Stencil maker confusion

I have recently added glitter and mica tattoos to my face painting business but I would like to be able to create my own stencils. I do what I always do and that's come to this forum to get an idea of what I needed. I should have paid attention to the date on the forums because I went out and got a Cricut thinking that I could use the SCAL software but quickly found out that it is no longer compatible with the cricket and the software they have in its place is complicated at best. So I returned that and I'm considering a silhouette. Through my research I have found plethora of other machines that say they cut stencils but I'm confused because many of them use thermal Heat While others are simply cutting machines. There are so many and at varying prices. No complaints about the Cricut per se but it's the only thing that I was going to use it for and it was awfully costly to the make it so difficult.  I had High Hopes about having some custom tattoo stencils by this weekend for a coming event but I'm losing hope quickly.

I am not a computer savy and I am been using my cameo for 8 years now, actually I just got a CAMEO 3 for $200 at walmart.com (I paid $300  for my first one 8 years ago) I only use it to cut stencils for glitter tattoos and the plastic stencils for face painting, but you can use it to make t-shirts or add a special touch to your balloon décor.
Silhoutte Cameo is really easy to use, you don't need to buy any program or ready designs, I google the stencil I want like " stars stencil" because I don't know how to use the vector programs I only use black and white images and I am able to cut them in any size I want, I also use the vinyl "contact paper" they sell for lining the kitchen you can find it at Walmart or at big lots a $1.99 per roll.

I ended up getting a Cameo myself! I have been too busy to really dig in yet but your reply is encouraging even after the fact. I got some adhesive vinyl made by Cricut when I still had that and I imagine it will work fine and I must have a dozen rolls of contact paper in the garage, so I guess I'm good to go.Thank you for your reply!!