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    1. Beauty
    2. Nails

    Julia Fox's Circus-Themed Manicure Includes Googly Eyes, Optical Illusions, and Other Treasures

    There's a lot going on here but I'm into it.

    Danielle Jackson's avatar
    By Danielle Jackson
    Published 19 September 2025 In News

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    a white woman with dark hair wearing a white hat with black polka dots and a pink feature
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    One word I know will never be used in the same sentence as Julia Fox is "boring," especially when it comes to her red carpet looks these days.

    On Sept. 17, the actress attended the Hollywood premiere of HIM, the Jordan Peele-produced horror film she's starring in alongside Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, and she showed up wearing a white midi skirt set with black polka dots and a matching hat. But the whimsical nature of her look didn't just stop at the head-to-toe polka dots—she also wore thin brows, styled her hair in tight spiral curls, and pulled the whole look together with a colorful, circus-themed manicure.

    A close-up photo of Fox's hands on the red carpet show that her nails were a medium length and filed into a square shape. The manicure itself was so complex that each nail featured a different design, including a drawing of a clown mask on her left middle finger, a red, 3D bow with white polka dots on her right ring finger, a striped, a carnival tent design on her left pinky finger, and googly eyes glued to her right pointer finger.

    a close up image of a white woman wearing a circus-themed manicure and a white dress with black polka dots

    Julia Fox's circus-themed manicure at the 'HIM' premiere.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    This look is slightly different from the red carpet glam Fox has been serving over the summer. Back in June, she attended a Marc Jacobs fashion show wearing gothic makeup, including a burgundy smokey eye, thin brows, gray lipstick, and wet-and-wavy hair. Shortly after that, she doubled down on the gothic look while filming a guest appearance for CBS's Elsbeth in New York City.

    At this point, it's safe to assume that Fox will never pass up on the opportunity to make a statement with her red carpet beauty looks. Read ahead to shop everything you'll need to create a similar, circus-themed manicure at home.

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    Cirque Colors - Ready-To-Wear Nail Art Stickers - Tough Love

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    Add some whimsy to any plain manicure with a few nail decals.

    Paintlab Glazed Press-On Manicure Kit

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    When all else fails, grab a press-on nail kit. This one features the most popular design of the summer: polka dots.

    Dotting Tool & Nail Art Liner Brush Duo

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    Dotting Tool & Nail Art Liner Brush Duo
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    Make sure you have a nail art brush or dotting tool (or both) on hand to make drawing complex designs easier.

    Paint the Town Red

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    Paint the Town Red
    $11
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    This vibrant red is useful for recreating simple circus-themed designs like stripes and the optical illusion that was on one of Fox's fingers.

    Green Sunshine Top Coat

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    Once everything is painted and designed to your liking, add a top coat to ensure everything lasts.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

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    Danielle Jackson
    Danielle Jackson
    Social Links Navigation
    Former Senior Beauty Writer

    Danielle Jackson is the former senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.

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