When it comes to manicure trends, there’s nothing that compares to the drool-worthy design that is glazed donut nails. When Hailey Bieber debuted the gourmand look in 2022, it became the manicure heard ’round the world. And we’re not being dramatic when we say it forever changed the way we do our nails!
What started as a viral sensation has quickly become a modern-day classic, evolving beyond its pearly white origins into the go-to look for any and every nail design. So whether you’re a day one glaze lover or a glazed donut newbie, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about rocking this nail trend in 2025 — from the current trending colors to an easy at-home tutorial. Let’s get into it!
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Are glazed donut nails still in style in 2025?
Good news for nail lovers: Glazed donut nails are still one of the top manicure trends in 2025, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. What started as an experimental manicure a few years ago — Hailey Bieber and her nail artist Zola Ganzorigt dreamed up the pearly look before the 2022 Met Gala — has become the must-have look for nail girlies everywhere. Our lives (and manicures) were forever changed!
Now so much more than a fleeting nail trend, glazed donut nails are a salon staple with dozens of drool-worthy variations, from chocolate glaze designs to glazed French manicures. Elegant, eye-catching, and totally timeless, it’s a look that will always be in style.
Are glazed donut nails the same as chrome?
With a signature shimmery finish, glazed donut nails are a type of chrome nail design — they combine iridescent chrome nail powder with sheer white polish to create that dreamy “glazed” look.
However, not all chrome nails and glazed donut manicures are exactly the same. The glazed donut nail trend is known for its soft pearly glow, while chrome manicures include everything from metallic finishes to mirror-like designs.
Check out our complete chrome nail tutorial here — including more of our fave glazed donut designs!
How To Ask For Glazed Donuts Nails At The Salon
Ready for Hailey Bieber level nails? To get glazed donut nails at the salon, ask your nail artist for sheer white gel polish with pearlescent chrome nail powder on top. You can even bring along your own pearly powder if you’re afraid your salon won’t have it — this one is super affordable on Amazon!
Looking to recreate Hailey Bieber’s exact glazed donut manicure? Zola, her nail artist, started with the OPI GelColor Stay Strong base coat before applying one coat of OPI GelColor in the shade Funny Bunny. From there, she applied a thin layer of the OPI Chrome Stay Shiny top coat, then rubbed on the OPI chrome powder in the hue Tin Man Can to create the frosted finish. For the last step, she sealed the design with another layer of top coat. And voilá: you have glazed donut nails!
P.S. Show your nail tech Zola’s tutorial video to get the exact look at the salon!
The Key Elements Of A Glazed Donut Manicure
A glazed donut manicure has two essential elements: a sheer base color and a pearly chrome finish. Yep, that’s all you need to nail (pun intended!) the glazed look!
For the original glazed donut nail trend, a translucent white nail polish is also a key element to achieving the look (like the sheer white glaze on a classic glazed donut — hence the name!).
However, this manicure trend has grown to include all different colors and designs, so you no longer have to stick to just white for your glazed mani. Add that signature shimmer to any nail polish color, nail shape, or nail art design, and you have a glistening glazed donut manicure!
How To DIY Glazed Donut Nails At Home
Want to skip the salon appointment this month? You’re in luck: the glazed donut nail trend is super easy to DIY at home, as long as you have the right tools. Here’s an easy tutorial to get the look, plus the nail essentials you need to transform your living room into your own personal salon!
Essential nail art tools: To DIY your glazed donut manicure, you’ll need a nail file + buffer, a nail lamp, a clear gel base coat, sheer gel nail polish, a protective gel top coat, and an iridescent nail powder. We also suggest snagging some UV-blocking gloves to protect your skin from the rays of the lamp. Now let’s get into the tutorial!
- Prep your nails: Before you start painting, take some time to shape your nails, buff the surfaces, and push back your cuticles. This is essential for creating a smooth surface for the polish.
