Before I get to the subject of my post I feel compelled to wax snarky about something that happened to this blog last week:

Early last week I got an email from Blogger informing me that this blog was flagged as a potential “spam blog.” So, not wanting my blog to be expunged from the record, I did as I was asked and requested one of their trained monkeys to come in and look it over so see that I am not, in fact, a robot.

So all last week, there was an ugly warning page whenever I pulled up my blog saying that this was being investigated for possible violation of terms of service and conditions [note: this was when I was hosting my blog on Blogger]. Way to make me look like a criminal! That wasn’t very nice, but I understand these things happen, so I rolled with it and kept my eye out for an email from someone at Blogger telling me that everything was just swell, and the case would be closed, just like I was told I should expect within the few days following my request for review.

Well, no such email ever arrived, and I happened to “accidentally” discover that the hold had been removed, and my blog was readily available to anyone again. So, thanks for not letting me know, Blogger.

This has left a somewhat bad taste in my mouth, but no matter. I’m back online again.

This is not a political blog, but my topic for today is Sarah Palin and her horrifying facial deterioration from having her makeup slathered on with a paint roller. And also, I guess, from the stress of being thrust into the unforgiving eye of a public that isn’t all head-over-heels for her party and what she says (or doesn’t say) and stands for.

Exhibit A: Gov. Palin within the last 2 years

Exhibit B: Gov. Palin in recent weeks

… Woof.

In all seriousness though, the woman looks like she’s aged almost 10 years in a matter of a month and a half. It must be stressful being in the public spotlight all of a sudden, and it’s seeming to take a drastic toll on Gov. Palin’s looks.

I chose these two photos to compare because both are screen captures from television. Hence, there isn’t any airbrushing that’s been done to them, as is common in pretty much all photographs you see of people in magazines or on the Web.

In the first picture, she looks fresh-faced and attractive. Her makeup, while it’s apparent she’s wearing it, is not overdone and flatters her. The second one, on the other hand, shows deep lines and saggy skin around her mouth and cheeks, and even her neck is beginning to look flabby. In the VP debate and in recent (rare) television appearances, her makeup has only served to make her look puffy, haggard and older, and it is not flattering at all.

Caking on makeup is unfortunately very tempting and sometimes happens by accident, especially by beginners or for people who lack the confidence in how they look to begin with, respectively. My philosophy is that makeup should only be used to enhance your existing appearance, highlighting the features you think are your best.

I’ve never seen Hillary Clinton look overdone in her makeup, and she’s the same age as my dad (61)! Just by looking at her one might even think she was younger than that, perhaps in her late 40s.

Poor Sarah Palin though is just 44 years old. She looks to be more mid-50s with the plastered-on face of someone who can’t accept that she just isn’t as young as she used to be.

I feel bad for her. That can’t be good for her skin, and it’s certainly not good for her if she’s so stressed out that she looks this old in so short a time.

Ladies (and some gentlemen), don’t overdo it. Clownish faces are not sexy. Instead of liquid and cream foundations and concealears, go for the mineral formulations. Bare Escentuals made mineral makeup famous and sells shades for every skin color; I happen to use Laura Geller Balance -N- Brighten, another top shelf brand offering baked makeup for luminous, even coverage. Powder-based foundation/concealer is much better for the pores and is a lot more natural.

Second, go easier on the rouge, and remember to blend, blend, blend, and then blend some more. A healthy flush is instantly beautiful but an unnatural streak of pink or red or brown or orange is just hideous. Did I mention to blend it in?

Finally, basic skin cleansing is required to maintain a youthful-looking, tighter-skinned face. You should never go to bed without washing off your makeup first. I use Lumene products, whose facial cleansers gently remove makeup and freshen skin with various revitalizing, vitamin-rich berry extracts (berries have long been used to keep skin healthy and conditioned), and their exfoliating formulations use sugar, a natural, tested and true exfoliant.

Without getting my opinions about Sarah Palin into the mix, I hope that after Nov. 4 she takes a spa vacation. Judging by the sorry visual proof, she’s going to need it if she wants to keep looking like a MILF.

Or who knows, maybe she’ll just do botox.