Colouring composition, method for obtaining and using same for colouring skin and/or keratin matters. The composition comprises, in a physiologically acceptable medium, an efficient amount of at least one colouring agent precursor selected among the compounds comprising at least one aromatic cycle having at least two hydroxyl groups carried by two consecutive carbon atoms of the aromatic cycle, optionally an amino acid comprising at least one thiol group and an efficient amount of a catalytic system comprising a first component selected amongst salts and oxides of Mn(II) and/or Zn(II) and/or the mixtures thereof and a second component selected amongst alkaline hydrogenocarbonates, alkaline earth hydrogenocarbonates and the mixtures thereof, the proportions of the first component and the second component being such that: ##EQU1## Application for colouring skin and/or keratin matters.