Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut manicure blossomed into existence three years ago, and we still can’t get enough of it. That pearlescent, glossy look went from a fleeting trend to a red carpet staple. It proves that a hint of shimmer makes every polish feel more elegant. Let’s see what’s happening with glazed donut nails now.
Why We’re Still in Love with Glazed Donut Nails
Glazed Donut Nails 2024 Edition
Here’s the 2024 version of glazed donut nails created for Hailey Bieber by Zola Ganzorigt for the Vanity Fair Oscars after party. This time, instead of a milky base, the artist used OPI’s Bare My Soul, a sheer pink, underneath the chrome powder.
OPI Intelli-Gel - SH4 Bare My Soul - Gel Color 0.5 oz
Chrome Nail Powder
The Og Glazed Nails
Zola Ganzorigt designed the original glazed donut nails for Hailey Bieber to wear during the Met Gala in 2022. Two years later, a beauty magazine labeled it as “the mani that broke the internet” because the trend was still going strong.
You’re likely familiar with how to do glazed donut nails, but just in case, here’s a quick overview. The look can be achieved with either gel polish or regular lacquer plus chrome powder. Moreover, if you don’t have chrome powder, it’s still possible to create the illusion of iridescence. More on that in a moment.
First, the base color should be either clear, milky, or nude if you’re going for a classic glazed nails look.
Then when using gels, to get the sleekest results, apply a no-wipe top coat or chrome base coat and cure it.
Next, polish the nails with chrome and clean the excess from the skin. The original chrome powder that Zola Ganzorigt used is a steely shade called Tin Man from OPI, and it’s a professional product. However, nowadays there are many different chrome powder shades to experiment with to create assorted colors and effects. What’s more, if you don’t have chrome powder, some have had success using shimmery eye shadow or lavender polish heavily diluted with a clear top coat.
Once you’re satisfied with the early effect, finish with a high-gloss top coat and enjoy!
Strawberry Glaze for Valentine’s Day 2025
Here’s the most recent glazed donut nails iteration created by Zola Ganzorigt. Can you guess the base shade?
Moonstone Nails for Vanessa Hudgens
Here’s a fun variation of the classic formula. This is chrome powder over cat eye polish. It looks just like the inside of a seashell or like Vanessa Hudgins has moonstones on her fingertips.
One of the reasons we love glazed donut nails is that the iridescent shimmer upgrades any look instantly. It’s simple to create and it can match any ensemble, from casual to formal.
Glazed Donut Nails at the Golden Globes
Here’s sheer artistry again for a red carpet event. Glazed nails let Cara Delevingne shine all the brighter.
Glazed Donut Nails with Peppermint Tips
Zola Ganzorigt posted that OPI’s new super gloss no-wipe top coat is her favorite go-to underneath chrome powder. It’s not surprising as OPI recently revamped their Intelli-Gel formula for better consistency, flow, and pigmentation.
The artist also used OPI’s Passion, Alpine Snow, Big Apple Red, and the ever-useful Tin Man Can chrome powder for this festive look.
OPI Gel Nail Polish - H19 Passion
Short Glazed Donut Nails
Isn’t it amazing how a little glaze turns an ordinary manicure into something special? It’s like each nail becomes a strawberry pearl.
Could you create such a look with dip powder nails? Of course! If you’re curious about what nail supplies to use for glazed dip nails, contact us by email or phone for details.
LDS Softly Sheer Collection
Ombre Glazed Nails
Not only are these French tips have an elegantly blended gradient, the chrome glaze gives them a luxurious finish. This low-key look is ideal when you don’t want to steal attention from the rest of your ensemble. It’s barely there and beautifully put together.
Gold and Pearl Accents on Glazed Donut Nails
It just feels right to see these opulent touches on glazed nails. It only takes a few moments more to add pearls and metallic accents that turn this into a royal manicure for a queen.
Opal Nails
Chrome powder, especially the Aurora powder, creates a shimmery rainbow look just like you’d see with real opals. For the silky, polished finish, it’s crucial to do meticulous nail prep followed by a high-quality chrome base coat. You won’t need to use a glossy no-wipe top coat underneath the chrome powder if you apply Lavis chrome base instead. It smooths and prepares the nails for easy powder application.
Lavis Gel Polish Chrome Base - 0.5 oz
The Differences When Using Gel Polish Vs. Nail Lacquer for Glazed Donut Nails
When using gel polish, you’ll get a longer lasting manicure by applying and curing a chrome base coat or no-wipe top coat before applying the chrome powder.
But when you’re using nail lacquer, don’t allow the base polish to completely set. The chrome powder sticks best if the surface is very slightly tacky. This is tricky because if you brush on the powder too soon, the powder will smudge or clump. The powder may also turn out uneven if the polish is too dry. Avoid that problem by not scrubbing the powder onto the polish. Instead, use the sponge-tipped applicator to pat it down first. Since not everybody can wear gel polish, mastering this technique is worth it.
Pro tip: chrome powder is like glitter for a craft project, it gets everywhere. If you don’t want to contaminate your top coat, use a separate brush instead of the one in the bottle.
Conclusion
Glazed donut nails look like a long-lasting trend. Will they endure as long as the classic French tips? We bet they will because the look is just as easy and fun to customize. This year, glazed nails fit right into all the stylish looks we’ve seen at fashion shows and big events.
Stock up on the supplies you need to create glazed donut nails and more in our store. Find all your favorite brands and save money with sales, rewards, and free shipping!
Source:
https://www.opi.com/blog/product-spotlight/pro-tips-everything-you-need-to-know-about-opis-chrome-effects