Sempre di Raquel Welch
Sempre di Raquel Welch
Some wigs give you a style. Always by Raquel Welch gives you every style. Romantic curls. Sleek straight layers. A flowing half-up. A chic updo. A beachy, effortless wave. All of it from a single wig — and all of it from the same Tru2Life® heat-friendly synthetic fiber that can be curled, straightened, waved, or left as-is to look genuinely beautiful in every configuration. Part of Raquel Welch's Signature Collection and one of the brand's best-selling long styles, Always is built on the Memory Cap® II base that memorizes the individual shape of the wearer's head for a comfort and fit that most ready-to-wear wigs simply cannot achieve. It has lavish, long layers. It has a nape measurement of 13" that creates the flowing back length that makes long hair look its most luxurious. And it is available in Average and Large cap sizes — making it one of the most accessible long styles in the Signature Collection for wearers who fall outside the standard average fit.
In this complete guide we cover everything: what the Memory Cap® II actually does, what makes Tru2Life® fiber's heat-styling range so exceptional in a long layered style, what Always's silhouette measurements create, who this style was made for, the full color range including Large cap restrictions, and why Always has earned its place as one of Raquel Welch's most enduring and most versatile long styles.
What Is Always by Raquel Welch?
Always by Raquel Welch is a long, layered synthetic wig from the Signature Collection — built around a single, powerful design premise: one wig, endless possibilities. The long lavish layers, heat-friendly Tru2Life® fiber, and Memory Cap® II construction combine to create a style that can genuinely be worn in more different ways than almost any other long wig in the Raquel Welch lineup.
At 4.75 oz with a nape measurement of 13" and crown measurement of 9.5", Always occupies the genuinely long style zone — long enough for updos, long enough to cascade beautifully down the back when worn down, and layered throughout in a way that prevents the heaviness and flat uniformity that long wigs without layering often develop. The wefted cap construction with a permatease top creates natural-looking volume at the crown that gives the long layers their characteristic bounce and body.
Always is one of those styles that reviewers describe as feeling like real hair — not because it has exotic premium construction, but because the combination of the right length, the right layering, the right fiber, and the Memory Cap® II fit creates an experience so consistent and so comfortable that the "wig awareness" simply disappears. Reviewers consistently describe the fiber as feeling like regular human hair and receiving countless compliments. For a long heat-friendly synthetic wig, that is exactly the result the Signature Collection aims for.
The Memory Cap® II Base: Why Always Fits Like Your Own Head
What Memory Cap® II Does
The Memory Cap® II is Raquel Welch's capless cap technology that forms the foundation of Always's extraordinary comfort. The name is precise: the cap actually memorizes the shape of the wearer's head.
The Memory Cap® II uses fine, resilient, stretchy lace throughout the cap base — a material that after wear begins to conform to the individual contours of the scalp rather than simply stretching to accommodate a range of head sizes. The practical result is a cap that after the first several hours of wear feels specifically shaped to the wearer's head rather than a generic average. It will feel extremely light, cool, and comfortable throughout the day.
For a long style like Always, where the cap is supporting 4.75 oz of lavish layered length throughout the day, this precise, conforming fit is particularly meaningful. A long wig that sits slightly imprecisely can shift during wear, feel unbalanced, or create pressure points during extended daily wear. Always's Memory Cap® II eliminates these issues — the cap knows the wearer's head and stays there comfortably and securely throughout the day.
The Capless Construction: Cool and Breathable at Long Length
Always's Memory Cap® II is built on a capless (open weft) construction — the same breathable cap design principle as the Open Top styles, where the wefted construction is attached to a minimal base rather than a dense closed cap. For a long style worn all day, this breathability is a meaningful practical advantage. The open weft construction allows air to circulate to the scalp continuously, preventing the heat buildup that longer, denser styles can create during extended wear. At 4.75 oz, Always is notably comfortable for a long style — lighter than many comparable long wigs — and the capless construction is a significant contributor to this.
Available in Average and Large Cap Sizes
One of Always's most practical advantages in Raquel Welch's lineup is its availability in both Average and Large cap sizes — a distinction that matters significantly for wearers whose head circumference falls at the upper end of the average range or into the large category. Most Raquel Welch Signature Collection styles are available in average only. Always's Large cap option makes it one of the few long styles in the collection accessible to a broader range of wearers. Note that the Large cap size is not available in RL38, RL511, RL56/60, RL119, RL16/21SS, or RL16/22SS — all other colors are available in both sizes.
