The colorant for keratin fibers contains direct and/or oxidative dyes as well as a perfume system consisting of an encapsulated perfume and an unencapsulated perfume of the same composition. The ratio of encapsulated perfume to unencapsulated perfume is equal to about 0.5:3 to 3:0.5. The perfume system is used for removing or masking the unpleasant odor of alkalinizing agents in the colorant.