Crisp Bright Coloring Help

[jecca_o9]

Program(+version) I'm using: Adope Photoshop CS4
Example(s) of the coloring I want to learn how to make + credit to the maker: these from lookbook.
A different image I want to color(this is not the original): this or this

Basically I want to learn how to get that crisp & bright type of coloring shown in any of the four thumbnails from the sample.

Comments

[val_valerie]

when trying to achieve this kind of soft and gentle-vintage-ish colorings i'd never suggest starting your way with selective color or color balance or vibrance layers because they would only make your image stand out and we are kind of looking for faded colors you know.
here are my results:
from

[jecca_o9]

I am very much aware of that, which is why I've never started any graphics with selective coloring or vibrance layers or color balance, especially since I know those heighten the colors. XD I went through curves and lightness layers first to tone down the vibrant colors and then used the selective coloring to lighten most colors and make the blue pop out a bit like the fourth sample image. :) Sadly, it's the crisp brightness effect that I want that I can't achieve (not a vintage coloring).

Thanks for trying!