Several years ago I wandered into a Sephora with my friend Dana and on a whim, started playing with some pretty bright lipsticks.  I was surprised by how much I liked the intense hues and have never looked back.  Since then, my lipstick collection has increased exponentially.  While I still like to play around with new colors, there are 6 (that’s right, 6!) colors that I always keep stocked.  This way, no matter what my mood, weather, or occasion, I’m always prepared with the perfect finishing touch for any look.  While your exact lipstick may vary from mine based on your skin tone, these are the shades that I think are the basic essentials that every girl should get familiar with.

You can also check out my guide to Red Lipsticks throughout the year.