Photos: Bliss Beauty Truro and MarèetalèSave this storySave this story
When glazed donut nails first hit the trend circuit via Hailey Bieber in 2022, it was easy to see why it would become a classic. Sheer, pearlescent white? Easy-peasy, goes with everything, and can come right out of a bottle of traditional polish. But with the now-ubiquitous chrome manicures popping up all over celebrity hands, it’s no surprise that the idea behind glazed donut nails has gotten an intensified yet still totally versatile upgrade. Meet vanilla chrome nails.
And yes, vanilla chrome is yet another example of the beauty industry giving a nail trend a needlessly whimsical name. And why are so many of them sweet and edible? Glazed donut, blueberry milk, strawberry jam—at this point, if someone tells me their manicure was inspired by a photogenic bowl of oatmeal, I’ll probably just nod and smile. But behind the fanciful name, vanilla chrome is actually a pretty straightforward, extremely wearable spin on the pearlescent white manicure.
Courtesy of Ale Abella
Nail artist Natalie Minerva says vanilla chrome is so appealing because it occupies that sweet spot between neutral and interesting. “I think that white chrome is a way to have a ‘neutral’ that still has a little excitement or flair,” she says. “It’s so versatile and complementary to essentially most outfits, and even most seasons.”
Courtesy of Bliss Beauty Truro
If you’re wondering how vanilla chrome differs from glazed donut nails, Minerva has the technical answer: “Glazed donut nails in their proper form have a combination of two chromes mixed to create the look: a fusion of silver and white chrome, which gives the look slightly more reflection than using standard white pearl chrome,” she explains. She credits nail artist Zola Ganzorigt for popularizing this method and says that the Tin Can Man Glaze Chrome Effects powder from Ganzorigt’s OPI collab mimics the technique.
Courtesy of Marèetalè
Vanilla chrome, on the other hand, takes a slightly warmer approach. “Vanilla chrome is achieved by the color that lives underneath,” Minerva explains. Rather than applying the chrome over a stark white base, she prefers warm-leaning, sheer nudes so it seems less silvery. The chrome still gives nails that reflective, pearlescent quality, but the warmer-leaning foundation makes the overall effect look creamier and, well—more vanilla.
Courtesy of Emily May Beauty
For anyone wanting to recreate the look, Minerva is a fan of OPI’s Throw Me A Wink as the base polish. We also love Essie’s Crystal Ball and Le Mini Macaron’s Chantilly followed by the white chrome powder of your—or your nail tech’s—choice.
The effect is dimensional without feeling like special effects, neutral without being blah, and sophisticated enough to survive long beyond whatever the nail-trend naming committee dreams up next.
