Stable and uniform distribution of gel beads or other particulate material, dispersed in a liquid medium can be obtained by including a density-reducing agent within the gel beads to provide the particle with a desired bulk density, for example a density close to that of the disperse liquid medium. Suitable density control can prevent migration due to gravity leading to settling in storage. Gel beads formulated with agar are suitable for use in cosmetics and for inclusion in cosmetics formulating processes which may employ modestly elevated temperatures. Attractive and novel cosmetics bead suspensions are described. Additional to cosmetics, pharmaceutical, foodstuff and other applications are disclosed. Examples of suitable density-reducing agents include very low density hollow polymeric microspheres and temperature-sensitive expandable thermoplastic microspheres.