Tru2Life® Heat-Friendly Fiber: The Engine of Always's Versatility
What Tru2Life® Is and What It Can Do
Tru2Life® is Raquel Welch's proprietary heat-friendly synthetic fiber — the brand's premium synthetic that can be styled with heat tools up to 350°F. This is the same fiber used in Advanced French, and in both cases the heat-styling capability is not a minor feature — it is what makes the style genuinely versatile rather than merely good-looking in one pre-set configuration.
For Always specifically, the Tru2Life® fiber's heat-styling range enables a styling versatility that most long wigs simply cannot offer:
- Romantic curls: Use a curling iron to create full, bouncy curls throughout the long layers for a glamorous, occasion-appropriate look
- Beachy waves: A curling wand at low heat creates the loose, effortless wave that makes long hair look its most natural and most desirable
- Straight and sleek: A flat iron smooths the layers into a clean, polished long straight style — completely transforming the silhouette from casual to sophisticated
- Updos and half-ups: The generous length — particularly the 13" nape — provides the foundation for updos, ponytails, half-up styles, and braids that shorter long wigs cannot support
- Worn as-is: The pre-set long layered style is beautiful straight out of the box and after washing — no styling required for an everyday, effortless result
This range — from pre-set effortless to heat-styled glamorous — across a single long wig is what makes Always a best-seller. It genuinely adapts to the wearer's needs on a given day rather than locking them into a single look.
The Permatease Crown: Volume That Lasts
Always's cap construction includes a permatease top — pre-teased fiber at the crown area that creates natural-looking lift and volume at the highest and most visible point of the style. For a long layered wig, crown volume is critical: without it, the weight of the long layers pulls the crown flat, creating the flattened, "wig-pressed" look that makes long synthetic styles look obviously artificial.
The permatease top gives Always its characteristic body and bounce at the crown — ensuring the long layers cascade from a full, naturally lifted crown rather than from a flat, compressed base. This is what gives the style its "lavish" quality: the layers have genuine movement and life from the very top of the silhouette, which the Tru2Life® fiber maintains through washing and restyling.
Always by Raquel Welch: Full Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Raquel Welch |
| Collection | Signature Collection |
| Fibra | Tru2Life® Heat-Friendly Synthetic |
| Costruzione del tappo | Memory Cap® II (Capless/Open Weft) with Permatease Top |
| Dimensione del tappo | Average and Large |
| Front | 6.5" |
| Crown | 9.5" |
| Sides | 8" |
| Back | 8" |
| Nape | 13" |
| Peso | 4.75 oz |
| Style | Long Layered with Updo Capability |
| Texture | Wavy (heat-styleable to straight or curly) |
| Colors Shown | RL30/27 Rusty Auburn · RL13/88 Golden Pecan |
| Heat Safe Up To | 350°F |
| Large Cap Restriction | Not available in RL38, RL511, RL56/60, RL119, RL16/21SS, RL16/22SS |
Want to see how Always 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.
Style and Length: What Always's Measurements Create
The Nape at 13": Always's Most Important Measurement
The most distinctive measurement in Always's specification is the 13" nape — by far the longest in Raquel Welch's Signature Collection styles reviewed here. The nape measurement determines how far down the back the hair falls, and at 13" Always cascades well past the shoulder blades on most wearers. This is genuine long hair territory — not a style that grazes the shoulder or lands at collarbone length, but one that provides the full, flowing back coverage that long hair lovers are actually looking for.
The nape-to-crown relationship is also revealing: the 13" nape vs. 9.5" crown creates a graduation that gives the back of the style more length than the top, producing the characteristic silhouette of natural layered long hair — longer at the back where the layers build, slightly shorter at the crown where the permatease creates lift. This graduation, combined with the 8" sides, creates the balanced, feminine long-hair silhouette that has made Always a best-seller for years.
Updo Capability: What 13" Makes Possible
The 13" nape is also what gives Always its updo capability — the specific advantage that Raquel Welch highlights in the style's product description. Most medium-length or shorter long wigs don't have enough nape length to support a proper updo, ponytail, or braided style — the back pieces are too short to be gathered and secured convincingly. Always's 13" nape ensures there is enough length throughout the back and sides (8") to create and hold updos, half-up styles, and ponytails that look like they came from real long hair rather than a short-length wig trying to fake it.
Combined with the Tru2Life® fiber's heat-styling capability, this updo potential is genuinely extensive: curl the pieces before pinning, smooth sections with a flat iron for a sleeker updo, or create a braided style in a specific textured section. Always is the Signature Collection long style that most directly supports this kind of occasion-specific styling flexibility.
