I have been eyeing up this chair from naimie's (link below) for quite awhile now.. just haven't pulled the trigger quite yet as I am thinking it will be one more thing to lug around!
However, I am tired of hunching over to see. Once in awhile I get lucky and someone has a bar stool or higher standing chair in their home, but usually I am leaning over to see which gets to be hard on the back after a long day. What do you all do, just deal with it, or are they chairs you like to use or any other ideas of how to boost your client up a little? (PS - I do mostly in home or hotel bridal work so any creative ideas are welcome.. one in awhile I will turn a pillow into an adult booster seat!).
I have a similar chair I got off Amazon. It is half the weight of a wooden director's chair, and a whole lot sturdier. I had pieces of wood breaking off mine.
LizW_Makeup
Posts: 1,621
Boston, Massachusetts, US
I have that very chair - it's the bomb. It usually lives in the trunk of my car along with a folding table, an extension cord, and my GlamCor light kit. Only thing to remember is that, because it's lightweight, it can tip forward when people climb in (making anything on the pull-out table fall over), so I always steady it.
It's awkward to carry it up lots of stairs but it is, at least, lightweight. And definitely saves my back! I'm 5'5", however, so artists who are much shorter may have trouble reaching a tall client or model who sits in it.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! I have been searching for something like this. I bought a directors chair and that thing is NOT PORTABLE at all lol. How does it break down? Easily? And compact?
LizW_Makeup
Posts: 1,621
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Tara Pagliara wrote: THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! I have been searching for something like this. I bought a directors chair and that thing is NOT PORTABLE at all lol. How does it break down? Easily? And compact?
It folds in and the side table folds down flat; the height remains the same. It's compact enough for the trunk or backseat of my car (a 2-door Honda coupe); much smaller cars like Minis or Smart Cars might be a tight fit.
I've never lugged it on public transportation, though - I could see that being a major pain d'arse. In that scenario, you might be better off with a collapsible bar stool; something really small with no bells & whistles.
I use a director's chair. It is rather heavy but it is sturdy, the right height and folds for transport. I would like to purchase one of the aluminum makeup chairs but haven't been able to find one here in Canada (shipping for the $79.99 Naimie's chair is $189.04 to Ontario and this does not include brokerage fees). I did look at a similar aluminum makeup chair at the IMATS show in Toronto but it didn't have all of the features of the Naimie's one, was a bit wobbly and was priced over $200.
In addition to the chair I usually carry my own light (Lowel Omni light with umbrella on a collapsible light stand) and a folding table. This is a lot of stuff to carry but I've found that the existing seating and lighting in many studios is extremely poor.
Nice and tall, low price point, Light weight too! Most of the Artists I know in the US that I speak with regularly, also use this chair....
It's also easy enough to strap onto a wheeled trolley to carry in, but also super easy to carry if needed, even up stairs. Since it folds flat and is a lot less bulky, it also does well for those on transit to and can often tuck up against a window and such.
As for the Table top to accompany it, I know a lot who use "TV Tray's", the newer ones even fold down into a small box-size (the size of the top piece) and often the legs just extend.... again, light weight, simple, easy set up and costs you about $20!
Barry M Robinson wrote: I use a director's chair. It is rather heavy but it is sturdy, the right height and folds for transport. I would like to purchase one of the aluminum makeup chairs but haven't been able to find one here in Canada (shipping for the $79.99 Naimie's chair is $189.04 to Ontario and this does not include brokerage fees). I did look at a similar aluminum makeup chair at the IMATS show in Toronto but it didn't have all of the features of the Naimie's one, was a bit wobbly and was priced over $200.
In addition to the chair I usually carry my own light (Lowel Omni light with umbrella on a collapsible light stand) and a folding table. This is a lot of stuff to carry but I've found that the existing seating and lighting in many studios is extremely poor.
Hi Barry,
Can you tell me where to get your light? Do you have a pic of it?
Natalie Guest
Posts: 42
London, England, United Kingdom
I use a folding kitchen stool from Ikea - £15!
It only folds flat, so it's still pretty long so I only take it with me if I'm driving, but as I'm 5'10 I can't do the crouching over people sitting on a work chair/kitchen dining chair, it absolutely kills my back and shoulders.
I take it whenever I can - before I got it I was turning into a hunch-back cripple, it's been a saviour!
My light is a Lowel Omni-light with a white Tota-brella on a Manfrotto Black Aluminum 3-Section Stacker Stand Here is what the kit looks like broken down for transport. The umbrella on the right is 48cm long. The cord and switch combination for the light is on the left. The entire lighting kit (stand, umbrella, light and cord) is less than 3kg.
Denise
Posts: 1,848
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
I use a barstool from Jysk (also have seen it at Home Outfitters). It's lightweight, swivels, padded seat and back and adjusts in height, but it doesn't fold up.
When there is no tall chair available and you want to save your back, sit in a chair facing your client but to their side, (if you're right handed your right side would be beside her right side) that way you can work on her from the same height.
I have a wooden director's chair from Pier 1.. it is a pain in the butt! But I do have an ikea 5 minutes away.. I think I am going to go there and get that barstool lol.
The MUA I assist has the aluminum one that you all refered too. She loves it.
It folds in and the side table folds down flat; the height remains the same. It's compact enough for the trunk or backseat of my car (a 2-door Honda coupe); much smaller cars like Minis or Smart Cars might be a tight fit.
I've never lugged it on public transportation, though - I could see that being a major pain d'arse. In that scenario, you might be better off with a collapsible bar stool; something really small with no bells & whistles.
