question about gaussian blur skin smooting

[Ed_L]

Sometimes I think it's like a crossword puzzle. You can look at something for a long time, then the "Aha theory" pops in! And it feels so good!

Ed

[Mike Needham]

I havent read through all these posts (naughty me), but when needing a glamourised effect I normally duplicate my layer, gaussian blur my duplicate by about 5-15 depending on the severity of the effect, then change the layer mode to overlay and if required turn the opacity of the duplicate layer down a touch. This technique can be made more adaptable by layer masks and a big brush where you dont want it.

But hopefully this method still retains some of the vivacity you want (do hope I didnt replicate too much)