- Start with a base coat: Give your glazed donut manicure maximum staying power with a clear gel base coat. Cure this under a nail lamp for 60 seconds before moving on to the next step.
- Apply your nail polish: For the classic glazed donut look, apply one or two coats of sheer gel polish in a light color like white, pink, or beige. You can also customize your mani with any color of your choice, from chocolate brown to cherry red. Just be sure to cure your nails for another 60 seconds to seal the polish.
- Add a clear top coat: Protect and seal your manicure with one coat of a clear gel top coat. You’ll also need to cure this under a nail lamp before adding the nail powder.
- Rub the chrome powder onto your nails: Using a foam eyeshadow applicator, rub a small amount of pearlescent nail powder on top of each nail until the entire surface is covered. Dust off any excess powder with a small brush.
- Apply another layer of top coat: To ensure the powder sticks to your nails, seal your glazed donut manicure with another coat of clear gel top coat. Cure this under a nail lamp to achieve that long-lasting shimmer!
And just like that, you have a glazed donut manicure that would make Hailey Bieber proud!
GWS Pro Tip! Looking for an easy DIY option that doesn’t require a UV lamp? Several nail brands have created rad products to help you recreate this dreamy trend without a salon appointment — from shimmery top coats to glazed donut glue-on nails!
The Current Color Trends We’re Seeing For This Manicure Style
Gone are the days of classic white glazed donut nails ruling the manicure world — in 2025, all the top nail color trends are getting the glaze treatment. Here are the current colors that are trending for glazed donut nails!
- Mocha brown: Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year (mocha mousse) is taking over the fashion and beauty world, and yes that includes nails! We’ve been seeing “mocha glaze” nails everywhere lately, and we can’t get enough of the cozy, classy, and shimmery look.
- Strawberry pink: Once glazed donut nails hit the scene, it wasn’t long before we got this extra-sweet variation on the trend. With a sheer pastel pink color and a shiny glaze, it’s the manicure we return to whenever the weather heats up. Because everything is better in pink!
- Chocolate brown: As much as we love a classic glazed donut, it’s the chocolate glaze that really has our hearts. Channel this chocolate brown shade into your manicure for a rich and indulgent look that will have everyone drooling.
- Classic white: It’s a classic for a reason! This sheer white color and pearly donut inspired glaze will always be on trend for nails, no matter the season or occasion. It’s the ultimate everyday manicure!
The bottom line? Glaze works on everything. Keep scrolling for more of our favorite colors and design ideas for the glazed donut nail trend!
Loving the mocha trend as much as we are? We’ve rounded up even more trendy brown nail inspo here!
Our Favorite Glazed Donut Nails To Inspire Your Next Manicure
Whether you’re after the perfect “clean girl” mani or a fresh twist on the nail trend, we’re serving up our favorite glazed donut nails to inspire your next manicure. Guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth, these glazed nails range from sweet strawberry designs to warm latte hues. There’s a little something for everyone — plus a few tips and tools to help you recreate the shimmery styles yourself. Get ready to screenshot!
1. Classic White Glazed Donut Nail Trend
photo: @knail.bar
Not to be dramatic, but this classic white glazed donut manicure might just be THE nail trend of our generation. It’s the modern day equivalent of a French manicure — it looks good with everything and stuns for all occasions, from your everyday mani to your wedding nails. Say no more!
Want to get the glazed look without the need for gel polish? For a super easy DIY, we love these donut glaze glue-on nails from Glamnetic (aptly named Hailey). And as a bonus, they’re reusable!
2. Strawberry Pink Glazed Donut Manicure
photo: @nails_by_annabel_m
Pink is the new black — or in this case, the new glazed donut nail trend! For a chic and girlie twist on the look, swap your classic white glaze for a sweet strawberry pink one, complete with sheer pink gel polish and pearlescent nail powder. Perfect if you’re currently in your strawberry girl era.
