I just discovered ELF at Target. That stuff is amazing! I simplly LOVE their mascara and eyeliner. I haven't replaced everything yet, cause I wanted to try it first. But I will now. Most of the things are $1, some are $3, and the only "expensive" item is the foundation for $6.
I do not like pallettes, because I only use one shade and the rest gets wasted, so I buy singles.
No false eye lashes, I think they're too obvious and fake looking.

So, right now my routine is, Neutrogena anti shine primer, Garnier BB cream, Neutrogena anti shine powder, powder bronzer, powder blush, then eye shadow base (that step is so important for me, and I use Neutrogena), some of the anti shine powder over the base, then eyebrow pencil and clear gel (my eyebrows look terrible without a bit of help), black pencil eyeliner along the top lash line, I usually make a rather thick line, because it gets covered anyway, then shimmery brown eye shadow all over the lid, covering the eyeliner so that it *just* shows through, and a bit of eyeshadow under the lower lashline, then I curl my eyelashes and put that ELF mascara on, top and bottom, while I keep the bottom one light. Another layer of eyeshadow, and done.

I know, this sounds like an awful lot, but it only takes about 15-20 minutes, and it looks a lot more natural than it sounds. Also, it lasts all day without any touch ups. And that although I usually sweat quite a bit at work from all the running around. Friday, I put it on in the morning and went to work. I got off at 6pm, but had to come back at midnight for another shift until Saturday morning at 6am. I came home and my makeup was still perfect. LOVE it.

As for fancy brands, I LOVE Estee Lauder. That stuff is so amazing, and it's not too expensive. And it smells so good. And it really makes a difference. But right now I can't afford it. Except for the eye cream. I refuse to use anything else. And you only use a tiny bit, so it lasts forever. So that $40 really isnt' that much. And it is by far the best eye cream I have ever used in my life. I swear by it. It makes the deepest wrinkles go away. And bags.
I have tried Clinique too in the past, but that did not work for me at all, and I took it all back. The fancy brands let you take back what you don't like. Even opened. Some of the cheapo brands do that too, but not all.
Oh, and I used Mary Kay for a while too, that was nice too. But it's not cheap either. Right now I have to use cheap stuff. Luckily I found all products that work for my super dry skin, even the anti shine stuff.

Okay, enough blah blah. Sorry.