How to use
Aker fassi is a dry pigment. It does nothing until it meets water — then it turns into a soft, buildable stain. There is no wrong way to do this, but a few small habits make the colour sit better and last longer.
What you need
Your pot
Kept dry, lid on, away from steam.
A little water
A mist, a damp fingertip, or a drop on a brush.
A tissue
To soften the edges if you go too deep.
Mist the surface of the pot, or simply dampen your fingertip — either works. You want the pigment damp, not flooded. If a pool of water sits in the bowl, tip it out and wait a moment.
The colour deepens as the water is absorbed. Give it two or three seconds.
Swirl your fingertip gently across the damp surface. Don't press hard — the pigment lifts easily, and scraping only wears the pot down. A brush gives you a sharper line if you prefer one.
Take less than you think. You can always go back for more.
Press rather than drag. Start at the centre of the lower lip and work outwards, then do the same on top. Pressing lets the colour settle into the lip instead of sitting on the surface.
Blot once with a tissue for a softer, more worn-in finish.
One layer gives a soft flush. Two or three build to a deep rose-red. The same colour works on the apples of the cheeks — tap it on with a clean fingertip and blend outwards while it is still fresh.
On cheeks, work fast. Once it sets, it stays where you put it.
Good to know
It reacts to your skin
The final tone shifts slightly with the pH of your lips. Most people land in a warm rose-red. Yours may read cooler or deeper than someone else's — that is the pigment doing its job, not a fault.
The finish is matte
If your lips are dry, apply a balm first, let it sink in for a minute, then press the colour on top. A balm over the top afterwards turns the stain into a softer, glossier tint.
Less water, more colour
A barely damp fingertip gives the most pigment. Too much water dilutes the stain and it goes on patchy. If that happens, blot it off and start again.
Removing it
It is a stain, so it does not wipe off with water alone. Any oil-based cleanser or micellar water lifts it in one pass.
Looking after your pot
The pot is unglazed clay, fired and finished by hand. Leave it open to air-dry after use, then keep it somewhere dry — a bathroom shelf away from the shower rather than beside the sink.
Ready to try it
One pot. Lips and cheeks. Nothing else to carry.
Shop the stain