Product Review: Be Artisan Akkar Fassi & Argan Lip Balm
Morocco has a deep cultural connection to natural beauty products. Amazigh and Arab practices and influences shape this. When I arrived in Tangier, I had a few traditional cosmetics in mind to try. One of those was a North African Aker Fassi lip stain. I found Be Artisan Aker Fassi & Argan Nourishing Lip Balm at a natural product store near the Kasbah in the old town medina.
Be Artisan is a Moroccan cosmetics lab based in Marrakech. It offers heritage products made with organic Moroccan argan oil. They are ISO certified and produce natural cosmetic product lines for companies around the world. Part of the company’s practice is to partner with hotels, spas, and retail markets. Its private label cosmetics are natural, non-toxic, and cruelty-free. The manufacturer is certified to use AB labels, a French organic farming certification that bans synthetic ingredients.
AKER FASSI
Aker Fassi is a ground powder that creates a red tint. The preparation consists of dried poppy flower petals and pomegranate bark. Aker means powder in the Amazigh language, and Fassi refers to the city of Fes. It is known as the blood of deer and flower of life. It contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E that help fight inflammation and brighten the skin.
Aker Fassi has gone viral as a lip tint. It is a multi-purpose natural and spiritual beauty secret of Amazigh culture. You can use it as eyeshadow, blush, or a natural hair dye. Combine it with floral water, honey, or yogurt, and you have a bright red pro-aging face mask.
ARGAN OIL
Producers make argan oil from the argan tree, which grows only in Morocco and Algeria and can take 50 years to mature. Its production is limited and labor-intensive. The nut is full of vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Moroccan people use it to protect their skin from sun damage. It is pro-aging because linoleic acid can smooth fine lines and wrinkles and help with under-eye puffiness. Argan oil can promote collagen production and wound healing. It manages oil production and is anti-bacterial, so it’s beneficial for oily skin and breakouts.
I learned that you can also eat it and that the oil plays a role in Moroccan cooking. It has a low smoke point, so it’s best as a finishing oil. I am not sure if I have tried it yet. I had some nutty baked treats, of which the flavor I couldn’t put my finger on, and I thought it might be argan nuts or oil. It turns out to likely be Amazigh amlou—a paste made from almonds, honey, and argan oil.
Argan oil has health benefits, too, including supporting heart health and cholesterol levels. Besides topical application and cooking, you can take it as an oral supplement. It is well-known for encouraging hair growth but I found studies focused more on the positive effects on skin and body health.
This Be Artisan lip balm has a shea butter base. It also comes in an orange blossom version without the poppy tint. The jar has a cute burgundy or orange tassel on the gold lid of the glass pot with a matching gradient label featuring gold type.
(The company spells Aker Fassi – Akar and Akkar)
Noteworthy ingredients:
- Shea butter
- Apricot kernel oil
- Beeswax
- Argan oil
- Honey
- Poppy
The balm has a lovely rose color that looks natural and subtle when applied. Because this is a balm, the stain is very light. It feels a bit slick and soft and melts as soon as you touch it. There is no perfume or fragrance listed in the ingredients, but this does have a sweet floral aroma.
I would like to grab another Aker Fassi lipstick that’s a little darker to see the poppy color more. Or the solid sun-dried clay cone used by the Amazigh women. If I can find it I might try the pure powder that I can mix myself.
Stay tuned for more on the health and beauty stores I visited in Tangier. I picked up some wonderful Moroccan products, like black soap, rose hydrosol, kohl eyeliner, orange blossom-infused argan oil, blue nila power, and more.
