Invest in a good curling iron or just style at a hair salon?

Hello, l'm new to this thread! l figured l could use some help. l have started to try to improve my appearance and how to make myself look and feel good about myself. And my biggest accessory is my long and thick hair. l have always gotten compliments from friends and strangers about it.

But the thing is that l can't style my hair or make updos.

Why? Because well... my friends live far away from me, and l don't go out much by myself. So l only feel like it's worth to put in the effort and look pretty if l'm going to see someone or go to dinner, a concert or an event. And whenever l'm going to meet my friends l usually go to a hairsalon to get it curled, because it just feels worth it? Why should l style my hair all the time when l don't see someone?

It's the same with makeup. l really don't put on makeup at all. l just go all out if something important will happen.

But at the same time, why should l be dependent on hair salons doing my hair and spending money on it? Wouldn't it be more fun and also important to learn the techniques of curling my hair by myself? If l practice enough and invest in a good curling iron and some good hair products, l could get the same result.

l hesitate about this because again, l don't style my hair that much, l maybe see my friends or do something special once a month, or maybe once between 3 months. (my life kinda hinders me, l won't go into the details). Is it really worth the money and the products?

I'm also going to the US for one week, and l wish to have pretty hair everyday when l'm on vacation. Wouldn't it be good to then know how to properly style my hair for that trip?