A composition for coating a keratinous fiber comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one volatile solvent and a nonvolatile fraction comprising: at least one polymer capable of adhering to a keratinous material; particles which are solid at 25.degree. C. comprising at least one first material chosen from crystalline and semicrystalline materials which are solid at 25.degree. C. and have at least one of a first order phase transition, a melting transition and a combustion transition, greater than 100.degree. C.; wherein the first solid particles are present in the composition in an amount such that the volume fraction of the solid particles is greater than or equal to 50% of the total volume of the nonvolatile fraction of the composition. The composition makes it possible to obtain good curling of keratinous fibers, such as eyelashes.