Glazed donut nails are one of the most searched nail trends of recent years—and for good reason. The look is sheer, luminous, and surprisingly wearable for every occasion. Made famous by Hailey Bieber, this glossy, pearl-white manicure has taken over social media and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.
The best part? You can recreate glazed donut nails at home with the right products. At Gelous, we've developed two tried-and-tested methods: one using Gel Nail Polish alone, and another that incorporates Chrome Powder for an even more intense glazed finish. Read on for our complete step-by-step guide.
Method 1: How to Create Glazed Donut Nails Using Chrome Powder
This is our recommended method for achieving the most authentic glazed donut nail look. White Glaze Chrome Powder delivers the soft, mirror-like luminosity that made Hailey Bieber's manicure so iconic—and it's easier to apply at home than you might think.
Products Needed
- Clear Rubber Base Coat: Keeping the base clear allows your natural nail to subtly show through the white-toned glaze, creating a more authentic glazed donut finish. It also smooths, strengthens, and thickens the nail with flexible rubber-like qualities.
- Clear Builder Gel: Enhances your natural nail while adding thickness and strength for a longer-lasting result.
- Swan Lake Gel Nail Polish: The classic milky-white, semi-opaque shade that creates the elegant semi-transparent base layer.
- White Glaze Chrome Powder: The star of this method. This Chrome Powder delivers the soft, luminous shimmer that makes glazed donut nails so iconic.
- Top Coat: Seals the Chrome Powder and adds a brilliant final shine.
Get everything you need with our Sugar Glaze Polish & Chrome Pack, which bundles Swan Lake and White Glaze Chrome Powder together—with the option to add Clear Builder Gel.
Step 1: Prep Your Nails
Good nail prep is the foundation of any long-lasting gel manicure. Start by filing your nails into an almond shape using Nail Clippers to cut the sides, then filing each side towards the centre with the fine side of the Gelous Nail File. Keep the filing even on both sides.
Next, gently buff the nail bed with the fine side of the Nail File to create a matte surface for the first layer of Gel Nail Polish to adhere to. Buff right up to the cuticles and sides to prevent lifting. Wipe nails down with a Lint Free Wipe moistened with Gel Nail Polish Remover, then apply pH Bond and Nail Primer. pH Bond dehydrates the nail bed, removing natural oils and moisture—thorough dehydration is especially important for Chrome Powder, as any residual oils will prevent the powder from adhering evenly. Nail Primer then primes the nail surface to ensure maximum adhesion.
Step 2: Apply Your Gel Nail Polish & Chrome Powder
When applying every coat, always cap the free edge of the nail and leave a small gap between the Gel Nail Polish and your cuticle. If any polish touches your skin, remove it with a Nail Art Brush, Remover Pen, or Orangewood Cuticle Stick before curing.
- Apply a thin layer of Clear Rubber Base Coat and cure for 60 seconds under your UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp.
- Apply 1–2 coats of Clear Builder Gel, curing for 60 seconds after each coat. For longer nails, build an apex and cure using the low heat mode. Watch our Builder Gel Application Tutorial for detailed guidance.
- Apply 1 thin coat of Swan Lake Gel Nail Polish and cure for 60 seconds.
- Apply Top Coat and cure for 60 seconds.
- Thoroughly wipe your nail with a Pure Acetone Wipe.
- Using an Application Sponge, firmly rub White Glaze Chrome Powder onto each nail beginning at the centre and moving outward.
- For the smoothest result, first dust away any excess Chrome Powder with the Dust Brush. Then flip to the clean side of your Application Sponge and buff the nail again to press down any loose particles and eliminate excess shimmer.
- Lightly file the free edge at a 45-degree angle, targeting only the underside of the free edge, then dust with the Dust Brush.
- Apply two thin coats of Top Coat, capping the free edge and curing after each coat.
- Wipe any remaining Chrome Powder off your skin using a Lint Free Wipe moistened with Gel Nail Polish Remover, or a Pure Acetone Wipe.
Want to see the full process in action? Watch our Glazed Donut Nails video tutorial on YouTube.
