There are so many gorgeous nail colors out there, it can be hard to choose just one to rock for the week. But there’s one style in particular that’s recently been taking the nail world by storm: Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails.
These nails have it all—the shimmer, the versatility, the class—and the best thing about them? They’re so easy to recreate!
Below, we’ll walk you through the steps you can follow to get Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut look at home. But first, we’ll explain exactly what glazed donut nails are and help you decide whether gels or other polishes are for you.
What Are Glazed Donut Nails?
Glazed donut nails have been trending all over TikTok. With a subtle pinkish-white hue and frosty, pearlescent finish, they make your nails look as if they’re frosted with a perfect layer of icing, hence the name.
Hailey Bieber has been seen rocking this dewy, glossy look so often that fans have unofficially named the manicure after the fashion icon.
While this look is subtle, it’s classy enough to be worn to flashy events (Hailey even wore them to the MET Gala), yet understated enough for daily wear. The light, sheer pink is sure to compliment any skin tone and outfit.
Gels Vs. Other Polish
Hailey Bieber’s nails were done by her own personal stylist who revealed that she uses OPI gels (we’ll list the exact products in the steps). Going to a nail tech is the easiest way to get the best results. Gel is ideal for this look since, when done right, it lasts much longer than other polishes.
However, trying to get gels right at home can result in disaster if you’re not used to them. Using these polishes comes with a bit of a learning curve and requires special equipment like a UV lamp. If you choose to go this route, we recommend investing in a full gel polish nail kit.
Other polishes don’t require a UV lamp, but they will often take longer to dry and will chip or scratch easily, even within the first 2-3 days.
Equipment For a Home Manicure:
Whether you choose to go with gels or other polishes, if you decide to do your own nails at home, you’ll need the right equipment to get started. Here’s a list of the tools and products we recommend having handy.
Equipment for preparing your nails:
- Glass or crystal file – for shaping and smoothing the nails
- Nail buffer – for smoothing the nailbed and creating a flawless base
- Cuticle oil – for maintaining cuticle health and protecting from dehydration
- Cuticle pusher (orange wood sticks) – for cleaning up the cuticles
- Cuticle trimmer – for trimming dead skin
- Rubbing alcohol or nail dehydrator – for removing oils that ruin polish
Equipment for regular polish:
- White base coat – for priming the base and creating a more opaque finish
- Light pinkish-white polish – for adding the right color beneath the “glaze”
- Topcoat polish with a pearlescent, frosty finish – for sealing the nails
Equipment for gel polish:
- UV lamp – for curing/hardening the gel
- Base coat gel – for priming the base and creating a more opaque finish
- Pinkish-white gel polish – for adding the right color beneath the “glaze”
- Topcoat gel with a pearlescent, frosty finish – for sealing the nails
How to Do Glazed Donut Nails
Wash and Moisturize
The very first step of an at-home manicure is to thoroughly cleanse your hands. You also want to use a tool to clean the dirt out from under your nails. After your hands are clean, apply your favorite moisturizer and wait until your hands no longer feel greasy.
Clip, File, and Buff
Now it’s time to shape and prepare your nailbeds. Start by clipping your nails to your desired length.
Then, grab your file (we recommend having a glass or crystal file because it will last longer) and create a smooth and even shape. Hailey Bieber chose a stiletto shape for her look.
Grab your buffer and gently smooth your nail beds, buffing out any lines or unevenness. Rinse your nails under water or use a cotton ball to remove any dust.
Care for Your Cuticles
Using a cuticle pusher (or orange wood stick), gently push your cuticles back from your nail. Trim any excess skin with a cuticle trimmer.
Apply cuticle oil to protect your skin from dehydration and keep your nails healthy.
Remove Oil from Nailbeds
After you apply cuticle oil, you’ll want to remove any oil that has made it to the nail bed. Oil can ruin your polish.
You can use a nail dehydrator specifically formulated for manicures, or you can use rubbing alcohol, which is often the cheaper and more readily available option.
Using a cotton swab, dip it into the solution and gently remove oil from the nails, careful not to disturb the oil protecting your cuticles.
Base Coat
Once your nails are dry, you can apply your base coat. For this particular look, we recommend a white base coat. If you chose regular polishes, wait for it to dry before proceeding. If you chose gel, cure this layer under your UV lamp, which usually takes around 30 seconds to a minute.
Polish
With your nails primed, it’s time to apply your first coat of polish.
Hailey Bieber’s nail tech used OPI’s gel nail polish in Funny Bunny. This gel polish is only available for professional use, but you can choose any polish with a light pink or white hue (like OPI’s regular nail lacquer in Funny Bunny or Beetle’s Gel polish in French White). If you’re using gel, cure this first layer underneath your UV lamp. Otherwise, wait until the polish is fully dry.
When the first layer is cured, apply another layer of polish to avoid streaks. Cure this layer as well before moving on to your topcoat.
Topcoat
For the topcoat, Hailey Bieber’s nail tech used a sheer coat topped with OPI’s Tin Man Can chrome powder. However, this is only available through professional nail salons.
For an accessible alternative, any topcoat with a sheer, pearlescent white finish (like essie’s Iced Out for regular polish or the MIZHSE Aurora Glitter gel topcoats in pink or white) will give you the frosty look you’re going for.
We hope you enjoy your new gorgeous glazed donut nails! Let us know how they turned out.
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