go into a bike shop and try a few on, helmets have to fit properly to be effective, and each brand has a slightly different shape, so it's worth trying different brands, the cheapest/most expensive one isn't always the best one for you

$40 canadian will get you a decent beginner xc lid
$50 can will get you a good skate lid

Full faces start around $110 and go to about $650....anything in the 150-200$ range is a good place to start.

A friend of mine also makes this thing called a chin jock that helps to keep your helmet on your head.

Check it.

http://racetecnology.ca/store/chin_jock.html

whats the benefits to the 2 styles of helmets. bucket vs. you know, the other one.

skate lids are better then xc lids when it comes to protection.

but they don't breath well and they are heavier.

I'm a Giro Fan too, I have an E2, a Remedy and XEN, for me there's no more helmet brands.