Sorry Heidi, I must have missed this post while I was on vacation.
I LOVE Shaded Lilac, but maybe it's just a personal fave? I don't really like Victorian Velvet. I think I bought Victorian Violet because maybe it was the only purple for a while? It's a pinky, kind of dusty rose/purple. I only have it in Distress. I have Shaded lilac in both distress and oxide. Shaded Lilac is a blue/purple.
In the browns I probably use walnut stain and vintage photo the most for distressed edges. Now I need to look at Gathered Twigs!
Oooh, and green ... fave is Peeled Paint. Newly added ... Twisted Citron.
Other faves ... spiced marmalade, worn lipstick
I'm looking at my swatches, yes, Mermaid lagoon is close to Salty Ocean. Mermaid Lagoon is just a little bit greener, then Peacock Feathers has even more green in it.
When I look at my swatches, it seems my most used/faves are the older colors. Maybe because they are old favorites and I'm most familiar with them, or they are just classics ...? I haven't added every new color. I did buy Speckled Egg. It's pretty and unique. I don't think you'll find it too close to a color you already own.
I think another good way to choose would be to find a youtube video with someone's favorite blends (if you want to ink blend). Then you could see what you need to make those blends.
I have Distress Recipes printed out on ATC sized cards ... I don't know who made them up, and they are old so probably don't include the newer colors ... google it, maybe? Justine Hovey has a video ... she pared down her supplies and has a video on what she kept. She likes brights.
Of course these are personal preference, but they might give you a few ideas.
I like the way Distress Oxides stamp, especially the way they stick to clear stamps. For me, I reach for Distress Oxides where I used to use Colorbox chalk inks. Sadly, Colorbox is closed. Although I don't notice the problem with inks beading up on clear stamps that I used to ... maybe because I'm buying better/made in USA, photopolymer stamps? Maybe because stamping with Archival first, then wiping off and stamping with another ink works to prime them?
So because I know I'm late in responding ...
What did you choose? Did you pick up any new Distress colors?