Elección del Editor Elite de Raquel Welch
Elección del Editor Elite de Raquel Welch
Editor's Pick by Raquel Welch has been a confirmed best-seller for years. Editor's Pick Elite is what happens when that best-seller was designed again — this time with the hair loss client in mind, and with 100% hand-tied construction throughout. The same above-the-shoulder layered bob. The same feather-cut eyelash bang blending seamlessly into full tousled layers. The same Sheer Indulgence™ lace front and full monofilament top. The same Tru2Life® heat-friendly fiber and "virtually unlimited styling options." But rebuilt entirely: a 100% hand-tied monofilament top where the fibers are individually hand-knotted throughout the entire crown. A 100% hand-tied base where every strand in the sides and back moves with the independent, organic freedom of individually knotted construction. And a design intention — "designed with the hair loss client in mind, uniquely crafted to offer the most discriminating woman the ultimate in wig fashion and comfort" — that produces the highest natural-appearance standard the Editor's Pick silhouette has ever been made to.
Reviewers say it more plainly: "everyone I know has forgotten how thin my hair was and thinks this is my real hair." And from a daily chemo wig wearer: "this is my go-to style." Editor's Pick Elite earns those responses. Every construction decision was made to earn them.
Part of Raquel Welch's Signature Collection, Editor's Pick Elite is one of the three versions of Editor's Pick alongside Average and Large. In this complete guide we cover what the Elite's 100% hand-tied construction adds to the Editor's Pick silhouette, the important measurement differences from Average, the "designed with the hair loss client in mind" design philosophy and what it produces, the heat-styling range, the full color range, and who Editor's Pick Elite was made for.
What Is Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch?
Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch is described by Wigs.com with the precision of a style that earned the "Elite" designation honestly: "Editor's Pick Elite is a gently waved and tousled layered bob that offers even more styling versatility with a hand-tied cap. This style has an upgraded cap feature from our best selling Editor's Pick with all the waves you love. Not only does this new option mean virtually unlimited styling options, but it also offers the ultimate in a light, cool fit. The only thing you'll feel in this comfortable construction is gorgeous!"
Every phrase is specific. "Upgraded cap feature" — 100% hand-tied throughout, replacing the wefted back of Editor's Pick Average. "Even more styling versatility" — hand-tied construction allows multi-directional movement at every point of the cap, not just the monofilament top and lace front areas. "Virtually unlimited styling options" — the most emphatic styling claim in the Editor's Pick family, backed by construction that genuinely supports it. And "the only thing you'll feel in this comfortable construction is gorgeous" — the promise of a style that disappears from awareness as a wig and simply becomes the wearer's hair.
Elegant Wigs adds the most important design context: "Designed with the hair loss client in mind, Editor's Pick Elite's construction is uniquely crafted to offer the most discriminating woman the ultimate in wig fashion and comfort." This is the same design philosophy that drives Center Stage and Crushing On Casual in this Raquel Welch series — and it produces the same result: construction decisions made to the most exacting natural-appearance standard, benefiting every wearer.
The Construction: What "100% Hand-Tied Throughout" Means for This Silhouette
The Full Picture — Confirmed by Elegant Wigs
Elegant Wigs provides the most precise construction description for Editor's Pick Elite: "a 100% hand tied monofilament top, a 1½" deep lace front, and a 100% Hand-Tied base." This means three areas are individually hand-knotted:
The lace front — individual hairs on transparent lace creating the natural-looking hairline.
The monofilament top — 100% hand-knotted fibers throughout the entire crown area, creating convincing multi-directional natural scalp simulation. This is the same full monofilament top as Editor's Pick Average, but the "100% hand tied" designation confirms the knotting quality specifically.
The base — every strand in the sides and back is individually hand-tied rather than machine-sewn into wefts. This is the Elite's primary construction upgrade over the Average: the sides and back that are wefted in Editor's Pick Average are hand-tied throughout in the Elite.
Why Hand-Tied Sides and Back Changes Everything
The practical difference between a wefted back and a hand-tied back is most visible in movement. In a wefted cap, strands in the sides and back are sewn into rows — they move as the rows move, which is to say, in the limited direction that the weft orientation allows. In a hand-tied back, each strand is individually knotted and free to move in any direction independently. In an above-shoulder layered wave bob, this means every strand throughout the back and sides of the style moves with the organic, multi-directional freedom of genuinely natural hair. The waves settle, shift, separate, and rejoin with each movement of the wearer's body in a way that wefted construction simply cannot replicate.
