Lipsticks are a personal thing. The perfect lipstick will really depend on your skin tone and body chemistry - more acidic people will alter/darken the color of your makeup, there are the tried and tested lip products that will suit (and look great) on most people.
Make sure to have your bases covered and have these top 3 staples and favorites in your beauty arsenal:

1. Red - This classic color would take you anywhere you want to go. For a more classic look, stick to non-glossy, satin or matte finish.

Splurge: MAC's Ruby Woo or Russian Red - both red favorites, any of the two would look great on just about anyone. If I have to choose, it would be Ruby Woo. For me, its retro matte finish lends a more vintage, Old Hollywood glam.

Wet n Wild Stoplight Red on lips

Save: More reds are now becoming available on different price points. Wet n Wild's Stoplight Red or Red Velvet would give you the same Old Hollywood glamour for much, much, less.

2. Pink - The fun and flirty sister of the red lipstick, pink would give you a pop of color without being too much "in the face."

MAC Candy Yum Yum on lips

Splurge: MAC's bestselling Candy Yum Yum has been proven to look good on both fair and darker skinned ladies. Most ladies might be turned off with the very bright, neon color on the tube, but fear not, most people can totally rock this look. It's a great everyday fuschia lipstick, plus it's an awesome “night out on the town” kind of color. For those who want a somewhat muted bright pink, MAC's Girl About Town is a perfect compromise.

Save: Wet n Wild's Nouveau Pink or Pinkerbell would give you that pop of color without causing a hole in your pocket.

3. Nude - Most people shy away from nude because they fear it makes them look like the undead. The trick is to find that perfect balance of pink-brown-peach shade that would suit your skin tone.
Splurge: It might be harder to find a universal nude color for everyone. MAC do have a great selection of nudes to choose from. My personal favorite would be Velvet Teddy which has the pinky-brown shade that allows you to look like you aren't wearing any color and your lips are just naturally fabulous. Other favorites include Myth, Blankety, Creme d'Nude and Hug Me.

The perfect nude: MAC Velvet Teddy

Save: Wet n Wild's Bare It All is pretty much a dupe of some of MAC's bestselling nudes. Rimmel's Moisture Renew in Nude Delight would also be a great nude contender.

Bonus:
4. Dark - Vampy lips are definitely on trend right now - from dark plums, berries or burgundies, you totally see everyone rocking the look. These deep colors is perfect for autumn and fall. It takes a lot of confidence to pull of the dark lip the right way but that's not to say that you shouldn't try it.
Splurge: MAC's Rebel is a dark berry that can help you transition into vampy territories with ease. For middle-ground vampy look, you can try MAC Diva, an intense dark-burgundy. For a more dramatic look, MAC's Cyber - an intense black-purple, would be the way to go. Do remember to balance your dark lips with strong eyebrows and a well-defined eye.

Save: Wet n Wild's Mega Last line has a great array of dark lip colors. Sugar Plum Fairy is perfect for a dark berry look; for burgundy lovers, try Cherry Bomb and Vamp It Up for a darker, almost black purple.