To obtain a pearlescent composition having an excellent feeling of use, excellent conditioning effects and an excellent iridescent luster and excellent in dispersion stability and low-temperature stability as an ingredient of hair washing products such as a hair shampoo, a hair rinse or a hair treatment and further body shampoos, cleansing preparations, basic cosmetics, makeup cosmetics and hairdressings.

This pearlescent composition comprises the following ingredients (A) to (E) as essential ingredients. (A) a branched chain fatty acid alkanolamide having an average 8-22C branched chain acyl group, (B) a surfactant, (C) a nonvolatile siloxane compound, (D) a polymer having 500-100,000 mPa.s viscosity of a 1% aqueous solution or a 1% dispersion when measured at 25°C with a B type viscometer and (E) a pearlescent agent.