My Pursuit of Beauty

A Cosmetic Chemist Reveals the Glitz, the Glam, and the Batsh*t Crazy

By: Vince Spinnato

Narrated by: Spencer Cannon

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2021 VS Vincenzo Ltd, Inc. (P)2021 VS Vincenzo Ltd, Inc.

I want to celebrate with Vince! Hug him! Share outrage with him! He is my hero! I loved this memoir!

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!

A must Read

I really liked this book it brings you along with Vince and his dream to own his own company. His journey to achieve this is quite the story you have to read this to believe.

Vince’s story is one of a person that would never give up to become what he is today. He tells stories of partying with Frank Sinatra and other celebrities while barely having money in his pockets and his love life what he did for the men he loved, he loved deeply. Vince’s life story made me Cry at times and smile at times but no matter what I had to laugh even when he went threw some horrible times he was always worrying about his Louie Vuitton Luggage.
Thank You Vince Spinnato for sharing your life’s dream with us.

A wonderful emotional beautiful story

Truly, the most enjoyable autobiography, I’ve ever listened to, what wonderful and fascinating real stories, staggering truths, from emotional depths to emotional heights! From financial the bottom to the financial top! Excellent Motivational book, I’m sure, for anyone, especially different, emotional, hair pulling disease, TRICHINOSIS!, and sufferers of gay persecution! A true Story of rising above and giving back!

An amazing story

Saying that Spinnato has had an interesting life would be an understatement. I'm not always big on memoirs, but I was absolutely fascinated by this book. Cannon has a strangely soothing voice that captures your attention, and throughout the whole book I found myself pausing what I was doing to just listen. I actually enjoyed his narration so much I might seek out other books he's narrated. Back to the story - just wow. If I hadn't seen some crazy, almost unbelievable things happen in my own life, I would find this memoir harder to believe. Such an interesting life, even after listening to all 7 hours of this book, I want to know more. I'm sure there must be stories that weren't included, and adventures that Spinnato has not yet had. Even if memoirs aren't usually your thing, there's a good chance you'll still enjoy this book.