Wigs.com captures this: "virtually unlimited styling options" — and this is not just about heat tools. The hand-tied construction throughout means every styling approach — finger-tousling, brushing, sweeping the bang, wearing it different ways, pushing the hair behind the ears — produces a naturally moving result at every point of the style, not just at the monofilament top and lace front where the standard Editor's Pick is hand-tied.
Designed With the Hair Loss Client in Mind
Elegant Wigs states this explicitly, and it matters for the same reason it matters for Center Stage and Crushing On Casual: a style designed to the most exacting natural-appearance standard produces construction decisions that benefit every wearer, not just medical ones. The 100% hand-tied base creates the "no one can tell" movement quality because it was designed to meet the most demanding natural-appearance requirement possible. The low-density result of individually knotted strands — "resulting in a low density, natural looking hair growth" per Elegant Wigs — creates the specific natural-looking quality that distinguishes hand-tied construction from machine-wefted alternatives.
The Sheer Indulgence™ Temple-to-Temple Lace Front
The lace front in Editor's Pick Elite is the same Sheer Indulgence™ temple-to-temple construction as Editor's Pick Average — Raquel Welch's finest ready-to-wear lace, confirmed at 1½" deep by Elegant Wigs. The feather-cut eyelash bang at 4.5" originates at this hairline and sweeps forward with the same natural, convincing quality. The same two bang positions — forward and swept — apply. The same "almost limitless styling choices" phrase is accurate. And in the Elite, the seamless hairline at the lace front transitions into a hand-tied back with smooth construction continuity — nothing abrupt, nothing that breaks the natural-looking quality at the perimeter between the lace front and the hand-tied body.
How Editor's Pick Elite Differs From Editor's Pick Average: The Precise Comparison
Construction Differences
| Feature | Editor's Pick Average | Editor's Pick Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Lace Front | Sheer Indulgence™ temple-to-temple | Sheer Indulgence™ temple-to-temple (same) |
| Top monofilamento | Sheer Indulgence™ hand-tied | 100% hand-tied (same quality) |
| Base Construction | Memory Cap® II — wefted back | 100% hand-tied base throughout |
| Peso | 3.25 oz | 3.75 oz (slightly heavier — reflects hand-tied base) |
Measurement Differences
| Measurement | Editor's Pick Average | Editor's Pick Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Front / Bang | 4.5" | 4.5" (same) |
| Crown | 10.25" | 10" |
| Sides | 9.25" | 8" |
| Volver | 9.25" | 9" |
| Nape | 6.5" | 6.5" (same) |
The Elite's sides at 8" are notably shorter than the Average's 9.25" sides — a 1.25" difference that is visible and felt. In practice on the head, this means the Elite's side layers sit slightly closer to the face rather than extending as far along the jaw. Some wearers prefer the more compact side coverage of the Elite; others prefer the longer, more enveloping side layers of the Average. Understanding this specific measurement difference is the most important practical detail for wearers choosing between the two versions based on having worn one and wanting to switch.
Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch: Full Specifications
| Feature | Detalles |
|---|---|
| Brand | Raquel Welch |
| Colección | Signature Collection |
| Fibra | Tru2Life® Heat-Friendly Synthetic (up to 350°F) |
| Construcción de la tapa | 100% Hand-Tied Throughout — Sheer Indulgence™ Temple-to-Temple Lace Front + 100% Hand-Tied Monofilament Top + 100% Hand-Tied Base |
| Design Intent | Designed with the hair loss client in mind |
| Tamaño de la tapa | Average only |
| Front / Bang | 4.5" (feather-cut eyelash bang) |
| Crown | 10" |
| Sides | 8" |
| Volver | 9" |
| Nape | 6.5" |
| Peso | 3.75 oz (105–109g) |
| Style | Above-Shoulder Layered Bob with Loose Bouncy Waves |
| Texture | Wavy — loose bouncy waves; finger-style only when dry |
| Colors Shown | RL29/25 Golden Russet · RL12/22SS Shaded Cappuccino |
| Heat Safe Up To | 350°F |
Want to see how Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch looks on you before you buy? Use the Face Shape Analyzer to find your most flattering styles — then preview it on your own photo with the MyHairMagic virtual try-on app. The only premium wig and topper try-on app of its kind.
