A braid bun blend hair tutorial courtesy of Mario Russo, owner of Salon Mario Russo

If you love braids and buns, you’ll love this hair tutorial courtesy of Mario Russo, owner and lead stylist of Salon Mario Russo in Boston. The great news is, you don’t have to choose between the two! It’s the classy braid bun blend. This easy to re-create side-bun hairstyle is perfect for upcoming holiday parties, girl’s night out or any time you want to look effortlessly fabulous. Mario Russo has provided the following step-by-step hair tutorial.

How to: The Braid Bun Blend

Step 1: Blow dry wet hair to its smoothest

Step 2: Part hair slightly off to the side and French braid the hair starting from the temple of the side with less hair. Braid hair all the way around your head until you reach the spot just beneath the ear on the other side. Then, tie the end of the braid with a clear elastic.

Step 3: Take the side of the hair that has not yet been braided, and use a curling iron to curl the hair away from the face. Make sure to keep these curls loose so they look wavy, and beachy.

Step 4: Take a few random pieces from the curled side and form a loose twist over the ear. This is the ear that’s opposite the side of the head where you started your braid.