The most important thing is to not make look edited!
It’s most photographer’s nightmare to share their unedited photos. Luckily, I’m not a true professional, and I have always wanted to learn [not necessarily the ‘how’, but] the why’s of the edit. What were most important facets of the enhancement to unlock the shot, and why was it important. I guess in order for me to receive others’ thoughts, I should share mine:
Honesty in photography is the most important to me. If it’s too liquified or smoothened, the subject is no longer them. When you meet the subject in person, they must look close or they should look like the best version of themselves in the photograph. That being said…
Of course, the foundations, are important. But beyond the shot composition (which I still edit), and proper lighting/exposure (which I still edit), shoot RAW so you can color correct.
Be very judicious in the post-processing. Pinch and liquify with respect and very judiciously. Only do it lessen the distraction to your photographic though and not because you want them to look skinnier, more voluptuous, taller, etc.
Same goes with skin smoothening, perfection is unnatural.
Make your photograph breathe. There are technical things to composition so you can read about that from real pros, but balance the negative space in your shot. Honestly, I spend most of my time editing the background, making it clean, and centering/leveling my subject properly.
Even if you do very little post-processing, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t scrutinize your work. I did very little to the photos here, but I make it a habit to go through every line, curve, pore and strand of hair (exaggeration). You have to be satisfied not only if the shot comes out good, but if you are too lazy, not technically sound enough, or don’t know how to fix something in your shot you could improve, you have to be aware of that as well — so you can work on it and be better in the future… hopefully.
Thank you to Shannon, our model subject. She’s a literal beauty queen.