Winner Elite by Raquel Welch

Winner Elite by Raquel Welch

Winner Elite by Raquel Welch has been a confirmed best-seller for over 20 years — and the construction it delivers at under two ounces explains every year of that loyalty. A pixie wig with barely waved layers, a wispy bang, textured layering on top with length at the crown, and a tapered neckline that gives you coverage where you need it most. The Winner has been the Signature Collection's most beloved short pixie for decades. Winner Elite is what happens when that beloved style is rebuilt from the ground up with the most natural-appearance construction available at this weight: a 100% hand-tied monofilament top where every fiber is individually knotted for natural hair growth simulation and multi-directional parting, a 1.5" deep Sheer Indulgence™ lace front for a naturally convincing hairline, a 100% hand-tied base throughout, non-slip silicone at the front, crown, and nape, and bendable ear tabs for a discreet, secure fit. With a firm shake right out of the box, this short boy cut is as easy to style as it is comfortable to wear. Best-seller. Twenty years. One shake. Yours.

At a Glance

Not sure if Winner Elite is the right style for your face shape? Use the Face Shape Analyzer to find your perfect match — then see it on yourself with the MyHairMagic virtual try-on app before you buy. The only premium wig try-on app of its kind.

What Makes Winner Elite Work

The Pixie Silhouette: Wispy Bang, Textured Top, Tapered Neckline

Winner offers a wispy bang, textured layering on top with length at the crown and layered ends. The tapered neckline has a touch of length, giving you coverage where you need it most. The wispy bang at 2.75" frames the face with the feathered, light-textured fringe quality that blends naturally into the layered pixie body. The textured layering on top — with the crown at 3" as the longest point — creates the dimensional, naturally-lifted character of a precision pixie cut. The tapered neckline at 1.75" is the clean, close finish that makes Winner Elite look professionally executed from every angle including from behind.

100% Hand-Tied Monofilament Top — Individually Knotted Throughout

Elegant Wigs provides the most precise construction confirmation: "Raquel Welch Winner Elite features a 100% hand tied monofilament top — individually knotted for natural hair movement and parting flexibility." Every fiber throughout the crown area is individually hand-knotted on a sheer, skin-toned mesh base — creating convincing natural scalp simulation in every direction. ManeWigs confirms: "Full monofilament cap construction of high grade materials provides natural looking part wherever you prefer." Multi-directional parting anywhere across the full crown with natural-looking scalp appearance at every position.

Sheer Indulgence™ 1.5" Deep Lace Front

Elegant Wigs confirms the lace front depth: "a 1½" deep lace front." The Sheer Indulgence™ lace is individually hand-sewn and spans the full front perimeter — creating the natural-looking hairline that makes Winner Elite convincing at close range. In a short pixie where the wispy bang is continuously in the wearer's peripheral vision and the hairline is prominently visible at conversational distance, the 1.5" depth provides genuine off-the-face styling freedom and the specific hairline quality that makes Winner Elite feel like a natural short haircut rather than an obvious wig.

100% Hand-Tied Base + Non-Slip Silicone

ManeWigs confirms: "100% hand-tied base for luxury and comfort" with "non-slip silicone at front, crown, and nape." The 100% hand-tied base means every strand throughout the sides and back is individually knotted — the organic, individual-strand movement throughout the full cap rather than only at the monofilament top and lace front areas. The non-slip silicone at three points (front, crown, nape) provides secure positioning throughout active daily wear — the specific security construction that makes Winner Elite stable when the firm-shake styling technique is applied.

The "Firm Shake" Styling Method

Wigs.com confirms the specific Winner Elite styling technique: "With a firm shake right out of the box, this short boy cut is as easy to style as it is comfortable to wear." The firm shake — holding the cap at the nape and giving it a deliberate shake — activates the barely waved layered character and settles the individual hand-tied strands into their natural positions. For a 100% hand-tied style, this shake-to-style approach specifically uses the hand-tied base's individual strand freedom to achieve the natural-looking settled character that the style is known for. No tools, no products, no technique — one shake.

An Honest Note: Lace Front Comfort

One WigStudio1 reviewer specifically notes that the lace front can feel scratchy and not lie flat for some wearers. WigStudio1's response provides the confirmed solution: "Run a fabric softener sheet gently on the underside, or give the wig a quick wash, which can sometimes help soften the lace a bit." For wearers with sensitive scalps or skin who find new lace fronts stiff on first wear, a gentle wash before the first wearing — or the fabric softener sheet technique — typically resolves the initial stiffness and improves the lay of the lace against the skin. This is a common first-wear characteristic of premium lace fronts and is manageable with either technique.

Winner Elite's Color Range and Community Favorites

Winner Elite is available in Raquel Welch's comprehensive R-series, S+, and SS Shadow Shade color range. Wigs.com community photography confirms three most-photographed colors: R1621S+ Glazed Sand (confirmed @oliviamcveigh_ in multiple posts — "Medium Honey Blonde With Platinum Blonde Highlights and Ash Brown Lowlights"), R61 Palest Pearl (confirmed @mels.be.ageless — "Pearlescent, Soft White"), and R6/28H Coppery Mink (the featured model color — "Dark Medium Brown Evenly Blended with Vibrant Red Highlights"). SS17/23 Shaded Iced Latte Macchiato and R9S+ Glazed Mahogany are the additional featured colors at confirmed retailers.

