Don't be discouraged by the poor finish; my first showing was lousy, too, and I've gotten as low as the 4th percentile. You take good pictures--it's just a lot harder to take a good picture that fits a theme within the space of a week than it is to take a good picture of whatever kind. I hope to see more of yours on here, and someday one on the front page :)
Nice person shot. It's rare to get a feeling about a person without seeing their eyes but you have done it well. The nosering makes a nice focal point.
I dont feel the hair is the subject here, but more so the nose ring is. even so, you meet the topic. I think I would of cropped out the negative space as you dont really need it.