ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) Spells Abracadabra Retouching

[F, Calla & Luca]

For some time the gurus have been talking about doing just about anything in Camera Raw Editing. I caught a few minutes of this but not specifically on retouching portraits. But there are videos on the web. I am sorely tempted to but a big class (Jack Davis) on this. But before I did that I fiddled around. I don't know if those of you who have the Camera Raw plug in for PSE have the same tools, or even if I with CS6 have all the tootls of CC. I know, for instance, I don't have all the tools in Liquefy, that folks with CC have : (

I took a portrait of Sarah last weekend. It was OK because Sarah is beautiful. But it was cold which affected skin tones etc. So only using tools in ACR, I selectively reduced clarity, which smooths the skin, and reduces wrinkles. I also brightened eyes, whitened teeth  and put a little color in cheeks and lips. I still see little areas I might redo but I wasn't aiming for a phony PSed look. 

Voila' 

Before

After

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

This came out wonderful!  Beautiful portrait.  Kudos to you for learning.  I have PSE11 and am so confused!  The guided sections are fine but if you want to do more, the expert section has a learning curve. It's a struggle.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I share your pain. It is not easy.