e.l.f. Cosmetics Co-Founder Is Leaving the Beauty World to Become a Catholic Priest
Most of us associate e.l.f. Cosmetics with affordable makeup, drugstore beauty aisles, and viral products that end up all over TikTok.
So, it came as a bit of a surprise when we heard that an e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder is now preparing for a completely different path in life: the Catholic priesthood.
Scott-Vincent Borba, one of the original founders of the beauty brand, is set to be ordained as a Catholic priest later this month, after stepping away from the cosmetics industry and donating much of his fortune.
Scott-Vincent Borba Once Lived a Very Different Life
Before entering the seminary, Scott-Vincent Borba spent years building brands, working in the beauty world, and moving through celebrity circles in California.
Borba helped co-found e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2004, transforming the company into one of the most recognizable and affordable beauty brands in the country.
Over time, the company grew into a billion-dollar business known for cruelty-free makeup products that were sold in stores like Target, Walgreens, and Ulta.
In interviews, Borba has openly described his former lifestyle as centered around luxury, celebrity culture, expensive cars, and nonstop work.
The e.l.f. Cosmetics Priest Story Began After a Personal Turning Point
According to recent interviews, the future e.l.f. Cosmetics priest says he began reevaluating his life after feeling emotionally empty, despite his business success.
Borba eventually left the company, entered the seminary, and, over time, began donating his wealth to charity.
He’s now studying at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, and is expected to officially become a priest for the Diocese of Fresno later this month.
Borba has also spoken openly about dramatically simplifying his life, trading his luxury homes and expensive cars for a smaller and quieter lifestyle.
Why the Story Is Getting So Much Attention
Part of the reason this story has spread so quickly online is because it feels like such an unexpected pivot.
A “beauty mogul becomes priest” headline sounds almost fictional at first glance, especially in a world where celebrity entrepreneurs usually move toward bigger brands, bigger deals, and bigger business ventures.
At the same time, many people online are genuinely fascinated by the contrast between Borba’s former life and the one he’s choosing now.
Social media discussions and Reddit threads have ranged from admiration and curiosity, to broader conversations about burnout, purpose, faith, and the need to step away from high-pressure lifestyles.
A Catholic Priest and Former CEO Isn’t Something We See Every Day
Stories about career reinvention are common. Stories about someone walking away from a multimillion-dollar beauty empire to enter the priesthood are much rarer.
Borba’s ordination is scheduled to take place later this month in California.
Whether we view the story through the lens of faith, burnout, personal transformation, or simple curiosity, it’s certainly one of the most unexpected career changes making headlines this week.
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