The present invention relates to a method of applying makeup to keratinous substances, in particular the skin, the lips, the nails, or hair, the method comprising the following steps: depositing at least one cosmetic composition on the surface to be made up, the cosmetic composition comprising: bodies that present non-zero magnetic susceptibility and that are movable under the effect of a magnetic field; and at least one interferential pigment; and exposing at least part of the composition to a magnetic field, so as to modify the orientation and/or displace at least some of the magnetic bodies.