Success in the beauty industry usually comes with luxury, celebrity connections, and financial freedom. But for one former cosmetics executive, those things ultimately were not enough.
Scott-Vincent Borba, one of the original co-founders of e.l.f. Cosmetics is preparing to officially enter the priesthood after leaving behind the wealth and lifestyle that came with helping build one of the most recognizable affordable makeup brands in the United States.
Borba is expected to be ordained through the Diocese of Fresno later this month in Visalia, California.
Long before becoming connected to ministry, Borba was known for helping shape a cosmetics company that exploded in popularity thanks to low prices, cruelty-free products, and mass appeal among younger shoppers. The company became a major force in the beauty world and eventually generated hundreds of millions in sales.
Yet behind the success, Borba says he struggled with feeling spiritually disconnected and emotionally empty.
In recent interviews, he reflected on how years spent chasing status, luxury, and image-driven success left him questioning his purpose. According to Borba, he reached a turning point in his 40s after experiencing what he described as a deep personal and spiritual awakening.
That moment reportedly pushed him to reconnect with his Catholic faith — something he says had always been present in his life but buried underneath the pressures of business and Hollywood culture.
Instead of continuing to pursue wealth, Borba decided to step away from the lifestyle entirely. He later entered seminary training and reportedly gave much of his fortune away to charitable causes.
Today, Borba lives a dramatically different life than the one many people associate with beauty executives and entrepreneurs. He now studies and serves through St. Patrick’s Seminary in California, where he has embraced a minimalist lifestyle focused on ministry, spirituality, and service.
The story has sparked major online conversation because it challenges the idea that financial success automatically leads to happiness. For many readers, Borba’s journey reflects a broader cultural shift where more people are openly questioning burnout, consumerism, and the pressure to constantly pursue more.
Others see his decision as an example of someone choosing personal fulfillment over public image.
Whether viewed as inspiring, surprising, or unconventional, Borba’s story stands out in a culture where walking away from fame and fortune is rare.
