Abstract: Keratinous materials, such as human hair, can be colored stepwise in gradual increments at ambient temperatures with formulations of selected oxidation hair dye intermediates with an oxidizing agent at pH in the range from 7.0 to 8.3 in a white relatively odorless cream vehicle. Sequential application of the cream vehicle formulations, rinsed after a period of time, followed by application of an oxidizing agent, do not stain or color the skin, can be easily applied to the hair and color the hair slowly in steps over a period of weeks, resulting in a gradual color change to any desired shade from light brown to black.