about us

Cirque du Face FX is a company of special makeup effects artists based out of Chicago. We have experience in all types of makeup including fashion, gore, casualty simulation, character, creature, fantasy and body painting. Our studio, located in Wicker Park, is also equipped for life-casting and fabrication of custom prosthetic appliances and props. We have used our skills to bring life to many films, photo shoots, performances and other creative projects.




Crystal Portillo is an SFX makeup artist and co-founder of Cirque Du Face. Crystal has been doing makeup for over 5 years and has worked on a wide rage of projects including shorts, features, high fashion and photography. She is a highly skilled in sculpting and prosthetic work. (Crystal on IMDb)


Jessica Christopher has been writing and directing short films in Chicago for the past five years. As a member and co-founder of Cirque Du Face FX., Jessica is a trained Special Makeup Effects Artist as well as a production designer. Her first short, SKIN DEEP, is a psychological horror film weaving special effects and production design into a haunting tale of hidden childhood memories. Jessica has partnered up with Jayme Joyce a local DP, writer and editor who shares many of the same visions on storytelling and aesthetic in film. Jessica graduated from Columbia with a BA in Film and a minor in fiction writing. She has worked as a special makeup effects artist on over fifty films and has designed and built many sets for fellow filmmakers. In 2007 she produced a short called UGLY for local director Darren Cox and in 2009 she wrote, produced and co-directed FROZEN, a short horror film with Darren Cox as well. Cirque Du Face FX did the effects on both shorts. Recently Jessica has written and directed season 1 of Wet Dream, which is her first stab at writing comedy in an episodic format. She is slated to complete a feature; HE’S NOT THERE, with Jayme as their first feature film together under Joone Studios. She has also written and directed several music videos and is in the works with several different artists to complete at least two more this year. (Jessica on IMDb)





Kristin LeClair has been applying all types of makeup for over six years and specializing in FX for four. From a young age she studied many traditional arts - namely drawing, painting and sculpting - which have come to play a strong part in her trade. Her formal makeup training at Columbia College helped to shape her abilities and introduce her to the film industry. (Kristin on IMDb)