Always's Color Range
Always is available in one of the Signature Collection's most comprehensive color ranges — spanning the full RL and SS series across brunettes, blondes, reds, auburns, silvers, and fashion tones. The extensive range includes:
RL2/4 Off Black · RL4/6 Black Coffee · RL5/27 Ginger Brown · RL6/8 Dark Chocolate · RL6/30 Copper Mahogany · RL8/29 Hazelnut · RL10/12 Sunlit Chestnut · RL11/25 Golden Walnut · RL12/16 Honey Toast · RL13/88 Golden Pecan · RL14/22 Pale Gold Wheat · RL14/25 Honey Ginger · RL16/88 Pale Golden Honey · RL19/23 Biscuit · RL29/25 Golden Russet · RL30/27 Rusty Auburn · RL31/29 Fiery Copper · RL32/31 Cinnabar · RL38 Smoke · RL56/60 Silver · RL119 Silver & Smoke · RL511 Sugar & Charcoal · SS shaded selections including SS12/22, SS14/25, SS16/21, SS16/22, SS19/23, and more
Large cap size note: Large cap is not available in RL38, RL511, RL56/60, RL119, RL16/21SS, or RL16/22SS. All other colors are available in both Average and Large.
The featured RL30/27 Rusty Auburn is a warm, dimensional auburn with medium light auburn blending — vibrant, warm, and a stunning complement to Always's long layered silhouette. RL13/88 Golden Pecan is a neutral medium blonde with pale honey blonde highlights — effortlessly wearable and universally flattering across most skin tones.
Who Is Always by Raquel Welch Made For?
The Long Hair Loyalist
Always is built for women who love genuinely long hair — not shoulder-length, not mid-back length, but hair that cascades past the shoulder blades at 13" and provides the full, flowing presence that long hair devotees are actually seeking. For women who wear long hair because it makes them feel most like themselves, Always delivers the length and the movement that other "long" wigs often fall short of.
The Versatile Styler
Always's Tru2Life® heat-friendly fiber and generous length make it the most styling-versatile long wig in this Raquel Welch series. For women who want their long wig to do many different things — curled for an event, straight for the office, half-up for a casual weekend, updo for a wedding — Always is specifically constructed to accommodate every one of these styling needs. The name reflects the design intent: it is always appropriate, always adaptable, always ready.
The Updo Occasion Wearer
For women attending weddings, formal events, or occasions where an updo or elegant half-up is appropriate or desired, Always is the Signature Collection style most specifically built for this. The 13" nape provides the foundation for proper updos. The Tru2Life® fiber allows heat styling before pinning for hold and texture. And the long layered silhouette creates the kind of full, natural-looking material that makes updos and braids look genuinely beautiful rather than sparse or thin.
The Large Cap Wearer
Always is one of the few genuinely long Raquel Welch Signature Collection styles available in a Large cap size — a meaningful practical advantage for women whose head circumference falls into the large category. For large-cap wearers who want a flowing long style with heat-styling capability, Always is one of the most accessible options in the collection.
The Medical Wig Wearer
For women managing hair loss from alopecia, chemotherapy, or other conditions, Always offers generous long coverage, a Memory Cap® II base that conforms gently to the scalp, and a capless construction that is breathable and comfortable for extended daily wear. The long layers provide complete, full coverage throughout the back and sides. The permatease crown creates natural-looking volume at the most visible point of the style. And the Tru2Life® fiber allows for personalizing the style to suit individual preferences and occasions — a meaningful quality-of-life advantage for women who want their wig to feel as personal as their own hair.
Care and Maintenance for Always by Raquel Welch
Washing
- Frequency: Every 8–10 wears using a gentle sulfate-free synthetic wig shampoo in cool water
- Pre-wash detangling: At Always's long length, apply a detangling spray to mid-lengths and ends before washing; use a wide-tooth comb working from ends upward to remove tangles before wetting
- Method: Gently submerge and swirl — never rub, scrub, or wring; allow water to travel in the direction of the fibers throughout
- Conditioning: Apply a lightweight synthetic conditioner to mid-lengths and ends; rinse thoroughly in cool water
Drying and Restyling
- Drying: Gently press out excess water with a towel — never wring; air dry on a wig stand; allow adequate drying time for the long length before wearing or heat styling
- Restoring the style: The Tru2Life® fiber's pre-set wave pattern returns naturally after air drying; a gentle shake and light finger-comb restores the everyday style without heat
- Heat restyling: Always use a heat protectant spray before any heat tool contact; work at the lowest effective temperature (Raquel Welch recommends 275°F–350°F for Tru2Life®); work in small sections for best results on long layers
Storage
- Store on a wig stand or in a breathable bag away from direct sunlight and heat sources
- A wig stand is especially important at Always's length to prevent tangling in the longer layers and to maintain the permatease crown's natural volume between wears
Frequently Asked Questions About Always by Raquel Welch
Is Always by Raquel Welch heat friendly?
