Scott Vincent Borba, co-founder of Oakland-based e.l.f. Cosmetics, is set to be ordained a Catholic priest on May 23, 2026, by the Fresno Diocese in Visalia, California [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Borba, 52, founded e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2004, growing it to over $100 million in revenue within 10 years and an estimated business worth around $3 billion by the mid-2020s [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Borba began pursuing the priesthood in the mid-2010s after deciding to leave behind his luxury lifestyle and career in beauty. He became a deacon and entered St. Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California, in 2019 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The Fresno Diocese announced the ordination date on May 4, confirming he remains a seminarian at St. Patrick's [6].
Borba experienced an early calling to the priesthood around age 10 but resisted it until his 40s when his lavish Los Angeles lifestyle started to feel empty and unsatisfying [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He described his former life as “vapid” and “perverse,” admitting he idolized luxury and himself before dedicating his life to faith. "[God] not only blessed me with money and awareness... Then I decided, you know, what is wrong with me? I was vapid. I had a perverse life," Borba said [6].
Recalling his past, Borba said, “我們曾與派瑞絲希爾頓（Paris Hilton）等名人一同出遊，也會參加卡戴珊家族（Kardashian family）的派對，過著典型的好萊塢式生活。我曾經是那種奢華生活的代表人物，非常自負，也不謙卑。” [1].
Now living simply with minimal possessions, Borba said he is happier than ever. “我現在住在一個非常小的房間裡，生活非常簡樸，幾乎沒有多餘的東西。我只有少量衣物和幾雙鞋，生活已經回到最基本的需求。但我人生中從未像現在這樣快樂。” [3]. He described feeling a profound spiritual experience when praying for guidance from God [2].
Borba’s ordination will take place in Visalia, California, on May 23, marking the completion of his transition from beauty industry entrepreneur to Catholic priest [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
