At Australian Fashion Week, the glamour may unfold on the runway – but the real magic happens long before the first model takes her mark.
Backstage, amid racks of tailoring, steaming gowns and the hum of final fittings, another transformation is taking place – one led by the hair and skin experts shaping what beauty looks like in 2026.
This year, Shark Beauty has officially entered the chat with its Glam & Glow Pop Up Salon, returning as presenting partner of AFC Australian Fashion Week 2026 and powering some of the season’s most talked-about looks across designers including Carla Zampatti, Alix Higgins, Mariam Seddiq, COMMAS and Hansen & Gretel.
From backstage touch-ups to runway-ready styling, Shark Beauty is bringing the glam all week long – and at the centre of it all are Hair Director Madison Voloshin and Skin Director Isabella Schimid, the duo responsible for creating the polished, luminous beauty moments defining this year’s shows.
Skin That Performs Under Pressure
If there’s one thing Isabella Schimid understands, it’s that fashion week skin has to do more than simply look good – it has to perform.
“So to get that beautiful, polished skin that we’re after, I’m using the Shark CryoGlow mask,” Schimid tells marie claire backstage.
“If their skin needs brightening, we’re going to use the red – or if they just need a really good heal, I’m going to use the blue light.”
It’s a skin-first approach that feels distinctly modern. Under unforgiving lights, high-definition cameras and the pressure of quick changes, Schimid’s focus isn’t on masking imperfections – it’s on creating healthy, balanced skin that glows from within.
The result? Complexions that look polished, expensive and effortless.
“The CryoGlow is one of those beauty devices that genuinely makes you stop and say, wow,” says marie claire editor Georgie McCourt. “I love that it doesn’t just give you that immediate post-facial glow – it’s doing the hard work beneath the surface too, helping support collagen production, soften fine lines and boost radiance over time. But the real game-changer for me is the under-eye cooling. After long shoots, events or too little sleep, it instantly makes you look fresher, brighter and more awake. It’s skincare, science and self-care all wrapped into one very chic mask.”
Hair With Movement, Strength And Shine
Next door in the hair station, Madison Voloshin is creating what’s quickly becoming the signature Shark Beauty look of AFW 2026: glossy, powerful hair with movement and intention.
“We’re going to be pumping the hair full of a tonic and then using a concentrated nozzle on our Shark Glam till it’s about 80 per cent dry,” Voloshin explains.
“And then start putting a little bit of the movement in with a brush.”
It sounds simple – but backstage, where timing is everything, precision matters.
Using the new Shark Glam Hot Tool Air Drying & Styling System, Voloshin is able to create that elusive balance between structure and softness – hair that feels technically flawless but never overworked.
Think natural volume. High shine. Soft bends through the front. And just enough movement to catch the light as models sweep past the front row.
“It’s become my backstage obsession,” says marie claire Beauty Director Sally Hunwick between shows. “The Shark Glam is honestly the kind of tool that makes you wonder how you ever did your hair without it. It dries incredibly fast, doesn’t fry your hair, and gives you that glossy, just-left-the-salon finish every single time. Whether you want a sleek blow-dry, soft bends, volume at the roots or bouncy curls, it does it all.” With four interchangeable styling attachments and Shark’s signature Gloss Lock Technology helping smooth frizz and dial up the shine, it’s the kind of beauty investment that brings fashion-week hair home.
Inside The Glam & Glow Salon
Beyond backstage, Shark Beauty’s presence extends to its immersive Glam & Glow Pop Up Salon, where guests can experience the same runway-ready tools and techniques being used on models throughout the week.
Located on the MCA’s Tallawoladah Lawn, the salon offers complimentary styling sessions, hands-on product demonstrations and a first look at the beauty innovations shaping what comes next.
Because at Australian Fashion Week 2026, Shark Beauty isn’t just backstage.
It’s setting the standard for what modern beauty looks like – one glowing complexion and one flawless blow-dry at a time.
Runway Beauty, Real Life
Taking the glamour beyond backstage, Shark Beauty is bringing its runway expertise directly to consumers with The Gold Standard: Shark Glam Masterclass at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia on May 14. Led by Shark Beauty ambassador Joey Scandizzo alongside Face of Glam Maria Thattil, the live session will showcase real-time transformations across five models spanning hair types from 1A to 4C—proving that salon-quality, fashion-week hair doesn’t have to stay on the runway. Guests will also walk away with an exclusive Shark Beauty gift bag. Book here.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Shark Beauty is an innovation leader in the personal care industry, creating powerful products with all hair types in mind, never compromising on hair health. Shark Beauty is For All Hairkind™— celebrating the diverse, the eclectic, and the yet-to-be-celebrated hair, because all hair types are beautiful. Visit sharkbeauty.com.au.
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