The glazed nail trend: why is it so popular?

It’s impossible to miss the "glazed" wave taking the beauty world by storm over recent seasons. First seen in skincare routines with the famous Glazed Donut Skin trend, this ultra-luminous, glossy finish quickly captivated beauty addicts everywhere. In 2026, glazed nails remain one of the most coveted trends, now available in countless variations. How do you wear them, and which shades and nail art ideas should you try? Here is everything you need to know!

What is the Glazed nail trend?

The secret behind Glazed nails—"glazed-effect nails"—lies in a delicately pearlescent finish that catches the light and wraps nails in a silky veil. Somewhere between pearl nails, chrome shine, and an icy finish, this manicure captivates with its ability to enhance every shade: from softest nudes to boldest hues. It looks sophisticated yet effortless to wear. Made famous by model Hailey Bieber and her glazed donut manicure in 2022, the trend keeps reinventing itself season after season with fresh colour palettes and ever-more radiant finishes.

In 2026, the Glazed effect takes on pastel tones, vibrant reds, chocolate shades, and sheer jelly polishes, all while keeping its signature touch: subtle, light-reflecting pearlescent highlights.

Are glazed nails still in style?

Absolutely! Far from fading away, the Glazed effect is firmly rooted in today’s manicure trends celebrating luminous finishes, bare-nail aesthetics, and refined manicures.

Its biggest strength? Versatility. Glazed-effect nails are perfect for a wedding look, a business meeting, a summer evening, or holiday nails. Alongside trends like Milky nails, Jelly nails, or Pearl nails, the Glazed nail manicure remains one of the most requested looks in 2026.

Hailey Bieber’s Soft Pink Glazed nails by Zola Ganzorigt
(@nailsbyzola) 

How to create Glazed nails?

The magic of glazed nails lies in layering a base color of classic Green™ polish or Green Flash™ gel polish with a Glazed Effect powder or chrome powder to create an iridescent play of light across your nails.

Which nail polish shades work best for glazed nails?

Pink and white: timeless elegance

For a wedding manicure or a quiet luxury aesthetic, you can't go wrong with Hortencia, a sheer pale pink polish, or Milky White, a sheer milky white. Two ultra-soft shades that create the perfect base for delicate glazed nails.

Pastels: spring-summer freshness

Pastel nail polishes are simply stunning for a spring-summer manicure with pearlescent undertones. We particularly love Bubble, a cool light blue polish with grey undertones, Candy, a pop pink with bluish nuances, and Lisa Lilas, a 90s-inspired lilac. Paired with a Glazed powder, this trio catches the summer light beautifully.

Red and raspberry: the couture choice

Looking for a richer, bolder look? Try luscious Glazed Cherry nails, created with Red Cherry, our timeless cherry red polish, or Péonie, a vibrant raspberry pink. The contrast between deep color and pearlescent shine delivers a chic, sultry result reminiscent of luxurious velvet.

Glazed nails step by step

Achieving this showstopping effect at home is much easier than it looks. Here is the 5-step routine to follow:

#1 - Prep your nails

Essential for ensuring long-lasting polish wear, nail prep includes several key steps:

• File your nails to achieve your desired shape.
• Soften cuticles with cuticle remover and gently push them back using a cuticle pusher.
• Buff the nail surface with a prep file.
• Degrease and cleanse nails to eliminate dust and residue.

#2 - Apply a Base Coat

One thin layer of Base Coat is all it takes to protect the nail plate and help colour adhere. Use a base from the same range as your colour, and if you are doing a Green Flash™ manicure, remember to cure the Base Coat layer under an LED lamp.

#3 - Apply your Green™ or Green Flash™ colour

Apply 2 thin coats of colour, letting each coat dry thoroughly (air dry for Green™ polish, cure under LED lamp for Green Flash™ polish).

#4 - Apply the Glazed powder

Choose your Glazed powder from the 4 shades offered (Pink, White, Golden, Blue) and apply it over the colour using the dedicated applicator brush. Note that each powder creates a different sheen and opens up endless creative possibilities. Then remove any excess powder with the dusting brush and clean up around the nail.

#5 - Lock in your manicure with a Top Coat

A coat of Top Coat is essential to lock in the Glazed powder, deliver the signature glossy shine that makes the Glazed look so magical, and ensure lasting wear. Always choose a Top Coat from the same range as your polish.

💡 Pro tip: apply a few drops of Huile Verte at the end of your manicure and then regularly afterward to make your glazed nails last even longer.

