[Alyssia]

Well I don't have a lot of makeup, and I only ware it when something is going on like a date, or job interview. I actually had to chuck a good amount of it before moving as it would have expired before I would have been able to get to it.
When I buy I buy from M.A.C (I love the colors because they just seem really vibrant to me)or from Sephora, but there is a ton out there. I get freebies from my grammy sometimes (MaryKay) and I also like Avon as well. I do feel a little deprived, because I don't ware it often, and I don't play around with it as much as I could. Maybe I'll give it a go a little later on when I can afford all the colors I want.
I can't say that I agree with with they tell you when it comes to Applicators 100% of the time.

To me there's no point in buying a $100+ brush set when you don't really know how to use it to its full. I tend to buy the basic brush sets for $5~$15 first, and get comphy with using it, and learning how to use it before splurging on a pricier set. But they do feel different and in some ways make a difference too....so buy them when you're ready for them.