The Feather-Cut Eyelash Bang and Two Styling Modes: Unchanged From Average
The Feather-Cut Eyelash Bang
Editor's Pick Elite's front section is the same feather-cut eyelash bang as Average — a 4.5" front that falls to approximately eyelash level with tapered, feathered ends that blend seamlessly into the layered wave body. Worn forward it creates the eye-accenting, forehead-softening effect of a well-placed fringe. Swept to the side it opens the face and creates a more polished presentation. Both positions achievable with fingers alone; either can be locked more precisely with a brief flat iron pass at 275°F.
Mode One: Finger-Styled Tousled Waves
Lift and separate the wave layers with fingers — the trendy, tousled, beachy wave presentation that is Editor's Pick's most casual and most natural-looking mode. In the Elite's 100% hand-tied base, the finger-tousled result is more organic and more naturally varied than in the Average's wefted back — each strand responding individually to the handling rather than as wefted sections.
Mode Two: Brushed Fuller Silhouette
Gentle brushing blends the individual wave sections into a fuller, more continuous, softer wave mass. The Elite's hand-tied back creates a brushed-out wave that settles more naturally than the Average's wefted construction — each strand finds its own natural position within the fuller silhouette rather than being constrained by weft direction.
The Golden Rule: Finger-Style Only When Dry
Applies equally to the Elite: never comb or brush dry synthetic wave fiber. A wide-tooth comb on dry waves stretches and destroys the wave pattern. Fingers only between wears. Wide-tooth comb from ends upward before washing only.
Tru2Life® Fiber: Heat-Styling in the Elite
Tru2Life® heat-friendly fiber to 350°F — with the same practical styling range as Editor's Pick Average, extended by the 100% hand-tied base's superior movement response to heat tools:
- Curling wand for tighter, more defined waves: A curling wand at 275°F adds more precise curl character to the hand-tied wave layers; in the Elite's individually knotted base, each curled section settles more naturally than wefted rows do
- Flat iron for sleek straight: The same sleek straight transformation as Average — equally effective in the Elite
- Bang direction: A brief flat iron pass locks the feather-cut bang in the preferred position
The Tru2Life® style memory locks any heat-applied variation until the next wash. Always apply a heat protectant; work at 275°F–300°F; allow to cool completely before touching.
The Color Range: Same Palette as Editor's Pick Average
Editor's Pick Elite is available in the same comprehensive RL and SS color range as Editor's Pick Average — the same 40+ colors spanning the full Signature Collection palette. Confirmed community photography at Wigs.com shows RL29/25 Golden Russet, RL12/22SS Shaded Cappuccino, RL19/23SS Shaded Biscuit, RL8/29SS Shaded Hazelnut, and RL14/25SS Shaded Honey Ginger as actively worn colors in the Elite community. Elegant Wigs also confirms RL33/35 Deepest Ruby and RL11/25 Golden Walnut.
In the Elite's 100% hand-tied base, Shadow Shade colors are particularly beautiful in motion — the individually knotted strands in the sides and back catch the light at varied, organic angles as the wearer moves, creating the most natural-looking dimensional color display available in this silhouette. The hand-tied construction's naturally low-density quality lets the SS root tone distribute through the crown with the slightly transparent, natural-growth quality that makes Shadow Shade look as convincingly real as professionally colored hair.
Who Is Editor's Pick Elite Made For?
The "No One Can Tell" Priority Wearer
The most unambiguous persona for Editor's Pick Elite is the wearer for whom the natural-appearance standard is everything. The reviewer who describes everyone forgetting how thin her hair was and thinking the wig is real hair. The daily chemo wig wearer who has made it her go-to because it earns the responses of genuine hair at every social interaction. These reviewers describe a result that the "designed with the hair loss client in mind" construction was built to produce — and Editor's Pick Elite delivers it with the consistency that a 100% hand-tied base and monofilament top makes possible throughout the full cap.
The Editor's Pick Average Graduate
For wearers who love Editor's Pick Average and want to feel the difference that 100% hand-tied construction makes, the Elite is the direct and natural next step. The silhouette is the same. The bang is the same. The styling modes are the same. The difference is in how the style moves and settles — with an organic, individual-strand freedom that the wefted back of the Average cannot replicate. Wearers who have always felt their Average was close but not quite as naturally-moving as they wanted will find the Elite closes that gap completely.
