A pearlizing composition containing: (a) from about 20 to 45% by weight of a pearlizing wax; (b) from about 0.1 to 6% by weight of an anionic surfactant; (c) from about 0.1 to 8% by weight of a polyol ester; (d) optionally, a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a zwitterionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and mixtures thereof; and (e) water, all weights being based on the weight of the composition, and wherein (a) and (c) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from about 12:1 to 7:1, and wherein (c) and (b) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from about 2:1 to 0.8:1.