Glazed effect without glazed powder: is it possible?

Good news: the answer is YES! Several polishes deliver a finish similar to glazed nails in a single step, no powder required.

Pearlescent polishes

These iridescent coloured nail polishes come close to the glazed finish, giving nails an instant boost of radiance. Highlights include:

• Moon, the ultimate pearlescent white,
• Fairy, a holographic pearly white polish,
• Satin, a semi-opaque pearlescent pale pink,
• Carnation, a pearlescent rosy beige,
• Pearlescent, a pearly beige with pink undertones,
• Gold Sand, an iridescent golden yellow,
• or even the striking Groove, a gorgeous metallic green polish.

Moon, Groove or Carnation, for quick and easy Glazed nails.

Active™ care polishes

Several polishes in the Active™ range—hybrid formulas bridging nail care and makeup—deliver a look very close to the glazed effect. Such as:

• Active Plump Aqua Glazed, a plumping treatment polish with a pearlescent finish and blue shimmer for a water shine effect. Its formula, enriched with collagen and wakame extract, helps protect nail keratin… we love it!
• Active Plump, a volumising care polish with a pearly baby pink finish. Infused with botanical collagen, it hydrates nails and leaves them visibly plumped.
• Active Bright, a perfecting treatment polish that leaves a sheer white pearlescent sheen, naturally brightening nails.
• Active Shine, an illuminating treatment polish that strengthens and restores nails while boosting radiance with a delicate pearlescent rosy beige shimmer.

Variations on glazed nails

Ultra-versatile, the glazed finish complements every look. And the same goes for all its nail art variations.

Glazed French nails

For a minimalist, ultra-elegant look, glazed nails can easily be adapted into a French manicure:

• The pastel version: over a base of pink Hortencia polish, paint a mini French tip with a different pastel shade on each nail: alternate between Lisa Lilas, Lilas, Candy, Pistachio & Mimosa. For extra precision, use the Mani Stamper. Dust on a veil of White Glazed powder and voilà: a rainbow-style pastel glazed French!
• For a vibrant pop: apply Pale Rose as a base and turquoise Riviera polish for the French tip, topped with a dusting of White Glazed powder. The ultra-trendy Pool Glazed manicure for summer 2026!
• A more couture take: using Pale Rose polish as a base and the perfect red, Red Cherry, on the free edge of the nail. For that high-shine finish, top with White Glazed powder. The result is a chic, modern twist: the Red French Glazed manicure.

Pastel, poolside, or couture, the French & glazed combo matches every vibe.
(@irasedits, @bara.hoyle, @m.o.n.a.j)

Milky Glaze

The foolproof, iconic match: Milky White polish as a base paired with White Glazed powder. An understated take on Glazed nails that taps right into the Milky nails trend—ideal for a "clean girl" aesthetic or wedding nails.

Lavender Blue Glazed

Among the top shade trends of 2026, the standout combo is undeniably lilac Lisa Lilas polish as a base topped with a sheer blue sheen using Blue Glazed powder. Subtle reflections shifting between lavender and holographic shimmer. An absolute favorite!

Glazed Jelly nails

When Jelly nails meet the Glazed trend… A different Green™ Jelly polish on each nail, all enhanced with a touch of White Glazed powder. Ultra-fresh Nail Art for the sunny season.

Today's hottest nail trends all have a glazed version.
(@look8thenails, @shanivynails)

Chocolate Glazed Donut

Inspired by new-year trends spotted on runways and social media, we're obsessed with this ultra-rich combo pairing brown Freckles polish as a base with White Glazed powder. A classy and stunning choice for a winter manicure.

Golden Green

To step off the beaten track, dare to wear Artichaut green as a base, enhanced by Golden Glazed powder. A distinctive combination with luxurious appeal. A striking YET chic result guaranteed!

Chrome Berry

One of the season's chicest combinations: Dark Pansy, a velvet red polish base topped with Blue Glazed powder. An intense pairing balancing the depth of plum with a shimmering iridescence.

Rediscover the Manucurist color palette elevated by glazed powders.
(@mani.minimalist, @shanivynails, @m.o.n.a.j)

Glazed nails prove they have evolved far beyond a fleeting viral moment. Easy to customise, they adapt to every style and every season. There is definitely a glazed look made for you, whether created with effect powder, a simple pearlescent polish, or an Active™ polish combining nail care with the latest trends. Your turn to play: pick your shade, add a hint of light, and let your nails shine like glazed donuts. Delicious!