I think it's the lighting on her face, the perspective and the way the head stands out so very much whilst blending into an interesting background that lends itself to the feel of image. It was again the first icon to grab my eye when I opened this post. It's a dramatic scene and I think that icon does it justice.
There were so many excellent entries in this round and it really depends what takes a person's eye and what their preferences are. I think I've said before that I seldom pick the winners in icon challenges. :D
There are two icons here that are a little jarring for me. Blending - I think it is because the faces are two different sizes and the one on the left dominates too much - it's lighter, has a harsher expression and it is bigger than the right. I'd have liked the features to be around the same level. Love the red lips by the way and the idea and it's just my thoughts on perspectives.
Close Crop - I love the cut. I love the lighting and the colour. The slash across her lips seems a bit out of place or perhaps I think it needs to be a bit more blood coloured, a bit more wound like. Her mouth got her into trouble (as mouths always do) both opening it and not opening it when she perhaps should have so I quite like the idea of this one.
I really like your experimentation, stepping outside to have a go. The lighting in a lot of them is great and I don't know if that was accident or you worked hard to get it. EG the orange glow across her body in Monochrome is so excellent to pull that whole image together. You've taken advantage of the image's lighting in many of these and lighting just changes the message so much. Remember, keep doing it for yourself. It's very nice when others like your work but you have to like what you do, you are the driver that will make you grow. :D