Kaela Dobson is a New York–based makeup artist whose work lives at the intersection of beauty, character, and storytelling. With over fifteen years in film and television, she has developed a distinct voice defined by refined detail, modern sensibility, and a deep understanding of how makeup shapes on-screen identity.

Known for her elevated yet intuitive approach, Kaela brings both technical precision and creative depth to every project. Her work often extends beyond traditional makeup into bespoke, character-driven design—incorporating custom gold teeth, intricate tattoo applications and cover-ups, elevated nail artistry and press-ons, and highly specialized likeness makeup. Each element is thoughtfully crafted to feel authentic, cinematic, and visually compelling.

Kaela has served as Makeup Department Head across a range of notable productions, including Amazon Prime’s Harlem Season 2 and Harlan Coben’s Shelter, as well as two seasons of CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted from Emmy Award–winning executive producers Dick Wolf and René Balcer. Her portfolio also includes Marvel’s Luke Cage and Iron Fist, and HBO’s critically acclaimed, Golden Globe–nominated The Night Of.

Most recently, she completed work on the FX/Hulu series American Sports Story: Gladiator, and continues to shape the visual landscape of contemporary television as Makeup Department Head on Netflix’s The Hunting Wives Season 2, along with the upcoming Netflix comedy Big Mistakes from Dan Levy.

Kaela’s passion for beauty began early—she became a licensed cosmetologist before graduating high school, later refining her craft at Make-up Designory NYC. She is a proud member of IATSE Local 798, and is known for her calm leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering attention to detail.

Balancing artistry with intention, Kaela creates work that not only enhances performance, but elevates the entire visual narrative—making her a trusted collaborator for productions seeking both excellence and a distinctly modern point of view.