Yes. Always is made with Tru2Life® heat-friendly synthetic fiber and can be styled with flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers up to 350°F. Always use a heat protectant spray and work at the lowest effective temperature — most stylists recommend 275°F–300°F for best results and fiber preservation.
What is the Memory Cap® II base?
The Memory Cap® II is Raquel Welch's capless cap construction that uses fine, resilient, stretchy lace throughout the base. After wear, it gradually conforms to the individual contours of the wearer's head — creating a custom-like fit from a ready-to-wear style. The result is a cap that feels specifically shaped to the wearer rather than a generic average. The Memory Cap® II differs from the Memory Cap® III (used in Advanced French and Ahead of the Curve) in construction level — the III is Raquel Welch's more advanced iteration — but both share the same core conforming philosophy.
Can I wear Always in an updo?
Yes — and this is one of Always's specific design strengths. The 13" nape and 8" sides provide enough length to support proper updos, ponytails, half-up styles, and braided looks. The Tru2Life® fiber can be heat-styled before pinning for hold and texture. Always is one of the few Signature Collection long styles with genuine updo capability.
What is the difference between Average and Large cap sizes for Always?
Always is available in both Average and Large cap sizes — one of the few genuinely long Signature Collection styles to offer this option. The Large cap size is not available in RL38, RL511, RL56/60, RL119, RL16/21SS, or RL16/22SS. All other colors are available in both Average and Large. Check the Raquel Welch wig size chart to determine which cap size is right for your head circumference.
Does Always have a lace front?
No. Always uses a Memory Cap® II capless construction without a lace front or monofilament part. This is different from Advanced French and Ahead of the Curve in the Signature Collection, both of which feature lace front construction. For wearers who prioritize a natural-looking hairline and parting above all else, those styles will provide a more realistic result at the hairline. For wearers who want long layered length, heat-styling versatility, updo capability, and Memory Cap® II comfort — Always is specifically built for these priorities.
How does Always compare to Advanced French and Ahead of the Curve?
All three are Raquel Welch Signature Collection heat-friendly styles with Memory Cap technology — but they serve different needs. Advanced French (Memory Cap® III, lace front, 2.4 oz, short pixie, Tru2Life®) is the lightest and most natural-looking at the hairline. Ahead of the Curve (Memory Cap® III, Sheer Indulgence™ lace front, mono part, 3.25 oz, mid-length layered bob, Vibralite® — not heat friendly) is the mid-length option with parting flexibility. Always (Memory Cap® II, no lace front, 4.75 oz, long layered, Tru2Life®) is the long-length option with maximum styling versatility and updo capability. Choose based primarily on length preference and whether a natural-looking hairline or long heat-styleable layers is your highest priority.
Is Always suitable for women with hair loss?
Yes. Always provides long, complete coverage with generous length throughout. The Memory Cap® II capless construction is breathable and comfortable for extended daily wear. The permatease crown creates natural-looking volume. And the Tru2Life® fiber allows for personalizing the style to individual preferences and occasions. While Always does not have a lace front or monofilament for the most natural-looking hairline and parting, it is a comfortable, versatile, and naturally flowing option for medical wig wearers who want long coverage.
The Final Verdict: Is Always by Raquel Welch Worth It?
Always by Raquel Welch earns its best-seller status with complete conviction. The Memory Cap® II memorizes the head and provides a custom-like fit that makes 4.75 oz of long layered hair feel weightless throughout a full day of wear. The Tru2Life® fiber delivers a genuine heat-styling range — from effortless everyday waves to sleek straight layers to romantic curls to elegant updos — that most long wigs simply cannot offer. The 13" nape provides the length that long hair devotees are actually looking for. And the permatease crown gives Always the bounce and body that prevent long layered styles from going flat.
For women who want one long wig that does everything — looks beautiful out of the box, heat-styles to any occasion, works in an updo, fits comfortably in Average or Large — Always is the Raquel Welch Signature Collection's most complete answer. The name is the truth. It always works.
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