To provide an oily transparent composition which has good expandability and spreadability, is free from a sticky touch, and has excellent transparency and storage stability, and to provide a cosmetic which has good expandability and spreadability, is free from a sticky touch, and has excellent transparency and makeup persistency.

This oily transparent composition characterized by comprising (a) an α-olefin oligomer having a weight-average mol.wt. of 5,000 to 60,000 and a viscosity of 1,000 to 40,000 mPa.sec at 40°C, and (b) a gelling agent. The oily transparent composition wherein the component (b) is a dextrin fatty acid ester and/or 12-hydroxystearic acid. In addition, the cosmetic characterized by containing either of the oily transparent compositions.