Sophia, aka “Sophy Vamps,” is a San Diego native and multidisciplinary artist with a passion for unconventional beauty, film, fashion, horror, drag, and all things transformative. Growing up in San Diego’s local rave scene, she found a community where self-expression, creativity, and individuality felt most at home. In 2017, she graduated from Makeup Designory’s Master Makeup Program and began building a career in makeup, working with clothing brands, San Diego Fashion Week, and eventually achieving a longtime dream of painting performers for Insomniac Entertainment. Her work has also taken her into the worlds of SFX and character makeup through Scream Zone Del Mar and The Haunted Amusement Park. Her journey into hair began in Diana’s chair, where she found the inspiration to pivot her career and enroll at Paul Mitchell just months later. That same month, Hard Dresser Salon was born, setting Sophia on a path that would ultimately lead her to what she now considers home. At Hard Dresser, she specializes in creative cuts, fashion colors, bold transformations, and custom extensions. Outside of the chair, Sophia loves collaborating with other creatives and helping bring their visions to life through hair, makeup, and creative direction. When she’s not creating, you can find her collaging, painting, and drawing inspiration from nightlife, music, and films.
