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.
✨ 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:
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It gives off that effortless “clean girl” vibe
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It’s neutral enough for everyday, but never boring
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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:
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Nail buffer + file
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Cuticle pusher
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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:
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OPI Funny Bunny (a soft, milky white that isn’t chalky)
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Essie Ballet Slippers (super subtle pink)
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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:
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Born Pretty Pearl Chrome Powder
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A cheap sponge eyeshadow brush (yes, really!)
If you’re using gel:
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Apply a no-wipe gel top coat and cure.
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Rub chrome powder gently in circles.
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Seal with another layer of gel top coat and cure again.
No-Gel Hack (what I did):
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Let your second coat of polish get almost dry, so it’s slightly tacky.
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Gently press in the powder with the sponge brush.
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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:
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Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (my holy grail)
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Essie Gel Couture Top Coat (if you want something longer-lasting)
💡 Little Tips That Make a Big Difference
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Keep your nail shape soft: I went with a short almond, and it instantly felt more “model-off-duty.”
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Use cuticle oil daily: Hailey always says hydrated nails are her secret. I keep one in my bag now.
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Take your nail selfie near a window: Natural light = instant glow. Hold a coffee cup or wear gold jewelry for extra ✨clean girl energy✨.
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. 💅
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