The Medical Wig Wearer
Editor's Pick Elite was specifically designed for this wearer. The 100% hand-tied monofilament top creates convincing multi-directional natural scalp simulation across the full crown. The 100% hand-tied base creates organic individual-strand movement throughout the entire style. The Sheer Indulgence™ lace front creates a natural-looking hairline. And the design intention — "uniquely crafted to offer the most discriminating woman the ultimate in wig fashion and comfort" — ensures every construction detail serves the most exacting natural-appearance standard available at this weight and construction level in the Signature Collection. For medical wig wearers who want their above-shoulder wave bob to be indistinguishable from their own hair, the Elite provides this with greater consistency than any other version of this silhouette.
The Hand-Tied Construction Connoisseur
Among the Signature Collection styles reviewed in this series, Editor's Pick Elite joins Center Stage, Crushing On Casual, and Cruise Control as styles with 100% hand-tied construction throughout the entire cap. For wearers who have specifically sought out hand-tied construction for its superior natural-movement quality and have wanted it in an above-shoulder layered wave bob format, Editor's Pick Elite is the most directly appropriate answer in the Signature Collection.
Face Shape Flexibility
The Wig Company confirms Editor's Pick Elite suits six face shapes: oval, square, diamond, heart, pear, and oblong. The feather-cut eyelash bang's face-softening diagonal, the layered wave body's dimensional face-framing, and the above-shoulder length's universally flattering proportions together create a style that works across this unusually broad range — consistent with the Editor's Pick family's general reputation for universal flattery.
Editor's Pick Elite in the Editor's Pick Family
The Three Versions and When Each is Right
Editor's Pick Average: Memory Cap® II base, wefted back, 3.25 oz, Average cap, 9.25" sides. The original best-seller. Appropriate for most wearers who want the Editor's Pick silhouette at the most accessible price point with excellent construction quality.
Editor's Pick Large: Memory Cap® II base, wefted back, 3.25 oz, Large cap, 9.25" sides. Identical to Average in all respects except cap size. For wearers whose head circumference falls above the average range.
Editor's Pick Elite (this blog): 100% hand-tied throughout, 3.75 oz, Average cap only, 8" sides. The construction upgrade. For wearers who specifically want the most natural-moving, most naturally-looking construction available in the Editor's Pick silhouette, designed with the hair loss client in mind.
The progression across the three versions maps directly to the construction tier: Average provides the best-seller quality; Elite provides the most premium construction. Director's Pick (Sheer Luxury Collection, LuxLite Cap®) represents the next tier above Elite — extending the same silhouette further with the LuxLite Cap®'s 100% hand-tied construction, intentionally sparse knotting, and seamless transition from lace front to hand-tied top and sides.
Care and Maintenance for Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch
The Most Important Note: Hand-Tied Areas Need Extra Gentleness
In Editor's Pick Elite's 100% hand-tied construction — where all areas of the cap are individually knotted — care is more critical than in a partially wefted style. Conditioner should not be applied to the lace front or monofilament top areas, and should be used sparingly throughout the rest of the cap, as conditioner can loosen hand-tied knots over time. The care principles are the same as for other 100% hand-tied styles in this series (Center Stage, Crushing On Casual, Cruise Control).
Washing
- Frequency: Every 10–15 wears using a gentle sulfate-free synthetic wig shampoo in cool water
- Pre-wash: Lightly mist ends and use a wide-tooth comb from ends upward before washing; the hand-tied construction should never have tangles forced through it
- Method: Soak 3–5 minutes maximum; gently swirl — never rub, scrub, or wring; allow water to flow in the direction of the wave fibers; be gentle throughout — every area is hand-tied
- Conditioning: Use sparingly on mid-lengths and ends only; avoid all hand-tied areas including the lace front, monofilament top, and base construction; rinse thoroughly in cool water
Drying and Wave Restoration
- Drying: Gently press out excess water — never wring; air dry flat on a towel or on a wig stand (not a solid mannequin head which disrupts airflow); allow to dry completely undisturbed
- After drying: Shake gently; finger-style only — never comb dry waves; the Tru2Life® fiber returns to the pre-set loose bouncy wave character naturally
Heat Styling
- Always apply heat protectant before any heat tool contact; work at 275°F–300°F; allow to cool completely before touching to lock any shape
- The Wig Company recommends 240°F as ideal for curl setting in this style specifically
Almacenamiento
- Store on a wig stand or hung on a wig hanger away from direct sunlight and heat
- A wig stand preserves the hand-tied base's natural shape and the wave volume between wears
Frequently Asked Questions About Editor's Pick Elite
What specifically makes the Elite different from Editor's Pick Average?
