I'm a model and I'm gearing towards getting more fully retouched images...mermaid, faerie, background changes, enhancing eyes, skin, etc. As a model I often get back edited photos that I'm not too happy with. A strong photo with weak editing can be very disappointing and I would like to be able to (with a photographers permission of course) take retouching the photo into my own hands. Less work for the photographer...more fun for me:)

What program should I buy that will give me the best results? I am a quite learner I have used photoshop alot in the past and am fairly good with it. I'd like to be able to create really dynamic and multi-faceted images. Would any retouchers be kind enough to give me some tips? I would really greatly appreciate it and I am taking new shoots for Summer

Photoshop is the best...
Some good tutorials https://www.youtube.com/user/diphax
Lots of stuff http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/ … lltime=yes
And tutorials http://browse.deviantart.com/photography/?q=tutorial
Carving https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=808677
High Pass Sucks (+solution)  https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=439098

thankyou

Many good tutorials at www.worth1000.com , also a lot of galleries for inspiration.
For fun and tips, there are over 300 free episodes of the The Photoshop Guys tv show over at  http://kelbytv.com/photoshopusertv/

http://www.grygarness.com
http://carrienyc.com/
http://digitalphotoshopretouching.com/
http://www.retouchpro.com/index.php?page=rentals
http://www.photoshopdiva.com/classes.html

Yeah - if you have started with photoshop stick with it - it's powerful tool.
If you want powerful tool for free try GIMP - it's similar to photoshop.
As far as tutorials.. well type in whatever you wish to accomplish in mother Google or father Youtube