Moroccan ingredients
Aker fassi: the Moroccan lip and cheek stain, and how to use it without staining your hijab
A deep red that comes out of a small clay pot when you wet it. Where aker fassi comes from, how to apply it, how to avoid stains, and how to spot a fake.
What aker fassi is
Aker fassi, 'the lipstick of Fez', is a traditional Moroccan stain linked to Amazigh women of the Fez region. Sellers describe it as dried poppy petals (Papaver rhoeas) and pomegranate peel or bark, ground and kept in a small terracotta pot.
If you know the lip tint, you know the idea: a stain that leaves colour on lips and cheeks rather than a waxy layer.
How to apply it
Moisten a lip brush or cotton swab with a little water or rose water, rub it on the clay pot until the red lifts, and apply to lips. Build thin layers: water gives a deeper red and oil a softer tint. A little lip balm first keeps lips comfortable.
For cheeks, dab a little on the apples of the cheeks and blend at once, as it sets quickly. Do not use your fingers: the pigment stains skin.
Under a hijab and a mask
A stain transfers less than a waxy lipstick, but it can still mark fabric. Let it dry for a minute, blot with a tissue and test on a light fabric before wearing it with a pale hijab or a white mask.
On your cheeks, blend well so there is no loose powder to fall onto the fabric.
Buying one on Shopee
Read the ingredient list. A traditional product names dried poppy petal and pomegranate peel; be wary of listings with synthetic dyes (CI numbers) or only perfume. Some producers add synthetic dye to deepen the colour.
A product for lips and cheeks sold in Indonesia should have a BPOM notification: check it in the Cek BPOM app, and the halal logo if it matters to you. Patch-test first, especially with plant allergies.
Common questions
Questions about this care
Is the poppy the opium poppy?
Sellers name the red corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas), a different plant. Buy only a product that lists its ingredients.
How long does the colour last?
Sellers say some hours on lips and longer on cheeks. It varies by brand and by what you eat and drink.
Can I use it as a hair dye or face mask?
Some sellers say so, but this is not independently verified. Use it for lips and cheeks.
Is it safe for teenagers?
It is a cosmetic colour: school rules and parental permission apply. Patch-test first.
Body Notes Journal
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