Start by prepping your nails and ridding them of old nail polish, dirt, or hangnails. Trim and shape your nails according to your specific preferences, remembering to wipe the nail beds with acetone or rubbing alcohol to ensure that all oils are wicked away and won’t interfere with how well your polish bonds with your nails. Not only will this help you achieve a smoother, salon-worthy manicure, but by thoroughly preparing your nails, you can enjoy your manicure for much longer!

To protect your nails from potential staining and extend the life of your manicure, our experts at the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Lee’s Summit recommend applying a base coat before applying nail polish. Apply a thin layer of OPI’s GelColor Stay Strong Base Coat to each nail before curing it for 30 seconds under an LED lamp.

Next, apply a thin layer of white, nude, or pale pink polish on top of where you applied the base coat. While some clients skip this step, it’s important to first go in with a neutral, light color to help achieve the creamy, glazed look. If you want the precise Hailey Bieber-inspired manicure, opt for a coat of OPI’s “Funny Bunny” Nail Lacquer and allow it to cure for 60 seconds.

Now it’s time for the fun part—let’s add some shimmer! For the shiny, shimmery finish, apply OPI’s GelColor Stay Shiny Top Coat, allowing it to cure again for 60 seconds before wiping the nails with an alcohol pad. Finally, apply OPI Chrome Effects in “Tin Man Can” to each nail with a disposable applicator, making sure to wipe off any excess powder with a fluffy brush. If you want to spice up the chrome effect for fall, you can opt for a chocolatey color like the OPI Chrome Effects in “Bronzed By The Sun”!

You’ve spent all this time and effort recreating the perfect manicure; let’s not forget to seal in all your hard work. Apply a layer of the OPI GelColor Stay Shiny Top Coat, cure the nails for an additional 60 seconds, and your glassy glazed donut nails are ready to be shown off!

If you would like to embark on a career in cosmetology, we encourage you to learn more about the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Lee’s Summit or one of our three other locations. Start your education right away on a schedule that works for you. Get started today by speaking with a member of our Admissions team!