Glazed Donut Nails: 8 Stunning Looks and How to Get Them

Try 8 stunning glazed donut nails — pearl chrome, strawberry glaze, and expert tips to recreate the iconic Hailey Bieber look right now.

Introduction

The first time I saw glazed donut nails on my feed, I honestly couldn’t believe they were real nails. That luminous, pearl-like shine — the way the light bounced off them like actual glaze on a freshly made donut — I needed them immediately. I booked a salon appointment the next day, and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

What started as a spontaneous nail moment before the 2022 Met Gala — dreamed up by Hailey Bieber and her celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt — has become one of the most enduring and universally beloved manicure trends in recent memory. Ganzorigt herself says,, It was so spontaneous and came out so gorgeous that it went viral.” Since it looks great on nails of any length or shape, it has quickly become a fan favorite.

In this guide, I’m sharing 8 of the most stunning glazed donut nail variations you need to try, plus a full step-by-step tutorial for recreating the look at home — with both gel and regular polish options so everyone can get in on it.

What Exactly Are Glazed Donut Nails?

Before I get into the 8 variations, let me explain what glazed donut nails actually are — because there’s more to them than just picking up a shimmery polish.

With a signature shimmery finish, glazed donut nails are a type of chrome nail design — they combine iridescent chrome nail powder with sheer white polish to create that dreamy “glazed” look. The effect mimics the slick, smooth layer of glaze on a donut — translucent, luminous, and genuinely mesmerizing in real life.

Bieber’s original glazed donut nails boasted a sheer coating of OPI Gel Color in Funny Bunny polish topped with OPI Chrome Effects in Tin Man Can for a shiny and glistening effect. That combination is still the gold standard, but as I’ll show you in these 8 variations, the look has evolved beautifully since then — and there are now options for every budget, every skill level, and every nail aesthetic.

How to Do Glazed Donut Nails: Step-by-Step

I’ve done these at home more times than I can count, and here’s the process that consistently gives me the best results. There are two methods, depending on whether you use gel or regular polish.

Method 1: The Chrome Powder Gel Method (Recommended)

This is the method that gets closest to Hailey Bieber’s original look. The Chrome Powder method delivers a more intense, mirror-like shimmer — this is the recommended option for maximum glaze.

What you need:

• A clear or milky-white gel base coat
• Sheer white or nude gel polish (OPI Funny Bunny or similar)
• A non-wipe gel top coat
• Pearlescent chrome powder
• A foam eyeshadow applicator brush
• A UV/LED lamp

Step-by-step:

1. Prep your nails — file, shape, push back cuticles, and buff the surface lightly. Apply a pH bond or nail primer if you tend to get lifting.
2. Apply your base coat nails with a clear rubber base gel and cure.
3. Apply sheer white polish — use one thin coat of a milky sheer white polish like OPI Funny Bunny. Cure under the lamp.
4. Apply non-wipe top coat — you need to use a non-wipe top coat for this step for the chrome to stick. It needs a non-sticky surface, or else it will likely clump and look weird. Cure for 60 seconds.
5. Apply chrome powder — using your foam eyeshadow applicator, rub the pearlescent chrome powder onto each nail in firm circular motions. Build until the whole nail is covered with that glazed shine.
6. Dust off excess — use a clean, fluffy brush to gently remove any loose powder from around the nail.
7. Seal with top coat — apply a final layer of gel top coat and cure. Your glazed donut nails are done.

Method 2: Regular Polish (No Lamp Needed)

The key to recreating the look with regular nail polish is OPI Nail Lacquer in “Kyoto Pearl.” The pearlescent white shade gives the same shimmery effect as the chrome powder and gel combo. Mix it with a clear top coat for a softer, more understated version of the glazed finish.

Alternatively, use a sheer white polish as your base and top it with a pearl or iridescent top coat like Essie’s “Iced Out” or the viral Glisten & Glow Top Coat. This method doesn’t require a lamp and works perfectly for a quick at-home glaze without any chrome powder.

8 Stunning Glazed Donut Nail Variations to Try

Here are the 8 glazed donut nail variations I personally love most — each one a different take on the same irresistible glaze concept.

1. The Classic Pearl White Glaze

This is the original. The one that started everything. A sheer milky white base with a pearlescent silver chrome powder on top — it’s simple, luminous, and genuinely impossible to tire of. To get this look at the salon, ask your nail artist for sheer white gel polish with pearlescent chrome nail powder on top.

