Hailey Bieber’s ‘Glazed Donut’ Nails: How to Get the Look at Home

I’ll be honest — I was late to the whole “glazed donut nails” trend. But the second I saw that photo of Hailey Bieber’s hands (you know the one — shiny, sheer, and glowing like literal glass?), I knew I had to try it.

There’s just something about that look. It’s clean. Feminine. Fresh. The kind of manicure that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together — even if you’re still wearing pajama bottoms under your Zoom outfit.

So I decided to recreate it myself at home. No salon. No fancy tools. Just a little DIY magic, a lot of trial and error, and a few Amazon finds that totally nailed the look.

If you’ve been eyeing this trend but aren’t sure where to start, let me walk you through exactly what worked for me — step by step.


How to Get the Look at Home

✨ First, What Are Glazed Donut Nails?

Imagine a milky, sheer base topped with the softest pearlescent chrome shimmer — like a freshly glazed Krispy Kreme. It’s delicate. Reflective. Almost edible-looking. Hailey made it viral, but it works on literally everyone.

What I love most:

  • It gives off that effortless “clean girl” vibe

  • It’s neutral enough for everyday, but never boring

  • It flatters every skin tone (really!)


🧰 What You’ll Actually Need (Everything I Used)

I didn’t want to buy a whole UV lamp setup, so I tried a mix of regular polish and one simple chrome powder trick. Here’s what worked best for me:

Step 1: Nail Prep (Don’t Skip This!)

If your nails aren’t prepped, nothing looks right. Trust me.

What I used:

  • Nail buffer + file

  • Cuticle pusher

  • Base coat (I love Essie Here to Stay — makes everything last longer)

🛍 Optional but helpful: I grabbed the Olive & June Tool Set, which makes me feel like a pro even though I’m very much not one.


Step 2: The Perfect Milky Base

This part was tricky — I didn’t want anything too white or too pink. I needed that translucent, glossy vibe.

After a few fails, I landed on:

  • OPI Funny Bunny (a soft, milky white that isn’t chalky)

  • Essie Ballet Slippers (super subtle pink)

  • Zoya Adel (clean ivory sheer)

Tip: Apply two thin coats, not one thick one. It makes a huge difference in how smooth it looks.


Step 3: The Glaze (aka the Chrome Powder Moment)

Here’s where the magic happens.

Most tutorials use gel polish + UV lamps to get the chrome powder to stick — but I figured out a hack for regular polish that still works (and costs way less).

I used:

  • Born Pretty Pearl Chrome Powder

  • A cheap sponge eyeshadow brush (yes, really!)

If you’re using gel:

  1. Apply a no-wipe gel top coat and cure.

  2. Rub chrome powder gently in circles.

  3. Seal with another layer of gel top coat and cure again.

No-Gel Hack (what I did):

  • Let your second coat of polish get almost dry, so it’s slightly tacky.

  • Gently press in the powder with the sponge brush.

  • Finish with a glossy top coat.

It’s not exactly the same as gel, but the result is stunning — and totally wearable.


Step 4: That Glassy, Glossy Finish

I wanted my nails to look like glass — like light bouncing off a sugar glaze.

These two top coats made it happen:

  • Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (my holy grail)

  • Essie Gel Couture Top Coat (if you want something longer-lasting)


💡 Little Tips That Make a Big Difference

  • Keep your nail shape soft: I went with a short almond, and it instantly felt more “model-off-duty.”

  • Use cuticle oil daily: Hailey always says hydrated nails are her secret. I keep one in my bag now.

  • Take your nail selfie near a window: Natural light = instant glow. Hold a coffee cup or wear gold jewelry for extra ✨clean girl energy✨.


Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a $200 Salon Visit

Honestly? I thought this look would be impossible without a celebrity nail artist. But it turns out, with a little patience (and the right polish), you can totally DIY it at home — for less than the price of lunch.

Now every time I look at my nails, I smile. They’re simple, shiny, and make me feel like I’ve got it all together… even when I don’t.


If you try this glazed donut look, tag me or send pics — I’d love to see your version. 💅

 
How to Get the Look at Home

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How to Get the Look at Home