tutorial time!!

Get a base, resize & crop to 100x100, and duplicate the layer.
Set to screen at 74%.

Make a new selective color layer: Layer > New Layer > Selective Color.
REDS: -100, -27, -40, 36
YELLOWS: 100, -6, -70, 22
GREENS: 100, 100, 100, -28
Click OK.

Create another selective color layer:
REDS: -45, 0, 38, 0
YELLOWS: +24, 0, -100, -69
GREENS: 100, -71, -100, 10
CYANS: 100, 100, 100, 0
NEUTRALS: 0, 0, 10, 0
Click Ok.

Create a new Levels layer-- on the RGB channel use these settings on the input levels: 13, 1.24 and 243. On the output levels use the settings 0 and 255.

Merge all layers. 

Duplicate the layer. Go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur. Use these settings-
Amount: 77
Blur Method: Spin
Quality: Best
Click OK.
Using the eraser tool erase from around Alexis' face. 

Merge all layers - feel free to add text, textures etc if you like. I added the text "Merry Christmas" (Ben Brown, size 18) on the bottom of the icon along with some tiny text.