E.l.f. Cosmetics Founder Set to Become a Catholic Priest
Scott Vincent Borba, the co-founder of e.l.f. Cosmetics, is preparing to enter Catholic priesthood after walking away from a multimillion-dollar fortune and a decades-long career in the global beauty industry, marking one of the most dramatic personal transformations in the modern consumer brand world. Borba, who helped launch e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2004, once lived at the center of celebrity-driven glamour, wealth, and high-end beauty culture. Today, he describes that era as spiritually hollow, saying his former lifestyle was shaped by excess, status, and self-focus before a personal religious awakening pushed him in a radically different direction.
A Life Built Inside Luxury And Celebrity Culture
Before stepping away from business, Borba operated in elite entertainment and beauty circles, working as an entrepreneur, esthetician, and brand builder. He was part of the founding team behind e.l.f. Cosmetics, a brand created with the idea of affordable beauty products that could compete with major cosmetics companies while remaining accessible to mass consumers. As the brand grew, Borba’s personal life also escalated into a high-profile lifestyle filled with luxury travel, celebrity connections, and industry influence. Reports describe him as deeply embedded in Hollywood-adjacent social circles during his peak years in the beauty business.
The Turning Point That Changed His Path
Borba has said his shift began after years of internal dissatisfaction that eventually surfaced in a moment of personal crisis during a social event, where he described feeling exhausted and spiritually empty despite professional success. That experience became the catalyst for a long process of religious reflection, leading him to re-evaluate both his career and identity. Over time, he began stepping away from the beauty industry entirely and pursuing formal religious formation within the Catholic Church.
Walking Away From Wealth And Business
According to multiple reports, Borba ultimately sold off assets tied to his business interests and donated substantial portions of his wealth to charitable causes as he committed more fully to religious life. He later entered seminary training and began preparation for ordination within the Diocese of Fresno. He now lives a minimalist lifestyle while continuing his formation at St. Patrick’s Seminary in California, where he has been training as part of the priesthood track.
Preparing For Ordination And A New Identity
Borba is scheduled to be ordained as a Catholic priest on May 23 in his hometown of Visalia, California. Church officials have confirmed his transition from deacon to priest after years of preparation and theological study. Those close to his formation describe his journey as a gradual shift rather than a sudden break, shaped by long-standing religious reflection that dates back to childhood experiences and what he has described as a persistent spiritual calling.
A Rare Exit From A Billion Dollar Industry
Borba’s departure from the cosmetics world stands out because of the scale of success he helped build. e.l.f. Cosmetics has grown into a major global brand, expanding far beyond its early identity as a low-cost disruptor in the beauty space. His exit underscores a rare reversal in an industry often defined by long-term corporate retention, with founders typically remaining in business leadership roles or transitioning into investor status rather than leaving entirely for religious life.
A Personal Shift With Public Attention
The story has drawn widespread attention because it intersects two contrasting worlds, high-end consumer capitalism and institutional religious life, raising broader questions about fulfillment, identity, and meaning in careers built around image and consumption. Borba, however, has framed his decision in personal terms rather than economic or cultural critique, emphasizing spiritual clarity and a sense of purpose over professional achievement.
