A cosmetic and a topical skin preparation comprising a higher alcohol-modified silicone (A) with the following general formula (1) wherein R1 is, e.g., an alkyl group; P is a monovalent organic group that contains the Si—O bond or is a long-chain monovalent hydrocarbyl group; at least one Q is a higher alcohol modifying group (—(C10-C30)-OH); and (m1+m2+m3) is a number in the range from 0 to 55 and most favorably (m1+m2+m3) is 1.