I love the experiment! Very well done. What method (or software) did you use for cutting her out? Compositing is still a scary term to me.
I didn't mean that the colors in #1 are "off," per say, as much as they just don't blend together. CB would help, but I still think it might look best in b/w.
Getting the pop in #2 would require hair and rim lights, I think. But I'm no lighting expert. I was thinking a second side light like the one Gary used in his latest Steampunk shot.