The agent for coloring keratin fibers is free of chemical oxidants, is in the form of an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic dye-containing preparation, and contains a combination of oxidation dyes and at least three direct dyes. The agent is characterized by a quantitative ratio of oxidation dyes to direct dyes equal to 5:1 to 0.5:1. A method of dyeing hair is described in which the agent is applied to hair and allowed to act on the hair for an acting time of 5 to 60 minutes without addition of chemical oxidants, so that air oxidation provides a uniform and stable coloration of the hair.