Inventive embodiments disclosed herein relate to gel volume mascara. The mascara includes water in a concentration of at least about 45% by weight disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate Polysorbate 20 Black iron oxide One or more waxes selected from the group consisting of beeswax, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/CIRE de Carnauba, and paraffin in a concentration of 15-20% by weight and a synthetic layered silicate, insoluble in water, in a concentration effective for forming a colloidal dispersion with the water.