The base construction: Editor's Pick Average has a Memory Cap® II base with wefted sides and back. Editor's Pick Elite replaces that with 100% hand-tied construction throughout the entire cap. Every strand in the sides and back is individually knotted rather than machine-sewn into weft rows. The result is more natural-looking, more organic individual-strand movement throughout the full style — not just at the lace front and monofilament top areas. The Elite is also slightly shorter in the sides (8" vs. 9.25") and crown (10" vs. 10.25") and slightly heavier (3.75 oz vs. 3.25 oz).
Is Editor's Pick Elite available in a Large cap?
No — Editor's Pick Elite is available in Average cap only. For Large cap wearers, Editor's Pick Large (Memory Cap® II, same silhouette) is the appropriate option. Director's Pick (Sheer Luxury Collection, Petite/Average with stretch fabrics fitting many average heads) may also be worth exploring; Ask Angela℠ can advise based on individual measurements.
Is Editor's Pick Elite heat friendly?
Yes. Tru2Life® fiber is safe for heat tools up to 350°F. Work at 275°F–300°F for best results; The Wig Company recommends 240°F specifically for curl setting. Always use a heat protectant. Allow to cool completely before touching to lock any heat-styled shape.
Is Editor's Pick Elite suitable for women with hair loss?
Yes — it was specifically designed for this wearer. Elegant Wigs confirms: "Designed with the hair loss client in mind, Editor's Pick Elite's construction is uniquely crafted to offer the most discriminating woman the ultimate in wig fashion and comfort." The 100% hand-tied lace front creates a natural-looking hairline. The 100% hand-tied monofilament top provides convincing natural scalp simulation throughout the full crown. The 100% hand-tied base creates organic strand movement throughout the full style. Reviewers confirm the "no one can tell" quality at close range and across extended daily wear.
Should I buy Average or Elite?
Both deliver the Editor's Pick silhouette. The Average is the original best-seller at 3.25 oz with excellent construction quality. The Elite has 100% hand-tied construction throughout at 3.75 oz with more natural-moving, more naturally-looking quality throughout the full cap — specifically recommended for wearers who prioritize maximum natural appearance and are comfortable with the slightly shorter side lengths (8" vs. 9.25") and slightly higher price. For wearers managing hair loss, the Elite's "designed with the hair loss client in mind" construction is the more specifically appropriate choice.
The Final Verdict: Is Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch Worth It?
Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch is worth it for the specific wearer it was designed for — and that is a larger group of wearers than the word "elite" might initially suggest. The 100% hand-tied lace front creates a hairline that is consistently convincing through the constant motion of an above-shoulder wave style in daily life. The 100% hand-tied monofilament top creates crown scalp simulation that looks genuinely natural at every part position, in every light condition, at every distance. The 100% hand-tied base creates the organic, individual-strand wave movement that produces the "everyone thinks this is my real hair" reviewer responses. And the Tru2Life® fiber holds the loose bouncy wave pre-set through every wash and supports virtually unlimited heat-styling customization.
For the Editor's Pick Average wearers who have always felt their wig was close but not quite as naturally-moving as they wanted: this is the next step. For the medical wig wearers who need the most natural-looking, most comfortable, most confidence-building above-shoulder wave bob available in the Signature Collection: this is the answer. The only thing you'll feel in this comfortable construction is gorgeous. That is the promise. The construction and the reviewers both confirm it completely.
Shop Editor's Pick Elite by Raquel Welch at MyHairMail.com — with factory-direct pricing, real-time inventory via Ask Angela℠, and fast shipping on every order.
Also available: Editor's Pick Average · Editor's Pick Large · Director's Pick (Sheer Luxury Collection). Explore the full Raquel Welch Signature Collection at MyHairMail.com.
