Hailey Bieber and manicurist Zola Ganzorigt created the world's first glazed donut nails in 2022 for the Met Gala. Since then, Hailey has gone through various versions like grape, green apple, and strawberry. But the tastiest are the cocoa ones!
The good news is that you can re-create this look at home. We'll show you how to achieve glazed chocolate donut nails with gel polish or nail lacquer. Let's begin with the supplies you'll need.
Supplies Needed for Glazed Chocolate Donut Nails
You've got some wiggle room to unleash your creativity. However, there are some non-negotiable ingredients for glazed chocolate donut nails. You definitely need brown polish, a base coat, a top coat, and an iridescent powder or polish.
Our sources say that Zola Ganzorigt blended these two DND brown polish colors available in lacquer or gel:
DND DC Gel Nail Polish Duo - 319 Brown Colors - Coffee Bean
DND DC Gel Nail Polish Duo - 053 Brown Colors - Spiced Brown
She also used these products to prep the nails and create the ethereal gleaming finish:
OPI Nail Lacquer - L03 Kyoto Pearl
OPI Gel Base & Top
Of course, you can use other brown colors to achieve glazed chocolate donut nails. We love these shades because the polish is so luxurious and long-lasting:
Lavis Great Gatsby LX13 & LX14 Gel Polishes from the Coffee & Caramel Collection
Obviously, you’ll need a base coat and a top coat to make the brown polish translucent:
LDS Gel Base & Top
Or you can use a jelly gel polish that’s already translucent:
LAVIS J01-19 - Gel Polish - Honeymoon Collection
Finally, it's necessary to use chrome powder for the iridescent look. It used to be that only nail professionals could purchase it, but now everyone has access to pearlescent chrome powder:
Aurora Chrome Nail Powder - Pearl
You'll need a nail lamp if you're using gel polish. If you choose lacquer, allow enough time for each coat to dry.
Gather your manicure tools to prep your nails and cuticle oil for a salon-worthy finish. It also helps to have a container or palette to mix colors.
Now, you’re ready to get started.
How to Do Glazed Chocolate Donut Nails at Home
First, take the time to do meticulous nail prep. Trim, shape, and buff the nails. Push back the cuticles. Then, remove debris, moisture, and oil with a lint-free nail wipe and a little rubbing alcohol or acetone.
Next, apply the base coat. This step is just as crucial for nail lacquer as gel polish because it protects your nails against discoloration and makes your manicure look better and last longer. Remember to brush along the edge of the nail, but keep the polish from overflowing onto the skin. Wipe off excess. This prevents chipping and lifting.
Using Gel Polish
After you cure the base coat, it's time to mix the glazed chocolate donut color. It's a good idea to play with this beforehand and write down how many drops you used. Then, use that ratio to mix up a larger batch for all the nails at once.
The great thing about gel polish is that it won’t dry until it’s cured, so you have all the time you need to work with it.
We suggest starting with a ratio of 1 drop of color to 2 drops of top coat to achieve a semi-transparent look. It should be a sheer light brown.
Once you’re pleased with the color, apply it to the nails and cure them.
Follow with a layer of top coat and cure it. (If you have trouble with the next part, don't cure this layer completely. Leave it just a tiny bit tacky, and the chrome powder will stick better).
Now, use a makeup sponge or brush to apply chrome powder for the glaze. It may take practice and multiple applications to get the amount right. Then, you may need a fluffy brush to remove the excess powder. Don’t worry if there’s some powder on your skin – once your manicure is complete, you can wash it off.
To finish, brush on the top coat and cure it. A second layer might provide more depth and a glossier finish.
Finally, cuticle oil will give your fingertips a professional finish before you start taking photos.
With Nail Lacquer
Typically, nail lacquer doesn't last as long as gel polish. However, using a base coat and a top coat can greatly increase its lifetime.
You'll need a clear top coat to make the brown polish more sheer for the proper glazed chocolate donut effect. Start with a ratio of 2 drops of top coat to 1 drop of color. Keep track of the amount you use to replicate the result. You'll have to make a fresh batch for each hand since the lacquer goes gooey pretty quickly.
Pro tip: This is when an extra brush comes in handy so you don't have to risk cross-contaminating the polish colors. Make sure it's acetone-resistant – don't try using an acrylic brush with sable fur.
Apply the base coat and let it dry. Remember to brush the edges of the nails to protect them against chipping. Wipe off any excess polish that gets onto the skin before it dries.
Add one coat of the custom color and ensure it's completely dry before moving to the next step. (Quick-dry drops are helpful). It may smudge when applying the powder if it's not fully dry.
Apply a thin layer of chrome powder, or use an iridescent, translucent polish like OPI Kyoto Pearl. Feel free to thin the polish with the top coat to soften the effect.
Also, take note that you can use eyeshadow in place of chrome powder. It's harder to work with but may provide a similar effect.
Finish with the glossy top coat and cuticle oil for a salon-worthy finish.
Glazed Donut Nails in Other Colors
Glazed chocolate donut nails are perfect for fall and winter. But in the spring, you could try alternatives like strawberry, French vanilla, or green apple glazed. Indeed, any color is fair game. The key to this look is the glossy, iridescent "glaze" on top.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy your glazed chocolate donut manicure! We're glad we stock the supplies you need to make your nails beautiful. Check out our deals and see what else is trending. Remember, we offer free shipping on orders over $100.