Multi-stage process for coloring keratin fibers, preferably human hair, comprises applying an oxidative pre-lotion on the hair, where the oxidative pre-lotion contains at least an oxidizing agent without any coloring compounds； leaving the hair with the oxidative pre-lotion for an impact time (E1) and rinsing the hair with water； subsequently pretreating the hair with a composition (B) containing at least one oxidative dye precursor of developer type； and rinsing the hair with water after an impact time (E2). An independent claim is included for a packing unit (kit-of-parts) comprising the pre-lotion； the composition (B)； and an instruction manual for the application of a method.
