A method of applying makeup to a surface, such as the skin, the nails, hair, or the lips, is disclosed. The method includes manually depositing, using a non-magnetic cosmetic applicator, at least a first cosmetic composition in the fluid state on the surface, the first composition containing magnetic particles that are movable under the effect of a magnetic field and manually exposing at least part of the first composition to a magnetic device producing a magnetic field, the magnetic device located above the first composition so as to orientate and/or displace at least a fraction of the magnetic particles so as to form at least one pattern according to magnetic field lines of the magnetic field without making contact with the first composition.
