Brazilian Beauty enters liquidation owing ATO almost $1m

A beauty empire that operates more than five clinics in Brisbane has entered liquidation with an Australian Taxation Office debt of almost $1m.

A Brazilian Beauty clinic. Picture: Brazilian Beauty Facebook

A beauty empire that operates clinics in Brisbane has entered liquidation, owing the Australian Taxation Office nearly $1m.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission issued a winding-up order last Friday to Brazilian Beauty Clinics Pty Ltd, after the chain hit financial problems, owing creditors more than $4m.

Liquidator Ian Currie said the tax office was owed $909,366.62.

An ATO spokeswoman said the office could not comment on the tax affairs of any individual or entity.

Brazilian Beauty founder Francesca Webster. Picture: Tim Marsden

Former director Alexandra Ramsay is the daughter of Brazilian Beauty founder Francesca Webster, who expanded the chain to more than 20 stores across Australia.

Ms Webster said Brazilian Beauty ceased trading in August as her daughter sold the company to an independent third party.

“Brazilian Beauty hasn’t operated any stores at all since my daughter sold them,” she said.

“It was sold for a considerable confidential sum.

“That third party is rebranding and trading the stores.”

Francesca Webster celebrates Halloween by dressing up as Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent on October 31, 2024. Picture: Francesca Webster Facebook

Ms Webster also said everybody has financial difficulties, but not everybody has to share them.

The Courier-Mail understands that the buyer was called Believe in Beautiful.

The former Brazilian beauty clinics, now under new management and rebranded as Believe in Beautiful, remained open, and bookings can still be made on their website.

The chain has six clinics across Greater Brisbane at Cannon Hill, Clayfield, Morayfield, Redcliffe, Spring Hill and Taringa, and a location in North Adelaide.

Believe in Beautiful was contacted for comment.