WigStudio1 confirms specialty gradient colors including R119G Gradient Smoke (light brown with 80% gray in front gradually blended into 50% gray in nape), R388G Gradient Smoked Walnut, and R511G Gradient Charcoal — the same progressive gray gradient options seen in Power and Miles of Style. In Winner Elite's 100% hand-tied construction, SS Shadow Shade rooted colors and dimensional gradient grays are particularly natural-looking: the individually knotted monofilament top shows the root depth at exactly the crown's most examined zone, and the lighter mid-lengths distribute through the short pixie layers with the organic, naturally-varied quality that makes dimensionally colored short hair look professionally colored rather than uniformly dyed.

Winner Elite vs. Winner: The Upgrade Explained

Winner (capless, Memory Cap® II, no lace front, no monofilament, Vibralite®, petite/average/large cap sizes, 1.75 oz) is the original best-seller — the same pixie silhouette in a basic open cap construction at a more accessible price point. Winner Elite (100% hand-tied throughout, Sheer Indulgence™ lace front, 100% hand-tied monofilament top, silicone at front/crown/nape, Average cap only, 1.5 oz) is the construction upgrade — the same beloved pixie rebuilt with the most natural-appearing, most natural-moving construction available at this weight in the Signature Collection. Same silhouette. Same barely waved layers. Same wispy bang. Same tapered neckline. Different construction tier entirely.

Winner is the accessible everyday pixie. Winner Elite is the same pixie for the wearer who wants to forget it is a wig.

Who Should Wear Winner Elite?

• Wearers who love the Winner pixie silhouette and want the most natural-appearing construction available at this weight — the 100% hand-tied monofilament top, lace front, and hand-tied base are the complete premium construction package for this style at 1.5 oz
• Wearers who want to part their short pixie anywhere across the crown with natural-looking scalp simulation in every position — confirmed multi-directional parting across the full monofilament top
• The "firm shake is all I need" everyday wearer — one shake, the hand-tied strands settle naturally, done
• Medical wig wearers who want the most natural-looking short pixie construction available — confirmed by WigOutlet reviewer: "I can't live without it" for a chemo hair loss wearer; the non-slip silicone at front, crown, and nape provides secure wear without adhesive on sensitive scalps
• Multi-color collectors — Winner Elite's consistent best-seller status and community-photographed color range make it one of the most re-purchased short styles in the Signature Collection
• Gray and gradient color devotees — Winner Elite's gradient gray range (R119G, R388G, R511G) is specifically confirmed and celebrated; the hand-tied monofilament top shows dimensional gray colors at their most natural-looking

Care & Maintenance

Winner Elite uses Kanekalon Vibralite® fiber. Not heat-styleable — no flat irons, curling irons, or blow dryers.

• First wash recommended: A gentle wash before first wearing softens the lace front and improves its lay against the skin; alternatively, gently run a fabric softener sheet on the underside of the lace front
• Styling: Firm shake to style out of the box; finger-style or use a wide-tooth comb with optional styling product for additional definition; never brush; no heat tools
• Washing: Every 8–12 wears using synthetic wig shampoo in cool water; allow water to flow in the direction of the fibers — never rub; rinse thoroughly
• Drying: Dab gently with a towel; air dry on a wig stand — never a solid head stand which can stretch the lightweight cap; do not brush or comb while wet
• Storage: Wig stand away from direct sunlight and heat sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winner Elite heat friendly?
No. Kanekalon Vibralite® fiber is not heat-styleable. Heat tools permanently damage the fiber. The barely waved pixie character is pre-set and maintained with a firm shake and optional finger-styling only.

What is the difference between Winner and Winner Elite?
Cap construction. Winner is capless with no lace front or monofilament. Winner Elite has a 100% hand-tied base, 100% hand-tied monofilament top, 1.5" deep Sheer Indulgence™ lace front, and non-slip silicone at three points. Both use the same pixie silhouette. Winner Elite is the premium construction upgrade. Winner is also available in Petite and Large cap sizes; Elite is Average only.

Is the lace front comfortable?
Some wearers find the lace front initially stiff on first wear. WigStudio1 confirms: a gentle wash before first wearing or a fabric softener sheet run gently on the underside of the lace typically softens it and improves the lay against the skin.

Is Winner Elite suitable for women with hair loss?
Yes — specifically recommended for medical wig wearers. The 1.5" deep Sheer Indulgence™ lace front creates a convincing natural hairline. The 100% hand-tied monofilament top provides natural scalp simulation throughout the crown. Non-slip silicone at front, crown, and nape provides secure positioning without adhesive. At 1.5 oz with 100% hand-tied construction, Winner Elite is the most natural-appearing, most comfortable short premium pixie construction in the Signature Collection.

Also available: Winner (Petite, Average, and Large cap sizes). Explore the full Raquel Welch Signature Collection at MyHairMail.com.