did I over do the pp?

Yeah, I think so. Can you lessen it a little? It has a lot of potential, just needs a little bit less...
Did you use layers? If so, just reduce the opacity of the top (blurred) layer.

ya, I was thinking the samething.. it was a crappily lit shot to begin with I was just practicing on it but I find myself looking at it alot (thinking something just isn't right )

It's really noticeable around her eyes. Actually, her forehead looks pretty good.

Take a look at this tutorial posted under post processing, I would make the standard adjustments like levels, brightness, contrast etc....then try to follow the technique...It is amazing the results you can get. Good luck Jim

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=171753

The PP isn't too bad IMO but the lighting leaves a lot to be desired. She's a beautiful girl but the fact that her eyes are so dark really draws away from the pic.

Honestly if you hadn't posted the before shot, I'd have just thought she had a good makeup artist or did a great job with her own makeup. Her skin looks flawless, but she doesn't look overly "plastic" either.

I second the "lighting" comment above, but I personally do not think you've overdone the post-processing.

jra, agree.. thanks

Yes it is overdone. Her skin now looks computer generated. It is kind of a scary looking picture with her eyes black. This is why a fill flash and/or good lighting is needed.

The softening is a little much, but bothering me more than that is the underexposure, the orange skin tone and the distracting frames on the wall in the background. The PP you applied could look just fine as long as you erase that layer from the eyes, teeth and tip of nose imo.

Better lighting would have improved this image alot. you should have went back in and sharpened the eyes as well as her mouth.

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Before you learn softening and enhancing, I suggest that you learn lighting and proper focus. No amount of computer work will make up for no light in eyes or improper light direction. On your image, there is no light in her eyes and there is a shadow on BOTH sides of her nose and a big shadow under her nose. If you don't own external lights you can inexpensively make reflectors and gobos to make your images much better.

In answer to your question ... you over smoothed the skin but did nothing about the bags under her eyes. They should have been done 1st. Lines and bags shouldn't be removed but only made less noticeable and slightly softer. As for skin ... before softening remove any blemishes or marks using the Healing Brush. Then soften slightly ... don't over do it.

Here is my rendition of the original ... as good as I could do with the small size and low res. I hope it helps.

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