Beauty Q&A.(advice about personal beauty)(Brief Article)

MAKEOUT MOUTH RX

My guy's scruff is chafing my lips and chin! Is there a way to calm post-kissy face?

Smooching your unshaven sweetie can cause zillions of tiny abrasions on your face and lips. "His stubble acts like sandpaper, removing superficial skin layers and leaving your lips and chin red and raw," says Adrienne Denese, a New York City cosmetic dermatologist. Get rid of unsightly redness ASAP and avoid an infection or breakout (broken skin leaves you extra-susceptible to the bacteria that causes both) by applying a non irritating moisturizer containing Ceramide-3 (a replica of a moisturizing lipid found in your skin) or healing plant extracts like avocado morning and night. Avoid perfumed creams and products containing acids, retinols, or vitamin C, all of which could cause further irritation. Try Hydroseal Defender Face Serum, $65, Nivea Visage Daily Nourishing Lotion, $6, or Bobbi Brown Soothing Balm, $50. Also heal your sore smacker with a moisturizing lip balm that contains soothing ingredients like aloe. Try Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment, $10. Finally, prevent future flare-ups by getting your gu y to shave before a major make-out session!

TANGLE TIPS

Help! My brush often gets stuck in my hair. Can I remove it harmlessly?

Remain calm--you can easily de-snare your brush without causing damage if you use a little tress TLC. Take a corner of a wide-tooth comb and gently pick free the tangled strands from your brush, says Yves Durif, owner of NYC's Yves Durif Salon. If that doesn't loosen your locks, saturate your trapped tresses with deep conditioner, then use your comb to pick out hairs one by one. Try Aveda Curessence Intensive Repair Treatment, $22. Once all your strands are free, apply the conditioner treatment to your entire mane to help your coif recoup. "Never try to yank the brush from your tangled tresses or you risk ripping out hairs or entangling the brush even more," Durif says.

SCENT-SELECTION STRATEGIES