Abstract: Disclosed are colored cosmetic compositions that, when applied to a person's skin (e.g., the lips or cheeks), hair or nails, exhibit exceptional brilliance and clarity of color, and a method of using those compositions to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the skin, hair or nails. The compositions comprise (a) a pigment formed by incorporating a solvated dye into a resin, and (b) a cosmetic carrier having admixed therein the pigment in an amount effective to provide an attractive cosmetic effect to the composition when it is applied to a person's skin, hair, or nails. The methods of this invention comprise applying an effective amount of the foregoing composition to a person's skin (e.g., lips or cheeks), hair or nails.