

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The zigzagging snake braid is one of those gorgeously intricate hairstyles that looks like it took a full beauty team to accomplish when it's really just a five-step kind of 'do. Some snake braids S-shape all the way down the length of your hair, but if you're pressed for time, bookmark this handy guide for how to perfect a subtly sophisticated side version.
Begin braiding the way you would with any other style, pulling a section of hair from the side of your head and weaving three strands together.
Step 2.
Once you're almost all the way down the length of the section of hair (about three-quarters of the way down), separate the three strands.
Step 3.
Holding tightly to the middle strand with one hand, push the length of hair all the way up to the top of the braid until your hair is tightly coiled by your roots.
Step 4.
Here's where you get to adjust the braid for tightness. Slightly tug at the individual sections of the braid until the S-shaped coils are more spread out. The more you lengthen out the braid, the more visible the "snake" shape will appear.
Step 5.
Secure the braid with a bobby pin and sweep the surrounding hair over it to cover the pin.
Voilà
Your side snake braid is ready to go!
Follow along with the full video from start to finish (that you can pause and rewind as much as you need to).
GIFs by Katja Cho.
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
-
Princess Charlotte Can Do This Difficult Skill, Just Like Her Mom Princess Kate—But Kate Admits Charlotte is Better at It
“I’ll have to keep practicing now.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Pete Davidson’s Latest Romance Appears to Be with Madelyn Cline of ‘Outer Banks’ Fame
Both went through breakups this summer.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Selena Gomez Roasts Herself in TikTok Video: “Guess Who Has a Boyfriend? Not Me, Bi—”
She has been embracing her single status as of late.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 30 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 23 Best Beauty Advent Calendars of 2023
The gift that keeps on giving—literally.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender