An ergonomic applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes comprising: a handle portion dimensioned to permit the applicator to be held between the thumb and fingers on opposing faces thereof, the opposing faces being of sufficient width relative to the thickness separating the faces to prevent rotation of the handle when held between the thumb and fingers; and a head portion having at least one transfer element comprising a textured surface for holding a charge of cosmetic composition and transferring it to the eyelashes on contact therewith, the at least one transfer element extending substantially across the width of the head portion and in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (II-II) of the head portion, wherein the longitudinal axis (II-II) of said head portion is oriented, or is rotatable to be oriented, at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (I-I) of the handle portion, the head portion has a terminal arcuate edge at the distal end thereof, said arcuate edge being concave with respect to the head portion; said concavity extending along the width of the head portion; the head portion comprising a top face and a bottom face; characterized in that the top face of the head portion includes a transfer element that extends substantially from the right side edge to the left side edge and a predetermined distance from the distal end toward the proximal end, whereby the transfer element includes an array of bristles;and/or the bottom face of the head portion includes a transfer element that extends substantially from the right side edge to the left side edge and a predetermined distance from the distal end toward the proximal end, whereby the transfer element includes an array of bristles; the distal end of the head portion includes a transfer element with spaced fin-like projections that project from the edge at the distal end and extend from the top face to the bottom face or with bristles, to provide a further area on the applicator for applying the cosmetic composition to the eyelashes, wherein the bristles on the top face and the bristles on the bottom face stand upright relative to the longitudinal axis (II-II) of the head portion as seen in a side elevational view. a handle portion dimensioned to permit the applicator to be held between the thumb and fingers on opposing faces thereof, the opposing faces being of sufficient width relative to the thickness separating the faces to prevent rotation of the handle when held between the thumb and fingers; and a head portion having at least one transfer element comprising a textured surface for holding a charge of cosmetic composition and transferring it to the eyelashes on contact therewith, the at least one transfer element extending substantially across the width of the head portion and in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (II-II) of the head portion, wherein the longitudinal axis (II-II) of said head portion is oriented, or is rotatable to be oriented, at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (I-I) of the handle portion, the head portion has a terminal arcuate edge at the distal end thereof, said arcuate edge being concave with respect to the head portion; said concavity extending along the width of the head portion; the head portion comprising a top face and a bottom face; characterized in that the top face of the head portion includes a transfer element that extends substantially from the right side edge to the left side edge and a predetermined distance from the distal end toward the proximal end, whereby the transfer element includes an array of bristles;and/or the bottom face of the head portion includes a transfer element that extends substantially from the right side edge to the left side edge and a predetermined distance from the distal end toward the proximal end, whereby the transfer element includes an array of bristles; the distal end of the head portion includes a transfer element with spaced fin-like projections that project from the edge at the distal end and extend from the top face to the bottom face or with bristles, to provide a further area on the applicator for applying the cosmetic composition to the eyelashes, wherein the bristles on the top face and the bristles on the bottom face stand upright relative to the longitudinal axis (II-II) of the head portion as seen in a side elevational view.