technical areas offer clients ‘turnkey’ solutions with a detailed handbook that covers everything from a product launch through all the integral parts of the beauty and business arenas including production, distribution, product promotion, labelling, pricing, merchandising, account management and related activities.
A specialist in the creation and management of rapid growth strategies, Spinnato helps to maximize profits for existing manufacturers’ accounts – managing all marketing and sales strategies, operations and personnel. Responsibilities include the development of GMP’s, SOP’s, ISO 9001 procedures, marketing plans, business plans, training manuals, P+L reports, SDS’s and COA’s. A highly effective manager, problem-solver, strategic thinker and motivator, Spinnato thrives working with operating, sales and marketing teams.
In addition to guiding clients through the intricate process of generating their own skincare, body care, haircare, baby products, and/or pet products, Spinnato has launched his own personal product line: Vincenzo Skincare. His products have superior performance to most products available in the marketplace today. The Vincenzo Skincare line features products designed to help treat fine lines, wrinkles and feathering, plus certain types of sun damage with full capability on various skin combinations. Caviar and Diamond Skincare Products, Spinnato’s newest product line, has an amazing effect on the skin serving as an anti-aging ingredient that helps to diminish fine lines, wrinkles and feathering. It also contributes to renewing and regenerating energy to long forgotten dead skin cells.
To capture his colorful and wildly successful career, Spinnato is releasing his memoir entitled “My Pursuit of Beauty – The Glitz, The Glam, and The Batsh*t Crazy”” in January, 2021. Also in 2021, Spinnato is releasing a behind-the-scenes documentary named ‘Skin Deep – Formulating A Legacy’. Both the book and the documentary chronicle Spinnato’s journey of self-discovery in his trek towards becoming a world-famous cosmetic chemist and perfumer.
Spinnato is also involved in philanthropic efforts including:
– Wells of Life, a non-profit organization providing reliable water projects to communities in African nations that suffer from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation. A portion of the proceeds from Caviar & Diamonds have been earmarked for this organization.
– Beginning in 2015, wanting to honor his father and grandfather — both musicians – Spinnato established two college scholarships for talented seniors at his former high school in Vineland, N.J.
– And, as someone who suffers with the condition trichotillomania, a lifelong hair-pulling disease, Spinnato is involved with raising awareness for this condition, which is estimated to affect one to four percent of people and usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
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