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Former beauty entrepreneur and e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder Scott-Vincent Borba is preparing for a dramatic new chapter in life. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno announced he will soon be ordained as a Catholic priest. 

The once high-profile businessman, who helped build one of the beauty industry’s most recognizable brands, says he walked away from wealth and celebrity culture in pursuit of faith and spiritual purpose.

According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, Borba is scheduled to be ordained on May 23 after years of study and religious formation. He currently serves as a deacon and seminarian at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in California.

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e.l.f. Cosmetics Co-Founder Built Billion-Dollar Beauty Brand

Borba rose to prominence after helping launch e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2004. The company — whose name stands for “Eyes. Lips. Face.” — rapidly became a major force in the beauty industry by offering affordable cosmetics and skincare products.

Today, the brand generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue and has become one of the most recognizable names in retail beauty.

Additional information about the company can be found through e.l.f. Cosmetics.

Before entering religious life, Borba lived among celebrities and luxury culture in Southern California while building his business empire. However, he later described that period as spiritually empty despite the financial success.

In a previous interview with KSEE24 News, Borba reflected on what he called a “vapid” and “perverse” lifestyle centered around wealth and self-promotion.

“[God] not only blessed me with money and awareness, and just every business I had, he allowed me to have success with it,” Borba said. “Then I decided, you know, what is wrong with me?”

Faith Led e.l.f. Cosmetics Co-Founder Away From Hollywood Lifestyle

Borba said he eventually felt called to leave behind his luxury lifestyle and devote himself fully to the Catholic faith.

According to Borba, thoughts of becoming a priest first emerged during childhood. In an interview with OSV News, he recalled attending Mass with his mother as a young boy and feeling spiritually drawn toward the priesthood.

“At Mass, she asked me to look up at the altar, and if I wanted to be the man in the robes,” Borba said. “Whoever the priest was, his robes at that moment were shimmering like glitter … And I knew God was placing on my heart to become a priest.”

Despite the early inspiration, Borba instead pursued business success and eventually became deeply immersed in Hollywood culture and material wealth.

“I was living for myself,” he said during a previous television interview. “I was idolizing myself. I was idolizing everything else out there that was luxury.”

Over time, Borba says he realized he wanted a more meaningful and spiritually focused life.

New Life Focused on Faith and Service

Borba has since sold many of his possessions and embraced a far simpler lifestyle while preparing for ordination.

He described the transition as an effort to surrender his life back to God after years spent focused on money, status, and achievement.

“I am trying to do everything to show our Lord that He gave me everything in His divine providence,” Borba said. “He has taken care of me all my life, and now I am to give it all back.”

His story has attracted attention across both religious and business communities because of the stark contrast between his former celebrity-centered life and his current religious calling.

Borba prepares to officially enter the priesthood later this month. Supporters say his journey reflects a rare and deeply personal transformation from corporate success to spiritual devotion.