I wear this variation more than any other, and I’m convinced it’s one of those rare nail looks that genuinely goes with every single outfit. Whether I’m in jeans, a work dress, or a formal gown, classic pearl-glazed donut nails always look right. They photograph beautifully, too — there’s something about the way they catch light in photos that makes your hands look genuinely stunning.

2. Strawberry Glazed Donut Nails

“My current favorite is the strawberry glazed donut nails, which is the sheer pink version,” Zola Ganzorigt herself shares. Coming from the nail artist who invented the original look, that endorsement means everything.

For a chic and girlie twist on the look, swap your classic white glaze for a sweet strawberry pink one, complete with sheer pink gel polish and pearlescent nail powder. I tried this version last summer, and the response was genuinely overwhelming — people kept stopping to ask about my nails. The pink base gives the chrome a warmer, rosier quality that’s particularly flattering on a wide range of skin tones.

3. Chocolate Glazed Donut Nails

If your Krispy Kreme donut of choice is chocolate glaze rather than classic glaze, these are the nails for you. A rich chocolate-inspired base looks even more irresistible with a white chrome powder glaze finish.

I love this variation for autumn and winter when the classic pearl can start to feel a little stark and cool. A deep chocolate brown base under a white chrome powder transforms into something that genuinely looks like the most beautiful melted chocolate glaze you’ve ever seen. Use a caramel or warm brown gel polish as your base and apply the standard pearlescent chrome on top for this stunning color combination.

4. Lavender Chrome Glaze

Nail artist Zola Ganzorigt created several variations of the original sheer white look, including neon chrome and lavender chrome iterations. The lavender version is absolutely stunning — a soft, sheer purple base with a violet or silver chrome powder creates a dreamy, almost otherworldly finish.

I find the lavender glaze particularly beautiful for spring — it’s fresh, romantic, and just different enough from the classic pearl to feel genuinely special. Use a very sheer lilac or lavender gel polish as your base so the chrome can still create that translucent, glowing quality that defines glazed donut nails.

5. French Glazed Donut Nails

The French manicure meets the glazed donut trend — and the result is genuinely one of the most elegant things I’ve ever seen on anyone’s fingertips. Apply a standard glazed pearl base across the entire nail, then add a slightly thicker chrome application along the tip to create the French effect.

The glazed French manicure is one of the most beloved variations among the dozens of drool-worthy styles that have emerged from the original glazed donut trend. It’s elevated, it’s sophisticated, and it lasts beautifully because the tipped chrome application doesn’t show wear as obviously as a full-nail chrome application sometimes does.

6. Neon Chrome Glaze

For those who want their glazed donut nails to turn heads genuinely, the neon chrome glaze takes the formula and cranks up the intensity. A sheer neon base — think sheer hot pink, vivid coral, or electric lime — topped with a matching or contrasting chrome creates a high-energy glazed effect that’s more fashion-forward than the classic version.

This is my pick for festivals, vacations, and any occasion where I want my nails to be the most interesting thing in the room. The neon base glows most intensely under lights, while the chrome keeps it looking polished rather than just bright. It’s bold, it’s fun, and it still has that signature glazed quality that makes the trend so irresistible.

7. Rose Gold Glazed Donut Nails

A sheer nude or blush base with a rose gold chrome powder creates one of the warmest and most universally flattering glazed donut nail variations available. The rose gold has a romantic, luxurious quality that the cooler silver chrome doesn’t quite replicate — and it looks especially beautiful on medium and deeper skin tones.

I wore this variation to a wedding and got more compliments on my nails than I’ve ever gotten before. The rose gold chrome catches candlelight and warm lighting most extraordinarily, creating that lit-from-within glow that makes glazed donut nails so iconic. Use a peach-nude or soft blush gel as your base for the most flattering result.

8. The Glazed Donut Press-On Option

This one is for anyone who loves the look, but either doesn’t have a lamp or just wants a quick, commitment-free version. For a super easy DIY, glue-on glazed donut nails — like Glamnetic’s aptly named “Hailey” style — deliver the look without any gel or chrome powder, and as a bonus,s they’re reusable.

I’ve used press-ons for glazed donut nails before events when I simply didn’t have time to do a full gel manicure, and the quality has gotten genuinely impressive. The chrome is pre-applied, the glaze effect is real, and they last remarkably well for a press-on style. It’s the laziest and most satisfying way to participate in this trend.

