The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a composition to keratinous fibers, the applicator comprising: a stem; a core that extends along a longitudinal axis; applicator elements carried by the core, the distal end of the applicator being defined by the core or by at least one applicator element; the applicator elements defining an envelope surface; wherein the cross-section of the applicator defined by the envelope surface increases, and then decreases, on going towards the distal end of the core along at least two axes that are perpendicular to each other, and defines a peak ridge of maximum radius rmax that is strictly the greatest radius for the entire envelope surface, the peak ridge being spaced apart from the distal end of the envelope surface by a distance measured along the longitudinal axis that is less than or equal to 1.5 rmax; and the angle formed by the slopes of the envelope surface on either side of the peak ridge in at least one longitudinal section being greater than 120°.