A beauty therapist from a wealthy area in Sydney has mysteriously disappeared, suddenly closing her at-home clinic and leaving numerous angry clients without their scheduled treatments.
This clinic, known as Divine Beauty Specialists and operated by Gabrielle McGrath from a lavish $4.5 million waterfront mansion in Sylvania, has entered liquidation this week, as declared by ASIC.
The clinic’s online presence, including its website and social media profiles, has been removed, and efforts to reach Ms. McGrath have gone unanswered. Her personal social media accounts have also been deleted.
According to past clients, they purchased memberships and packages for cosmetic tattooing that ranged in price, with some costing as much as $1000 monthly, only to discover the establishment had closed unexpectedly last month.
Several individuals mentioned receiving promotional communications a few weeks before the closure, encouraging them to participate in discounted offers and giveaways, one of which included a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz A200 series hatchback.
In a Facebook post, upset client Hayley Brown shared that she had bought two memberships for herself and her mother for $400 each. These packages included top-end treatments such as microblading, eyeliner, lip blush, facials, and all necessary touch-ups.
‘When I first saw her work, the memberships were $200,’ she said.
Divine Beauty Specialists, run by Gabrielle McGrath, was placed into liquidation this week according to a notice published by ASIC.
Former clients say they were sold memberships and cosmetic tattooing packages at varying prices with some costing up to $1000, only to find the business had closed without warning last month
She ran the business from her rented $4.5m luxury waterfront mansion
‘Not long after, they jumped to $400, and eventually $1000 for what she called an “exclusive membership”. Then she started running flash sales for $150.’
The packages also came with lavish promises such as entry into quarterly cash prize draws and a chances to win a car.
During her initial visit, Ms Brown said the beauty therapist ran an hour late but compensated her with a free facial.
She received microblading and eyeliner treatments but no aftercare instructions.
Her mother also received the same treatment.
‘After a few weeks, we noticed my mum’s brows were patchy, and mine had faded significantly,’ she said.
‘But we assumed the touch-up session would fix everything.’
‘One woman said she paid the $400 just five weeks ago and didn’t receive one treatment yet
However the day before her appointment, a cancellation notice arrived followed by an email stating the clinic had ceased operations.
‘I went onto her Instagram, Facebook and website and found it all to be shut down,’ she said.
Ms Brown turned to her local Facebook group for answers and quickly found she wasn’t alone.
‘I posted asking if anyone else knew what happened. Over 400 comments later, I realised so many others were in the same boat.’
She had paid using Zip Pay, a practice encouraged by the business owner, and initially had her refund request declined because Ms McGrath had allegedly told the payment platform the services were completed and the client was satisfied.
But after submitting evidence, including the cancelled appointment, a report from a new beautician highlighting poor-quality work, incorrect colours used, and substandard techniques, Zip escalated the case to Visa, which issued a full refund.
Hundreds of former clients shared similar stories raising concerns about and unfulfilled services.
Many are now pushing for a formal investigation.
Attempts to contact the former business owner have been unsuccessful.
‘It’s absolutely despicable,’ she one angry client.
‘I paid the $400 just five weeks ago and didn’t receive one treatment yet.
‘I tried to message her on Facebook and was ignored, emailed her multiple times and one even bounced back to try and get my money back, still ignored.’
The Daily Mail has put an enquiry in with NSW Fair Trading with many customers encouraging others to lodge a complaint with the consumer protection agency.