Method 2: How to Create Glazed Donut Nails Using Gel Nail Polish Only
Don't have Chrome Powder yet? You can still achieve a beautiful glazed donut effect using Gel Nail Polish alone. This method layers a milky-white base with a shimmer shade to create a soft, pearlescent finish. It's also a great entry point if you're new to at-home gel manicures—and once you've tried it, upgrading to the Chrome Powder method is an easy next step.
Products Needed
- Clear Rubber Base Coat: Keeps the base neutral so the milky-white polish shades can do the work. It also smooths, strengthens, and thickens flaky, brittle, or splitting nails, with enhanced rubber-like flexibility.
- Clear Builder Gel: Adds thickness and strength without altering the colour of your manicure. Builder Gel is harder and thicker than standard Gel Nail Polishes, reducing nail flexibility and bending so your manicure lasts longer.
- Swan Lake Gel Nail Polish: This milky-white, semi-opaque shade delivers the stunning semi-transparent white effect that defines glazed donut nails.
- Snow Place Like Home Gel Nail Polish: A semi-opaque shimmer that adds slightly more coverage while creating that essential white chrome-like glazed effect.
- Top Coat: Seals everything in place and amplifies the final shine for a flawless finish.
Steps
- Prep your nails, apply pH Bond and Nail Primer, and build your base following the same steps as Method 1.
- Apply 1–2 coats of Swan Lake Gel Nail Polish, curing for 60 seconds after each coat.
- Apply 1–2 thin coats of Snow Place Like Home Gel Nail Polish, curing for 60 seconds after each coat.
- Finish with Top Coat and cure for 60 seconds.
Everything You Need to Know About Glazed Donut Nails
Still have questions? We've answered the most common ones below.
What are glazed donut nails?
Glazed donut nails are a nail trend popularised by Hailey Bieber, characterised by a sheer, milky-white base with a high-gloss, pearl-like shine—resembling the glossy surface of a glazed donut. The look is soft, luminous, and works on all nail lengths and shapes.
What nail shape is best for glazed donut nails?
Hailey Bieber famously wears her glazed donut nails in an almond shape, which helps elongate the fingers and show off the sheer, pearlescent finish beautifully. However, the look works just as well on oval, round, or even shorter square nails. The glazed effect is all about the colour and finish, not the shape.
Which method gives a better glazed donut effect—gel polish or chrome powder?
Both methods look gorgeous, but they give slightly different results. The Chrome Powder method delivers a more intense, mirror-like shimmer that's closest to Hailey Bieber's original manicure—this is our recommended option for maximum glaze. The Gel Nail Polish method gives a softer, more understated finish that's great for everyday wear.
Do I need a UV lamp for glazed donut nails?
Yes—both methods require a UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp to cure your Gel Nail Polish.
How long do glazed donut nails last?
With proper prep, a Gelous glazed donut gel manicure typically lasts over two weeks. Using Clear Builder Gel as part of your gel manicure can extend this even further, as it adds strength and reduces the likelihood of chips and breaks.
How do I remove glazed donut gel nails?
Gel Nail Polish should always be removed properly—never peeled or picked off, as this can damage the natural nail. Visit our Gel Nail Polish Removal Guide for step-by-step instructions on both the soak-off and e-file methods.
Why isn't my Chrome Powder adhering evenly?
This is almost always caused by the inhibition layer not being fully removed. Make sure you thoroughly wipe the Top Coat with a Pure Acetone Wipe before applying Chrome Powder. Also check that you're using firm, circular motions with the Application Sponge—light dabbing won't build up the chrome effect.
Why is my gel manicure lifting at the edges?
Lifting usually comes down to nail prep. Check that you've buffed right to the edges, applied pH Bond and Nail Primer, and capped the free edge with every coat. Also ensure there's no Gel Nail Polish sitting on the skin or cuticle—this is a very common cause of lifting.
Your glazed donut nails are ready—and we think Hailey would approve. Shop everything you need at Gelous, or grab our Sugar Glaze Polish & Chrome Pack for the full glazed effect in one go. We'd love to see your results—tag us on Instagram @gelous.co!
