Giving dimension to portrait when retouching

[afterfola]

I've been trying to do some retouching to portraits with harsh lighting, no makeup, and uneven skin but after I basically redo the skin I have problems making it look realistic with dimension to it. Welp, need some advice

ce.

 

[IamSam]

I have asked before......

What is your definition of popping up?

What is your definition of dimension?

 

[afterfola]

I have asked before......

What is your definition of popping up?

What is your definition of dimension?

Having the skin look less flat and mask like. After retouching the skin with low frequency is hard to play with curves since it makes the skin look messy (at least on pics with bad lighting)