Dye-containing pellets and their use

The present patent application relates to dye-containing pellets obtained by (a) homogeneous mixing of a starting material containing at least one natural and/or synthetic dye with a suitable carrier material and then coating with a suitable encapsulation material or (b) coating a suitable carrier material with a mixture of at least one natural and/or synthetic dye and at least one suitable encapsulation material, to the use of said pellets for preparing colorants for keratin fibers and to the colorants based on said pellets. Furthermore the present patent application relates to the use of these pellets for increasing the shine of the keratin fibers, reducing the scalp coloring of hair dyes, improving the protection for the cortex, increasing the colorant efficiency and reducing the load of colorants, and improving the wash resistance.