ANNIE’S ANTICS WITH ANNIE MCDONNELL

ANNIE’S ANTICS WITH ANNIE MCDONNELL

ANNIE INTRODUCES VINCE SPINNATO

The author I choose each month is an author that I believe was born to shine! Let me introduce you to Vince Spinnato, author of My Pursuit of Beauty: A Cosmetic Chemist reveals the Glitz, the Glam, and the Batsh*t Crazy.

But first let’s celebrate Vince’s newest endeavor!

Vincenzo (Vince) Spinnato, Cosmetic Chemist and President/CEO of TurnKey Beauty Inc, has been selected by The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation and Ella Fitzgerald's licensing and brand management agency Evolution USA, to create a perfume that honors the iconic “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald.

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "Queen of Jazz" and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist. Ella was well known for her purity of tone, immaculate diction, phrasing and intonation, and most known for her scat singing.Vince is beyond thrilled to be helping to continue Ms. Fitzgerald's legacy and ensuring that a new generation falls in love with her song books as he has.

He recently formulated a fragrance in honor of the iconic Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday celebration, released June 10, 2022. It all began with Lorna Luft, Liza Minnelli, and the other Judy Garland Heirs signing with Vince’s Turnkey Beauty, Inc. to create the fragrance.

Judy’s fragrance is a Unisex scent to remember her support of the LGBTQIA Community. It has top notes of Coriander, elemi, and Grapefruit; middle notes of Rose, Orchid, and Pink Pepper and base notes of Tonka Bean, Bourbon Vanilla, Caramel, Patchouli, Woodsy Notes, and Musk. I got a bottle for my birthday, and I love it!

Vince says he is excited to create the notes for Fitzgerald’s jazzy, sultry, and lyrically layered perfume. He absolutely adores Judy Garland, and when it comes to Ella Fitzgerald, she pulls more on his heart strings. Vince’s father played the trumpet and loved Fitzgerald’s music.

One of his favorite songs is A-Tisket, A-Tasket recorded by Ella in 1938. But Vince’s number one favorite is Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered which was recorded in 1956. Vince confesses to listening to her music all day long, especially while he’s working.

Vince has worked at various places to get to where he is today. The first major one being “kitchen cosmetics” where they made cosmetics out of ingredients you could find in your home. Vince walked into the business and told the owner that he was going to work as an intern for free at the salon for a year. Little did he know he would be there for the next eighteen months as he learned how to develop products and all the ins and outs of the industry.

I look up to Vince for so many reasons. He’s a man that you cannot help but fall in love with immediately. I’ve never met someone that has accomplished so much in life and remains as humble and has such a great sense of humor as Vince. He makes me feel like I’m his best friend, and I am sure he is like this with everyone he meets.

In January, 2021, Vince released his memoir called My Pursuit of Beauty: A Cosmetic Chemist reveals the Glitz, the Glam, and the Batsh*t Crazy. Spinnato shares the inner workings of the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry, including entertaining tales about creating beauty products and fine fragrances for mega stores, as well as private label brands for big retail companies and entrepreneurs. Along the way, you cannot believe all that Vince has been through. It was absolutely one of my favorite reads in 2021. I will add my 5⭐ review at the end of this article.

Vince’s documentary, Skin Deep: Formulating a Legacy released in 2022 and is a must see. It’s a great follow-up to his memoir because he takes you into his world and you learn even more about him.

I use the Proust Interview model to learn more about authors I introduce beyond my typical interview questions and what we learn is always fun and fascinating. I had a great time talking with Vince!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Feeling in control of my own life, and everything being in balance.

What living person do you most admire?

I would have to say Meryl Streep. She’s so very intelligent and a wonderful actress. I am a WWII buff and Sophie’s Choice is one of my all-time favorite movies.

What has been your greatest extravagance?

That would have to be my Louis Vuitton golf bag. It even comes with velvet golf club head covers.

What qualities do you like most in a man?

What I respect most is when a man is honest and has integrity. I like them to be a “man of their word”.

What qualities do you like most in a woman?

For women I always look for honesty. Honesty is something I always respect most in anyone.

When and where were you the absolute happiest you’ve ever been?

My junior year of high school. It was the first year I participated in a musical, which was so much fun. It was called Me and My Girl.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’m a gambler, in the sense that I put everything into whatever I’m doing. I don’t easily give up.

What is your most treasured possession?

It was the American flag that I received at my father’s funeral, until it was lost in my house fire. Now I have to say it’s my collection of Broadway Playbills.

And two questions not from Proust I had to ask:

What is one question that you wish people asked during an interview?

I wish that people would ask - how are you doing today?

I was so sad to hear that your baby girl, the beautiful and truly beloved Mastiff Savannah had passed away recently. How are you doing with all of this?

I got a new mastiff puppy. She is from Savannah’s family. I named her Dominique after the character from the show I loved to watch when I was growing up called Dynasty. That’s where I usually choose the names from.

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 through.

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!

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 a 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 and I adored both.

Vince makes my heart smile!

Annie McDonnell Author of Annie’s Song: Dandelions, Dreams & Dogs, Book Reviewer, Author Interviewer, Teacher, Speaker, Writer, Author Consultant, Co-Admin. At World of the Write Review Book Club, Blogger, Author online event planner.

Catch the full interview on WELL READ Magazine's BETWEEN THE PAGES youtube.com/@wellreadmagazine