Basic adjustments using Radiant Vista essential adjustment layers
New layer, color mid skin tone, brush set to lighten. Painted over some of the dark areas of skin
Skin softening using PhotoshopMama style technique. Surface blur or noise reduction would work OK also. Reduced soften layer to about 30%.
Merge visible layer: Sharpen for the eyes, masked everything else.
PWL layer to add brightness and color to eyes, darken background


forum discussion: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=25727188
original image by davis_apas