3. Chocolate Glaze Donut Nails
photo: @jesslizs
If your Krispy Kreme donut of choice is chocolate glaze rather than classic glaze, these are the nails for you! Indulge in the rich and decadent vibe of this chocolate-inspired color, which looks even more irresistible with a glazed finish (featuring a white chrome powder).
Or for a non-gel manicure, you can also add this shimmery glaze top coat over your favorite chocolate nail polish. One word: YUM.
4. Lemon Yellow Glazed Donut French Manicure
photo: @glitterbels
Get ready to light up every room you walk into with these bright yellow glazed donut nails! We love the look of a glazed French manicure, and this one kicks things up a notch with that juicy lemon hue. Bold, radiant, and totally fresh, it’s the ultimate summer manicure!
5. Mismatched Pastel Glazed Donut Nails
photo: @jesslizs
Dreamy. Ethereal. Magical. Enchanting. We could go on! For a manicure that looks like it was sprinkled with fairy dust, it doesn’t get better than these mismatched glazed donut nails.
Inspired by a manicure Zola Ganzorigt created for Kylie Jenner, this design combines pastel cat eye nail polish with iridescent nail powder (here’s a similar non-gel top coat!). Such a whimsical twist on the classic glazed donut nail trend!
6. Baby Blue Glazed Manicure
photo: @lacisundays
Baby blue is having a MOMENT this year (see: Sabrina Carpenter’s entire wardrobe), and it’s also the perfect inspo for your next glazed donut manicure. Like an icy version of the blueberry milk nail trend, it’ll instantly add a cool girl touch to your look.
7. Shimmery Beige Glazed Manicure
photo: @thebeautyassembly_
Calling all minimalists! If you’re searching for a trendy way to elevate your go-to manicure, look no further than these beige glazed donut nails. They’re equal parts subtle and eye-catching — like your bare nails, but better!
Combine an iridescent powder with a sheer beige nail polish to get the look, or stock up on these similar glue on nails for a glazed donut manicure in five minutes or less.
With an elevated + minimalist style, the glazed donut nail trend oozes clean girl vibes. Check out our full clean girl aesthetic guide to complete the chic look!
8. Brown Ombre Donut Glaze Nails
photo: @gels.byffi
Love the chocolate glazed donut nail trend, but don’t want to commit to a full brown manicure? This ombre design is the perfect in-between look!
Add just a sprinkle of chocolate to your glazed donut manicure by using a nail art sponge to blend brown polish on top of a beige base coat. Complete the look with a glazed finish, and you have an everyday mani that looks good enough to eat.
9. Magenta Pink Ombre Glazed Donut Manicure
photo: @tracynailssss
Another ombre glazed donut manicure, this time with a bright pink twist! When you can’t decide between strawberry pink nails and a minimalist donut glaze, get the best of both worlds by blending a magenta pink polish to just the tips of your manicure. Finish with a glowy glaze to tie the trendy design together.
10. Matcha Green Glazed Manicure
photo: @lacisundays
Picture this: a matcha glazed donut. Okay, who else is drooling right now?! While you may not be able to order this flavor at your local Dunkin’ Donuts, you CAN serve up these matcha-inspired glazed donut nails!
All you need is a matcha green gel polish (here’s a non-gel option!) and a reflective nail powder (or shimmery top coat!) for the ultimate crave-worthy manicure.
11. Mocha Glazed Donut Nail Trend
photo: @drenanails
Speaking of crave-worthy nails, this mocha mousse manicure is a delicious (and trendy!) take on the glazed donut nail trend. We love the mix of the high-shine shimmer with the cozy mocha hue. Pantone’s 2025 color of the year has never looked so dreamy!
A Manicure For Every Occasion? We Have A Guide For That.
Looking for more manicure inspo? As your resident nail lovers, we’ve made it our job to round up the best nail ideas for every style and occasion — from the glazed donut nail trend to the best seasonal manicure designs. Check out our complete nail hub here for more inspo!
How are you rocking the glazed donut nail trend this year? Let us know your favorite colors and trends in the comments below!
