Abstract: A two part aqueous composition for coloring human hair which forms a gel on mixing of an alkaline aqueous lotion first part having a pH of from about 7 to about 11 containing from about 0.005% by weight to about 5% by weight of at least one primary intermediate and at least one coupler for the formation of oxidation dyes, from about 0.1% to about 5% of a monomeric quaternary ammonium compound having one long chain alkyl substituent, from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant and at least 70% by weight water, and an aqueous developer second part having a pH of from about 2 to about 6 containing from about 0.5% by weight to about 40% by weight of a peroxide oxidizer and from about 0.1% by weight to about 20% by weight of a water insoluble anionic polymer which dissolves in the formed gel.