Pic: G-Six

THE padauk tree that spawns Thingyan flowers is going to unlock its buds to welcome Myanmar’s famous Water Festival in the coming days.

How will locals prepare to celebrate the festival? Some people choose to go to monasteries and spend the holidays in a religious frame of mind, while others – especially young people – happily enjoy the festival in colourful fashions. The Myanmar Times is always checking out local styles and we have some hot tips on what will be cool for Thingyan.

Hairstyles

Only three years ago locals were introduced to a new fashion in hairstyling – braiding – which many people also call the Thingyan style. Managers and staff at beauty salons across Yangon agreed that braiding will remain popular with partygoers this year.

“Since last year we’ve had about 20 people make bookings for Thingyan braiding. The shop gets really crowded two or three months ahead of the Water Festival. A lot of people have made bookings already,” said Ma Mie of G-Six beauty spa.

The spa also holds training courses to teach people how to properly braid hair. G-Six charges K90,000 for a basic one-week course and K180,000 for a two-week advanced program.

Pic: G-Six

Ma Sanda of Spice Girls beauty salon also said braiding would be "in".
“Braiding will still be hot among water throwers this year. But people have been asking us to use different designs this year, like zigzags,” she said.

Salons charge between K8000 to K50,000 for braiding, depending on which ornaments are used, what type of thread is put in and how long the job takes.
Both salon workers said the costs for braiding hair are not high, especially considering how long it would last.

Ma Sanda gave some advice on how to keep the braids neat and clean for the whole festival.

“Just dry the hair using a blow-dryer after playing in water for the whole day. Or visit a salon to have it washed; salons will wash the hair without taking out the braids and itt will look good for many weeks.”

Ma Sanda said any length or type of hair can be braided and Spice Girls can even add extensions for short hair. She warned that extensions would increase the cost.

“We offer a 50 percent discount for our Thingyan promotion, which runs until April 12,” Ma Sanda said.

The last day to visit a salon before Thingyan begins is April 12.

“When the festival gets nearer and nearer, we get extremely busy. Sometimes we braid for the whole night to satisfy our customers’ requests,” said Ma Mie.

Funky Accessories

Funky accessories are critical supports for creating a unique look at the festival. Sunglasses as big as Victoria Beckham’s or Paris Hilton’s could be the “in” fashion and would be perfect to protect your eyes from streams of water.

Sunglasses, belts studded with semi-precious stones, chic necklaces, hats and many more funky accessories are available at Spirit Fashion Accessories on Bargaryar Street. If you spend K10,000 you will be registered as a new member of the shop. Members pick up discounts on every item they buy.