To not incorporate more cool blue colors? The direction from LMG images in the samples forum was to be creative. these are obviously some form of icicles and the first thing that comes to mind is blue or white. But I definitely didn't want to go with the first thing that comes to mind (that's usually the least creative thing for me). So I decided for a warmer possibly underwater feel. But is it dumb to go against the obvious color choices for things like this? I'd stick with what the client was trying to convey but this wasn't for a client. Also general criticism, advice, thoughts pertaining to other aspects of the retouch are most certainly welcome.

i am no retoucher but one thing i noticed is that you manipulated her face way too  much, and i prefer her face in the original.

I can see that. Yeah I re shaped her nose only because I didn't want her to appear witchlike with the Icy crown and all. I was definitely exercising creative license on that one. Depending on what the image was to be used for (if this was an actual job) I probably would have kept the face the same. And if you meant the D&B of skin/definition thats something I'm still trying to figure out. I think I'm going to study up on make up application to get a better understanding of what to highlight on a face and what not to.haha thanks for your input. And it's completely fine that you aren't a Retoucher. If the face looks strange to you that's a good indication that it isn't realistic enough.

I think you did a good job with the colors

Thanks, I thought pushing towards more complimentary colors would work well.

The second one looks great the way it is.  It looks pretty cool to me (color temperature cool) compared to the original, but not too blue, either.

Theres allot of details in the head gear and the costume, I would like to see more of that, we need that POP Effect...pweez!