Other than that, here is what I used to do for images like this..
Create a new image, and make the background layer white.
Then create two layers from your image.
make the top layer invisible, and work on the second layer. (the top layer is there to serve as a reference, just show/hide it to see the original image.)
Now, select your eraser tool, first use a larger diameter hard edged brush to make a line around the image, get as close as you feel comfortable with, but don't touch the part you want to keep.
Once you've "roughed out" the image, next soften the hardness to 60%, and make the brush a comfortable size to work quickly, but accurately.
Go around the image, continuing to erase what you feel comfortable erasing (remember once the brush is "soft" the edge of erasure extends beyond the indicated "size" of the brush.
Choose a smaller brush and continue to repeat the above process.
Smaller again :)..
Now, make your brush a bit larger and reduce opacity to 20%.
Blend the edges where you just couldn't quite get it right with the other brushes..
Now, after an hour or so of hard work, you should have results that are pretty much on par with what I did above.
I swear, I'm not trying to sell you Topaz, but you really do need to ask yourself how much your time is worth.. For me, Topaz paid for itself quite quickly.
I think at that size, it is fine, but I have entered the photo into a competition, and if I win they will want a 24inch print and that will be displayed in musuems!! I don't want the edit to be noticeable :(
Ooh Ok, I posted your picture originally, but took it off immediately because I felt like I misunderstood your words!
Well I darkened the tones a bit and created a bit bigger range between the whites and blacks to create drama and so her eyes could pop out, because I wanted her eyes to be the center of attention as it was the most powerful part of the image to me (hope that artsy-fartsy description clears it up).
But like with anything... every one will have their own opinion.
