Which Makeup brands to go for?

lol!

Palette's are great. I think MAC has extended the ability to buy empty palettes and shadows in pan form to fill the palette up with, to all its freestanding stores (and online). It's great coz not only are MAC shadows great but you can buy whichever shades you like and make your own and they are very well priced.
I'd start off with a 4-pan and 4 versatile shades that can be worn alone or compliment each other.

Personally, I don't consider primer essential but lots of people do. For me, as long as I have toned and moisturised and let my skin rest before applying foundation, the foundation and powder is fine. Good skin prep and a really good foundation are what's important here.
There is one I recommend to keep skin matte but even I don't use it on a daily basis - just for occasions.