By Sheri Monk

Aigul Fritzke, owner of Maple Creek’s MC Nail, took her skills to a higher level last month with a celebrity makeup artist.
“I was surprised and amazed they picked me to help him,” said Fritzke.
And just who is “he”? Renowned makeup artist Bryon Callaghan has been helping Hollywood’s elite look better for well over a decade. Brad Pitt, Jamie Lee Curtis and soon, Elton John are part of his star-studded resume.
Fritzke was thrilled to be asked to be Callaghan’s assistant for two days at popular Medicine Hat shop, Friday’s Image, on Jan. 29 and 30.
“I carry the ‘Us Girls’ makeup line from Friday’s Image. Dianne Ziegenhagel owns Friday’s Image and also created the makeup line,” Fritzke explained. “And he (Callaghan) likes to work with it.”
Fritzke, originally from Kazakhstan, opened her business four years ago in her home. Last May, she opened a state-of-the-art shop at Jasper Street. Though she is already fully qualified, she says she loves having the opportunity to develop her skills and offer more to her clients.
“I like learning and traveling and trying to bring more to Maple Creek,” said Fritzke.
One of the areas of makeup artistry she enjoys is a much newer method.
“I have been trying to do more air brushing now because it’s my favourite and that’s what I did. I was excited because that’s what he wanted me to do and that’s what I wanted to learn more,” she said.
Airbrushing makeup is a different ball game, but Fritzke loves working with the application.
“It’s a little bit harder than regular makeup because you learn how to control colours,” Fritzke said. “It’s so different from what I learned in my classes and I took makeup art at two places.”
And working with a celebrity artist allowed her to learn how to apply makeup geared for photo shoots and camera lights.
“He is more for photo shoots and magazines and movie stars. It changes when you take a picture – the colour is totally different.”
In addition to manicures, pedicures, gel nails, makeup and waxing, Fritzke offers specialized makeup for grad and weddings as well as other much-photographed special occasions. Now that she knows how to work with flash, camera and lighting, she is looking forward to trying out these new skills on her client base.
Additionally, she will soon be working again at Friday’s Image, but this time, with an accomplished Canadian makeup artist Jamie Gould who owns Calgary’s Bobbi Brown salon. Gould has worked with Flare magazine and has done Chantel Kreviazuk’s makeup for Much Music.
“She is specialized for brides and she is going to be doing makeovers at Friday’s Image on march 13,” said an excited Fritzke.
Fritzke says she still feels star-struck after working with Callaghan, who is famous within the makeup industry.
“It is totally different to work with somebody who has been doing makeup since he was 18 – he has so much experience. I am a girl from a small town being chosen to work with a movie star. He is the king of makeup work, he knows so much. I just felt so lucky, so special,” said Fritzke.