Ahhhh, the tween hair routine: part beauty pageant, part WWE match, all chaos.
You thought brushing her hair as a toddler was a challenge? Welcome to round two. Only now, she has opinions, a Pinterest board, and the dramatic flair of a soap opera star.
It's not just hair. It's identity.
That ponytail placement? A statement. The parting? Strategic. The messy bun? Must look messy… but not too messy. There's an art to this madness. And while she's perfecting her look, many young girls are struggling with low self-esteem — making it even more important that we build confidence through every little moment, including how she feels getting dressed for sport or school.
Common hairbrush phrases heard in our home:
- "OW! You're literally ripping my scalp off."
- "It's not even tangled, I swear!"
- "Can you do it like last time, but better?"
- "It doesn't feel like how TikTok girls do it."
Tools of the trade:
- 4 types of brushes (only one is ever "correct")
-
Detangling spray that smells like watermelon and costs more than your shampoo
- A lost scrunchie collection worthy of a true crime podcast — plus a stash of girls hair ties sport-ready styles that actually stay put through a full training session
Hair today, gone tomorrow
She'll ask for two braids… halfway through school drop-off, it's a bun. By lunch, it's a full hair-down moment. By pickup? Ponytail + existential crisis. Pair those quick style changes with tween leggings Australia mums rave about — stretchy enough for cartwheels, cute enough for the school gate.
Top mum tips for hairbrush battles:
- Let her take the lead — even if it means lopsided pigtails
- Invest in a wide-tooth comb and your own patience
- Turn it into bonding time: chat, giggle, let her vent while you brush
Bonus hack:
Create a "hairspiration" folder together. She'll love the control, and you'll avoid the "you never get it right!" meltdowns.
Speaking of feeling in control — role models matter. Rhiannon Byers of the Sharks is a brilliant example of the kind of strong, confident woman our tweens can look up to. In a recent feature in The Leader, she spoke about how sport builds self-belief from the ground up — one practice, one game, one outfit at a time.
Because at the end of the day, it's not about the hair — it's about feeling seen, confident, and fabulous. You can explore our girls athleisure Australia range for cosy, confidence-boosting looks she'll actually want to wear.
And if all else fails? Hat day.