Easy peasy! For the dry skin (that's oily around the nose), you might want to try the Cucumber Lotion and Aloe Moisturizer from Mario Badescu. You can go to the website there and fill out a questionnaire, and they send you samples of it for free! They send you samples picked out specifically for your skin type, and you can choose to buy whichever ones you like! It's also available at Ulta if you'd like to take a look at it there. It runs a little pricier than stuff like Clean-n-Clear or Clearasil, but I'd say it's worth it.
Once you have a good foundation (ahem, in terms of skin), makeup is no problem. I use Maybelline Pure Makeup liquid foundation. It's SO light, so it will feel like you're not even wearing it, but also provides great coverage; this will be good for evening out your skin tone. Remember to always use a makeup sponge when applying! Using your fingertips is non-hygienic and messy. It also never evens out quite right. There is also Maybelline Mineral Power powder that goes along with it. I use this over the foundation on days when I want a more refined look or need a little extra coverage. These are both available at Walgreen's or Rite Aid, and often certain brands are on sale for buy-one-get-one-free/half off. They run about 8 dollars apiece regularly.
I have never used a primer and since you're not going to be wearing a ton of makeup, I don't see the point in it at this juncture.
The perfect shade can be a little trickier. I usually sneak the bottles open at the store and take a look at the liquid itself, since the pictures on the containers can be misleading. Usually the shades are pretty polarizing so you'd be able to easily pick out which one would be best for you. You can also (usually) return it if it ends up not working. I sometimes made the mistake of buying makeup in the tone I WISHED my skin looked like... Big mistake! Be realistic and sensible and finding the right shade(s) should be no problem.
As I mentioned before, Maybelline is great for foundation and powder. As for mascara, I also use Maybelline's Define-a-Lash (in the bright green or bright pink tube). I use Wet-n-Wild's Mega Line liquid eyeliner or Maybelline's Define-a-line, both in black, because I have brown eyes. Maybelline and Revlon are both generally affordable.
As for blush, I'm no expert. I have rosy-ish cheeks to begin with, so I don't worry much. To you, since you have light brown skin, I might advise using a bronzer instead of blush. Apply less than you would with blush, and you'll have a gorgeous shimmer that will both accentuate your cheekbones and add a beautiful color to your face. A very dusty, rosy pink might also accentuate your skin tone, without making it seem too olivey or yellow (which can often happen to mine.)
Lipstick is a very delicate thing. Some people look great in it; others don't. To start out, I'd say sticking with a tinted lip shimmer would be best. Burt's Bees has great tinted chapsticks. Fig and Watermelon are my favorite colors. They also have the same awesome cooling effect of all the other Burt's products. If you're comfortable with a lip shimmer (NOT a gloss), you might want to move up to lipstick. Stick with a shade you're comfortable with at first, then branch out if you'd like. Lip gloss is great in moderation, but you want to be careful so your lips aren't SUPER awkwardly shiny, or that awkward golden color that some lip glosses have. Go for gloss, not pearl. Lipstain is great, too, but like I said, find a color (or colors) that you're comfortable with in terms of lip shimmer before moving on to lipstain.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
