Abstract: A plasticized high water content cosmetic gel that will be sharpenable when used as a core inside of a sharpenable pencil barrel. The gel essentially comprises, by weight, about 25-42% water; about 25-35% of a polyol or aliphatic diol vehicle such as a butylene glycol; about 4-12% sodium stearate; about 0.1-2% of a carboxylated acid ester plasticizer; about 4-28% of a colorant; and about 0.1-1% of a surfactant. To reduce syneresis, adding about 1 percent or less a viscosity increasing agent is effective. For water resistance when the cosmetic gel is applied to a user's skin, adding about 5-10% of a styrene acrylic polymer waterproofing agent is effective, and does not increase irritation levels out of the mild range.