Well I have a car and most times will drive into the city and park in a garage. I really dislike the train haha! The only thing is I would have to lug that with my kit, most times there is high chairs. All studios should come with them, we can dream cant we?
My light is a Lowel Omni-light with a white Tota-brella on a Manfrotto Black Aluminum 3-Section Stacker Stand Here is what the kit looks like broken down for transport. The umbrella on the right is 48cm long. The cord and switch combination for the light is on the left. The entire lighting kit (stand, umbrella, light and cord) is less than 3kg.
Close-up of light and umbrella.
Thank you Barry! I just have 1 quick question, and I feel stupid asking this, but what is the umbrella for?
MakeUp By CC
Posts: 290
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Denise wrote: When there is no tall chair available and you want to save your back, sit in a chair facing your client but to their side, (if you're right handed your right side would be beside her right side) that way you can work on her from the same height.
This^^^^is what I do...
If I had a car I'd buy a portable chair..
Nice and tall, low price point, Light weight too! Most of the Artists I know in the US that I speak with regularly, also use this chair....
I use this chair as well. You can't really beat it for the price! It does get difficult to lug this, my portable table, and my makeup/hair kit all at the same time so I am not sure how I would function if I had to take public transportation, but the chair itself is lightweight and a great height.
Thanks for all the replies.. was pretty much dead-set on the aluminum one, but now I am eyeing up that gem from IKEA.. decisions, decisions!!! Thanks for everyone's input
Lisa Chy wrote: I have that chair from naimie's. I'm only 5' tall so the chair is wayyy too high for me. I have been trying to sell in on craigslist for months!
I absolutely agree with this! I am 5'1", and the chair from Naimie's was not suitable for me at all. I think your decision really needs to depend on your height to make sure whatever you choose will be a comfortable fit for you.
SO glad you posted this chair from IKEA. I would have never thought to check there, but ended up stopping by and buying it today.. it's the perfect height for me (I'm about 5'5), not to heavy, and best of all, the price was right @ just under $30.00!! Also, I love that it folds up and fits in the trunk, which is where it will most likely stay when not being used
PS - in case anyone else is in the market for one of these, it was marked down in store from $34.99 to $29.99.. not sure if this means they are discontinuing it or not??
Thanks again!
Felicia Bromba wrote: As mentioned already, Trying to get a Director's style chair in Canada is ridiculous. The few that are available are close to $200 just to ship in
In which case I know a Ton of Artist that use the ones from IKEA, Primarily this one:
Nice and tall, low price point, Light weight too! Most of the Artists I know in the US that I speak with regularly, also use this chair....
It's also easy enough to strap onto a wheeled trolley to carry in, but also super easy to carry if needed, even up stairs. Since it folds flat and is a lot less bulky, it also does well for those on transit to and can often tuck up against a window and such.
As for the Table top to accompany it, I know a lot who use "TV Tray's", the newer ones even fold down into a small box-size (the size of the top piece) and often the legs just extend.... again, light weight, simple, easy set up and costs you about $20!
Danielle Moore
Posts: 310
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Lisa Chy wrote: I have that chair from naimie's. I'm only 5' tall so the chair is wayyy too high for me. I have been trying to sell in on craigslist for months!
oh interesting!
I'm 5'2 and I have the IKEA - it's great (comes it 2 heights - not sure which one I have). It is heavy though so I've been wanting the light weight naimies one, but that may be too high for me....
Felicia Bromba
Posts: 532
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
face_case wrote: SO glad you posted this chair from IKEA. I would have never thought to check there, but ended up stopping by and buying it today.. it's the perfect height for me (I'm about 5'5), not to heavy, and best of all, the price was right @ just under $30.00!! Also, I love that it folds up and fits in the trunk, which is where it will most likely stay when not being used
PS - in case anyone else is in the market for one of these, it was marked down in store from $34.99 to $29.99.. not sure if this means they are discontinuing it or not??
Thanks again!
Glad I could help! It really is a great option and fantastic price point.
for those of you with the naimies aluminum chair how tall is it compared to a directors chair.? i have the wood directors chair its a good height and i love it but is heavy when i have to lug around my kit with it i run out of arms. i want the aluminum one im 5 3' wondering if it will work for me
BELLAROSE MAKEUP wrote: for those of you with the naimies aluminum chair how tall is it compared to a directors chair.? i have the wood directors chair its a good height and i love it but is heavy when i have to lug around my kit with it i run out of arms. i want the aluminum one im 5 3' wondering if it will work for me
I'm 5'3" and was at Naimies today eyeing that chair. It wouldn't be too high for me to do makeup, but it would be a pain if you are a hair stylist as well.
I'm 5'3" and was at Naimies today eyeing that chair. It wouldn't be too high for me to do makeup, but it would be a pain if you are a hair stylist as well.
thanks no not a hairstylist so yey glad it will work i want it hoping its a lot lighter then my wood directors chair
Makeup By Jae Lee wrote: The chair at IKEA is on sale this week for $9.99. I pickup one up. Can't beat the price
I wonder if it is just your local Ikea with the sale, because I just checked online (for a friend since I already have the chair)and it was regular price. At that price I would go grab another one though!
Makeup By Jae Lee wrote: Ah you could be right.. might just be my area. However they may not be on sale online, but still at the store. Try calling them!
Yes, I told my friend to call before she went to pick one up. Thanks!
The Franklin chair (the one I picked up and LOVE by the way!) doesn't appear to be on sale, but there are a few other folding chairs on sale this week for $9.99 and up, although they look like they might be a bit short? The Franklin is listed under two different prices, for two different heights. I got the $29.99 one, it is the taller of the two.. I am about 5.5", always wear flats when working and it works perfect for me.
| 
| 
| edu