So...I am getting more requests to do Actor, Business, Realtor...ect... headshots. In the past, I did all of my retouching in Lightroom for headshots. I feel as though with more work possibly coming my way, I need to dip into Photoshop. Up until a couple of months ago, the only thing I used PS for was blemish removal. The last month, I've really taken the time to understand non destructive editing using layers, masks, and selective layer editing.

So..today, I retouched a photo I took back in January.  Opinions?

If you will be doing a lot of that work for pay you will reduce your post work significantly if you use a great makeup artist.

If you don't already use it, you can do a lot of what you did here in Lightroom working with the RAW file. Only mention it because I have recently started using LR. It is much faster for the smaller retouch work so it speeds up your work flow when doing multiple images. PS is great, for me I use it for the heavier work, like you said as well working non-destructively.

The retouch is good I would add some sparkle in here eyes. Unsharp mask works well in PS for me.

I'm seeing a little too much splotchyness and places that go texture to smooth abruptly, but overall, good.

I can see alot of tiny burn/ dodge tool leftovers. A botched effect.. but not bad for a first time at all.

Try a Solar Curve Adjustment Layer to show the transistions in the skins.

I feel like you need more D&B on this