My first dive into image manipulation

I have been against image manipulation or Photoshopping for a time. I felt it was a dishonest technique and then there was the time component. Sitting here for an hour or more manipulating a photo seemed like a waste of time. However, I decided to take the dive into it.  My first attempt, demonstrated here, is not at all perfect, but I think a good first try.

Im wondering what techniques you use to manipulate a portrait to perfection. What are the most commonly used techniques?

In another forum, I uploaded some un-manipulated photos and a deeply troubled Adam Lanza-like trollish poster quickly jumped on me screaming that I had not redone the models skin. I just never got into Photoshop or Photoscape. I do use Photoscape for purposes of white balance and to darken/brighten etc, but the actual image I have never manipulated. Im not a professional and this isnt how I make my living. Just a super serious amateur who enjoys taking photos and would like to keep thinking of this as "fun" rather then like "work".

Before

After