Glazed Donut Nails: Best Products to Use

Here’s a quick reference guide for all the products I’ve personally found most effective for glazed donut nails:

Product Type	Recommended Options	Purpose
Base gel polish	OPI GelColor Funny Bunny	Classic milky-white glazed base
Milky pink base	LeChat Perfect Match “Babydoll”	Strawberry-glazed variation
Pearlescent gel	OPI Nail Lacquer “Kyoto Pearl”	Regular polish method
Chrome powder	OPI Chrome Effects “Tin Man Can”	The original Hailey Bieber chrome
Non-wipe top coat	Kokoist Ultra Glossy Non-Wipe	Essential for chrome adhesion
Shimmer polish	Essie “Iced Out” quick-dry top coat	No-lamp alternative
Iridescent top coat	Glisten & Glow Top Coat	Sealing the glazed finish
Press-on option	Glamnetic “Hailey”	Quick, reusable glaze option

Tips to Make Your Glazed Donut Nails Last Longer

I’ve learned these lessons the hard way, and I want to save you the same frustration. Here are the tips that genuinely extended the life of my glazed manicure:

• Always use a non-wipe top coat before chrome — this is the most common mistake beginners make, and it’s the reason chrome powder clumps or fails to adhere properly
• Prep meticulously — push back cuticles fully, buff the surface, and apply a pH bond; the chrome powder will chip from the edges first if your prep is rushed.
• Apply chrome in firm circular motions — light dabbing won’t build up the glaze effect; you need confident, circular pressure with the foam applicat..or
• Seal with an extra layer of top coat after the chrome — this locks the powder in and significantly extends how long the glaze stays chip-free
• Wear gloves for cleaning and dishes — chrome is more vulnerable to chemicals and water than regular polish, and protecting it extends your manicure dramatically.
• A protective gel layer applied after the chrome powder has been a game changer for keeping this manicure on longer — apply one thin coat of clear gel and cure before your final top coat for maximum longevity

Conclusion

Glazed donut nails earned their iconic status for a very good reason — they’re genuinely one of the most beautiful, versatile, and wearable nail looks ever created. These 8 variations I’ve shared prove that the original concept has only gotten better with time, expanding from Hailey Bieber’s classic pearl into a full spectrum of stunning glazed interpretations.

Whether I’m in the mood for the timeless classic pearl, the romantic strawberry glaze, the moody chocolate version, or a quick press-on fix before a last-minute event, there’s a version in this list of 8 that always works. I hope you find yours too, and that your first attempt at glazed donut nails gives you the same obsession-worthy result that made me fall in love with this trend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What are glazed donut nails?

Glazed donut nails are a chrome nail trend popularized by Hailey Bieber and her nail artist Zola Ganzorigt before the 2022 Met Gala. They feature a sheer milky white or nude gel polish base topped with pearlescent chrome nail powder, creating a luminous, glassy finish that mimics the glossy surface of a freshly glazed donut. The look works on all nail lengths and shapes and has since expanded into numerous color variations, including strawberry pink, chocolate brown, lavender, and rose gold.

Q2: Can I do glazed donut nails at home without a UV lamp?

Yes — absolutely. The easiest no-lamp method is to use OPI Nail Lacquer in “Kyoto Pearl” or mix a pearlescent polish with a clear top coat for a softer glaze effect. You can also use a shimmer top coat like Essie’s “Iced Out” over a sheer white polish base. For an even easier option, pre-glazed press-on nails from brands like Glamnetic deliver the look instantly without any polish or tools required.

Q3: Why won’t my chrome powder stick to my nails?

Chrome powder requires a non-wipe gel top coat to adhere properly. If you apply it over a regular top coat with a sticky inhibition layer, the powder will clump, look uneven, or simply not stick at all. Thoroughly cure your non-wipe top coat before applying the chrome, and use firm circular motions rather than light dabbing. This single step is the most common reason chrome powder fails to create the proper glaze effect.

Q4: How long do glazed donut nails last?

With proper prep and a good sealing top coat, glazed donut nails typically last 2 to 3 weeks as a gel manicure. The chrome powder itself is the most vulnerable part of the look — it can chip from the edges if you skip the final sealing top coat layer. Wearing gloves during cleaning, applying a protective gel layer over the chrome before your final top coat, and avoiding picking at the edges will all extend the life of your manicure significantly.

Q5: Which of the 8 glazed donut nail variations is best for beginners?

I’d recommend starting with either the classic pearl white glaze or the press-on option from this list of 8. The classic pearl is the most straightforward to execute at home — the sheer white base is forgiving of minor imperfections, and the silver chrome reads beautifully even with slightly uneven application. The press-on option is even simpler: apply glue, press on, and you have stunning glazed donut nails with zero technique required.