I'm old school... i use clinque superbalanced liquid foundation with the transparent loose powder over the top (to get rid of the shine), or the face powder for that real fancy made up look iykwim (usually if I know photos are going to be involved LOL). It's light and goes well with combination skin (the foundation with transparent powder, that is). You can layer it for heavy or light wear (the foundation). When i was working FT i wore it every day but now only when I go out somewhere. I have tried minerals and I don't think they're the same... they don't have the same wear and the ones i did try made me feel greasey.
Everything else (mascara, eye liner etc) I just use el-cheapo something or rather from woolies. I don't think the quality of that matters, but you do need a good quality "canvas" to apply it too

And yes, I use brown eye liner. I love it much more than black, it isn't as harsh. I still go with the black eyelashes tho