A branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions wherein the branched alcohol composition has from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms and an average number of branches per molecule of from about 0.7 to about 3.0, said branching comprising methyl and ethyl branches. The present invention further relates to personal care compositions for topical application to the skin or hair comprising said branched ester composition. The branched ester composition of the invention provides improved formulation flexibility.