If 2023 was the year of “Glazed Donut” everything — nails, hair, skin — then 2025 is the year it gets a sun-kissed update. Glazed Butter Nails are the latest manicure moment that marries the pearlescent shimmer of glazed donut nails with the warm, creamy cheer of butter yellow. It’s a look that’s as sweet as it is sophisticated, and it’s quickly becoming the go-to nail trend for those who want to shine subtly — with a twist of sunshine.
What Are Glazed Butter Nails?
Picture this: the soft, dreamy shimmer of glazed donut nails meets the pastel hue of butter yellow. The result? A subtle yet chic manicure that looks like your fingertips were dipped in sunshine and finished with a glassy glow. It’s playful, it’s polished, and it’s the kind of quiet luxury that still makes a statement.
This look plays with tone and texture: the creamy pastel of butter yellow acts as a fresh base while the glazed topcoat — whether sheer, pearlescent, or slightly iridescent — adds a luminous finish that catches the light with every movement.
Why It’s Trending
Two words: feel-good beauty. (Or maybe that's three depending on how you look at it.) Butter yellow evokes happiness, optimism, and the carefree ease of summer days, while the glazed finish keeps things elegant and modern. Together, they offer a look that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking — like sunshine wrapped in silk.
Much like the glazed donut trend that’s dominated since Hailey Bieber first debuted it, glazed butter nails are universally flattering, wearable for any occasion, and (best of all) achievable at home.
How to Get the Look
What You’ll Need:
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A butter yellow nail polish (think: creamy, soft yellow — not neon)
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A sheer or pearlescent topcoat (bonus if it has a golden or champagne shift)
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Nail file and buffer
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Cotton swabs & nail polish remover
The Steps:
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Prep your nails by filing and buffing for a smooth, glossy-ready canvas.
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Apply 1-2 coats of butter yellow polish — let each coat dry completely.
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Once dry, apply a thin layer of pearlescent or iridescent topcoat. This is what gives it that signature glazed sheen.
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Want extra shine? Go in with a second coat of topcoat.
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Clean up edges with a cotton swab dipped in remover, and admire your golden-hour fingertips.
Pro Tips:
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For a more subtle glow, opt for a sheer champagne topcoat like ILNP in Soft Café Latte.
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Want a more glassy pop? Choose a bolder iridescent topcoat with hints of gold or pink shift.
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Try a matte-glossy contrast: matte butter yellow base with glossy glazed tips for a modern twist.
Our Favorite Glazed Butter Pairings:
Base:
essie “sunny business”
Londontown Lakur in "Buttercup”
OPI “Blinded by the Ring Light”
Topcoat:
essie Gel Couture Topcoat
ILNP “Soft Café Latte”
OPI "Glazed N' Amused"
Why You’ll Love It
Glazed butter nails are the perfect in-between: not too bold, not too bare — just the right amount of charm with a whisper of shimmer. They capture the romance of spring, the brightness of summer, and the enduring elegance of glazed finishes.
Whether you’re dressing up for brunch or lounging poolside, this trend pairs effortlessly with gold jewelry, linen sets, and your favorite oversized sunnies.
So go ahead — dip your nails in sunshine and shine on.
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