Meet Stephanie
Founder of SOCO Salon, Dublin
Educator | Colour Specialist | Redken Artist
Stephanie Maher is the heart and soul behind SOCO by The Sober Colourist, a salon space in Dublin known for creating rich, dimensional colour with a lived-in feel. Specialising in luminous blondes, soft coppers, natural brunettes and seamless blends, Stephanie has built a loyal following of clients who return for her signature effortless, elevated style.
With a career that began at just 13, Stephanie grew up in the hair world—starting with Saturday shifts and growing into an award-nominated salon owner and respected educator. Her path, however, hasn’t been traditional. As a recovered drug addict, Stephanie’s life story is one of deep transformation. She credits education—both learning and teaching—as the key to rediscovering her passion and purpose. It didn’t just change her craft—it saved her life.
Now a proud Redken Artist, Stephanie educates nationally for the brand and also shares her own lived-in colour methodology through independent classes, workshops, and mentoring. Her teaching style blends technical know-how with real-world experience and a strong dose of honesty and heart.
Stephanie believes that great colour is about more than formula—it’s about feeling. Whether behind the chair or leading a room of stylists, she’s here to make people feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Your journey to lived-in, elevated colour starts here—let’s grow something beautiful together.
Meet Effie
Senior Stylist
Effie Dunne is one of the most experienced and trusted stylists at The Sober Colourist, bringing over 20 years of industry expertise to the salon floor. With a reputation for her calm, no-nonsense approach and consistently flawless results, Effie is a true master of her craft — especially when it comes to hair extensions. Her precision, care, and ability to create seamless, natural transformations have made her a go-to for clients who want beautiful, believable results.
Effie is as solid as they come — loyal, grounded, and incredibly hardworking. She brings a quiet confidence to the team and is the kind of stylist clients return to for years, not just for the hair, but for the trust she builds along the way.
Outside the salon, Effie’s energy doesn’t slow down. She loves the gym, travelling to new places, and discovering the best spots to eat — so whether you’re after great hair or the best pasta in Dublin, she’s your girl. Family means everything to her, and when she’s not behind the chair, you’ll find her soaking up time with her loved ones.
Effie is proof that experience, consistency, and heart never go out of style.
Meet Maria
Senior Stylist
Maria is a key part of the SOCO team and another stylist Stephanie personally sought out when building her dream team. With extensive experience across cutting, colour, and all hair extension systems, Maria brings a high level of skill and versatility to every client.
Specialising in tapes, nanos, beads, and wefts, Maria is known for creating seamless, natural-looking extensions that blend effortlessly. Alongside this, her true passion lies in cutting and restyling, making her the go-to for clients ready for a full transformation.
An accomplished colourist with a signature polished blow-dry to finish, Maria delivers complete, considered results from start to end. Her work is tailored, refined, and designed to suit each individual client.
With a background as a personal trainer, Maria brings a strong sense of discipline and focus to her work, balanced with a warm, fun personality that clients genuinely connect with. Her chair is a space where people feel comfortable, looked after, and confident in the result.
With consistent five-star feedback from clients, Maria is a trusted choice for anyone looking for a transformational cut or expert hair extensions.
Meet Saoirse
Stylist
Saoirse O’Neill is a distinguished colourist at SOCO, renowned for her exceptional expertise in blonding and balayage services. Her remarkable skills in hair artistry, combined with an innate talent for creating stunning transformations, have made her a sought-after professional in the industry. Saoirse plays a pivotal role at SOCO, functioning as the glue that holds the team together, ensuring the salon operates seamlessly and efficiently. In addition to her technical proficiency, Saoirse is celebrated for her warm and inviting personality. Her infectious laugh and genuine warmth create a welcoming atmosphere for clients, making each visit a delightful experience. Her ability to forge strong connections with clients, coupled with her exceptional results, renders her work truly magical. Outside the salon, Saoirse is a devoted dog mom to her two beloved fur babies, Hugo and Major. She also dedicates her spare time to competing in Hyrox, showcasing her commitment to fitness and personal challenge. With her blend of professional excellence, vibrant personality, and a passion for life, Saoirse O’Neill is an invaluable asset to SOCO, and she warmly welcomes all new clients to experience her artistry firsthand.
Meet Shannon
Beauty Therapist
Shannon is the Beauty Therapist at SOCO, leading the beauty side of the salon with experience, precision, and a genuine passion for her craft.
Shannon first worked with Stephanie 13 years ago in her very first salon, fresh out of college. When the time came to introduce beauty into SOCO, there was only one person Stephanie trusted to lead it, and that was Shannon.
With over a decade of experience, Shannon has built a reputation for exceptional attention to detail across all treatments. From detailed, results-driven manicures including BIAB, gel, and nail treatments, to lash lifts, brow laminations, and the signature SOCO Bespoke Brow, every service is tailored and meticulously executed.
Her approach to brows is particularly known, with in-depth mapping and shaping to create a completely personalised result for each client.
Shannon is also a trained skin specialist, working with Dermalogica to deliver advanced facial treatments, including Pro 30 and Pro 60 services designed to target individual skin concerns and support long-term skin health.
Warm, experienced, and highly skilled, Shannon has created a space within SOCO where clients feel looked after, confident, and consistently impressed with their results.
Real Techniques.
Real Talk.
Real Results.
Stephanie Maher’s education courses go beyond colour theory and formulas. They are immersive, empowering sessions created to elevate your skillset, reignite your creativity, and give you the tools to thrive behind the chair.
What our clients say...
Stephanie is a wonderful colourist and is dedicated to ensuring that you walk out from her brand new fabulous salon with shiny (she uses great products ) glossy hair 🙂
An amazing new salon and a 5 star colourist. Love my fresh new colour. Thank you Stephanie.
The experience with Stephanie is like no other - it’s so lovely to see her in her own space doing what she does best. Her personality is so warm and there’s always fun to be had! Very importantly, my hair always looks and feels amazing when I leave and there’s no denying she can make magic happen once you’re sitting in one of her chairs!
Stephanie is great she makes you feel totally relaxed and I’m so happy with my hair
5 out of 5!!
NOW BOOKING APPOINTMENTS | LOOK & LEARN | HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS | MENTORSHIP DAYS | SALON TEAM TRAINING
- 20 Crumlin Road, Dublin 12, D12FW96
- +353 87 470 3519
- sobercolourist@gmail.com