I've seen so many people do this effect, and it's just so pretty and downright lovely to me... and I've almost achieved it, but there is always something off in what I do when I'm adjusting the curves.

Anyway, from start to finish how do I achieve this kind of effect when editing?

What I mean is the super paled skin, the slightly muted colors and then the colors popping out with a somewhat lomo quality.

I kind of have an idea and I've been experimenting with curves/layers/etc... but I'd like a good one-two-four on how it's acheived.  I feel like I'm slightly dumb when it comes to certain photoshop effects.

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/ … 48f09i.jpg

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/ … 4anqjb.jpg


They are obviously not edited the same, but they have a similar effect in achievement.

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/ … 5j6e7z.jpg

Another example.

They all have low saturation and medium contrasts.

Good on-camera lighting and the above mentioned should give similar results.