Ah to be young again and use make up for fun instead of cover up!
I say go for the quality stuff! I use Estee Lauder. It lasts forever and winds up costing less than the drug store brands in the long run. It also looks a lot nicer and is better for your skin. You don't want to use the cheap stuff that clogs pores and wind up with a bad complexion in your thirties.
Watch for the deals! Estee Lauder will often have a whole set of make up free with a minimum purchase. Sometimes you may have to pay a little for the bonus set but it is very much worth it! I got a little "train case" last year filled with make up, brushes, cleanser, moisturizer, etc.... all for a small price.
At your age, the cleansing is the biggest tip -- I love Estee Lauder's Foaming Face Cleanser. Very gentle, really cleans the pores and leaves your skin feeling great!