This story is part of Ensemble’s colour week, presented by Resene

Fenella Tonkin attracts attention – and compliments and comments from strangers – across Tāmaki Makaurau for her fabulous style and hair that’s a daring shade of green, a statement about not acting or showing her age.

The self-described “antique cataloguer, auctioneers’ assistant and jewellery girl” at Cordys Auctions has embraced the bright side for years, having had navy blue, pink, turquoise hair in the past.

She opted for green in 2019, experimenting with various shades since. “I love playing with colour,” she says, “and as I get older I get more daring.”‍

Ok, straight to the point… Why is your hair green?‍

It is a colour I haven’t been before and there are not many women out there with green hair.‍

How long has your hair been a shade of green?‍

In August 2019 I added green to the navy blue, it looked fabulous but was just too hard to maintain so by December I went totally fluorescent green – a colour called Electric Lizard.‍

Who dyes it - yourself, or a hairdresser?

I get it dyed at the hairdresser, with a cruelty free vegan product from Manic Panic. This particular green is called Green Envy ($30).

I go to Debbie Wilson at Raven Haircutters, by the Lido Theatre in Epsom. I have been going to her for over 30 years and she has seen me through many incarnations.

How does having colourful hair influence your wardrobe, and how you dress?

It actually doesn’t. I have always worn what I liked but the major influence on my wardrobe is my lack of height… I am only 4.11”. I really don’t care if my current hair colour goes with clothes or not. It all seems to work because I am so relaxed about it.

Your hair has been other bold shades – navy blue, pink, turquoise – in the past. What is it about vibrant shades that you’re drawn to? And how do you decide what colour to try next?

Haha – it’s about not acting or showing my age. My hairdresser and I pick a colour I haven’t been before but it always has to work with my skin tone. I cannot do orange or yellow.

What are your memories of when you first dyed your hair a bright shade? What was the response from your loved ones, and strangers?

I discovered henna when I was in my early 20s and haven’t seen my natural hair colour since. My mother was appalled. She liked having a blonde daughter.

Do you find that lots of people comment on it?

Oh absolutely. People stop their cars to tell me they love my hair. Just last Saturday, I was walking the dog and a woman shouted over Mt Eden Road that she loved my hair.

The older women love it, I think they would have liked to have been able to go crazy when they were younger. A lot of them say to me that they can’t dye their hair because their husband won’t like it… really?????

Is it high maintenance? How often do you have to re-dye it, to keep it consistently green?

I go every eight to 10 weeks and get trimmed, roots bleached and re-greened.

In between appointments, I add a teaspoon of the dye to my shampoo and conditioner just to keep the colour bright.

What do you do to take care of it, and keep it looking healthy? What’s your usual hair routine?

I am lucky in that I do not have oily hair, it tends to be dry so I only have to wash it once a week. I blow dry it but no tongs or heat between washing.

‍What products do you use to take care of it?

I use Nioxin System 4 shampoo ($41) and conditioner ($45) for coloured and thinning hair, plus a hair mask once a month. Currently, I’m using the Georgiemane 10-Minute Hair Mask ($60).

How would you describe your relationship with your hair – today, and in the past?

I used to have waist-long hair and it was bright red. It was a faff to keep it up. My current bob is an easy hairstyle to keep up.

What has your hair ‘taught’ you?

That hair really is a woman’s crowning glory. It can make or break your appearance.

Who else do you think has great hair?

Helena Bonham Carter. So much hair, so abundant and wild. I just love her whole look.

Any other ‘good hair’ tips?

Do what you want to your hair (within reason) because it just keeps on growing. Look after it while you are young and it is thick and healthy, because it does start to thin out as you get older. Hormones have a lot to answer for.