If you're comparing the Raquel Welch Sparkle wig and the Raquel Welch Voltage wig, the two short styles may appear similar at first. Both are lightweight synthetic wigs with Average-size open caps, but their cuts, proportions and styling possibilities are noticeably different.
Sparkle by Raquel Welch is a polished, face-framing short wig with medium-length bangs, a smooth top and a closely tailored neckline. Voltage by Raquel Welch has barely waved layers, more height at the crown and additional length through the sides, back and nape, giving it a fuller and more versatile silhouette.
In this Raquel Welch Sparkle vs. Voltage comparison, we'll look at their style, length, bangs, cap construction, fit, colors and styling differences. If you're shopping more broadly, you can also explore our complete selection of short wigs and Raquel Welch wigs.
Sparkle by Raquel Welch, shown in SS9/24 Shaded Iced Cafe Latte.
Raquel Welch Sparkle vs. Voltage: Key Differences
The easiest way to understand the difference between these two short wigs is to look at the silhouette each creates.
Sparkle: A chic, face-framing short cut with medium-length bangs, a smooth top and front, textured layers and a closely cropped nape.
Voltage: A short, barely waved layered style with a taller crown and more length through the sides, back and nape. It can be worn fuller and tousled or smoother and sleeker.
Sparkle vs. Voltage Wig Comparison at a Glance
| Feature |
Sparkle |
Voltage |
| Style |
Face-framing layered cut with medium-length bangs |
Short, barely waved all-over layers |
| Overall Length |
Short |
Short |
| Bangs |
Medium-length bangs |
No defined bang described |
| Cap |
Open cap, Memory Cap Base II |
Open cap, Memory Cap Base II |
| Cap Size |
Average |
Average |
| Fiber |
Synthetic |
Synthetic |
| Weight |
2.25 oz (64 g) |
2.25 oz (65 g) |
| Front |
4.0" |
4.0" |
| Crown |
4.0" |
5.0" |
| Sides |
3.0" |
3.5" |
| Back |
2.5" |
3.0" |
| Nape |
1.5" |
2.25" |
The measurements reveal the most important difference. Although both wigs have a 4-inch front and weigh approximately the same, Voltage has one additional inch at the crown and extra length at the sides, back and nape. Sparkle therefore creates a more closely tailored short silhouette, while Voltage provides more hair to shape and style.
Sparkle Wig by Raquel Welch: Short, Layered and Face-Framing
Sparkle by Raquel Welch is a short, face-framing layered wig with a polished shape. Its smooth top and front transition into medium-length bangs, while shorter textured layers add movement through the sides and back.
The 4-inch front and 4-inch crown provide enough length around the face to create a defined fringe without turning Sparkle into a longer style. If bangs are an important part of the look you're trying to achieve, compare Sparkle with our broader collection of wigs with bangs.
Sparkle becomes particularly compact toward the neckline. The back measures 2.5 inches and the nape only 1.5 inches, giving the wig a clean, closely cropped finish at the neck.
Sparkle by Raquel Welch features a smooth top, face-framing bangs and short textured layers.
Voltage Wig by Raquel Welch: Short, Tousled and Versatile
Voltage by Raquel Welch takes a different approach to the short layered wig. Its barely waved layers can be worn with more fullness and texture or smoothed into a sleeker silhouette.
Voltage has a 5-inch crown, compared with Sparkle's 4 inches. Its 3.5-inch sides, 3-inch back and 2.25-inch nape are also longer than Sparkle's corresponding measurements. Those differences give Voltage a fuller shape and additional styling flexibility.
If you enjoy changing the finish of a short hairstyle, Voltage provides more length to work with. Finger styling can emphasize its tousled layers, while smoothing the hair creates a more controlled appearance. A light styling product such as HairUWear Shape Holding Spray can help maintain the desired shape.
Voltage by Raquel Welch features short, barely waved layers that can be worn tousled or smoother.
Sparkle vs. Voltage Cap Construction and Comfort
Sparkle and Voltage use the same basic open cap with Memory Cap Base II construction. This is one area where the two wigs are much more alike than different.
Features listed for both caps include:
- Perma tease at the crown for lift
- Velvet-covered front band
- Open, bendable ear tabs designed to accommodate glasses
- Open-wefted sides and back
- Two adjustable Velcro straps
- Extended open nape
Open wefting allows more airflow through the cap than a fully closed construction and also helps keep these styles lightweight. Both wigs weigh just 2.25 ounces.
If cap construction is an important part of your decision, browse our open cap wigs or read our guide to wig cap construction to compare open caps, lace fronts, monofilament tops and other designs.
Raquel Welch Sparkle and Voltage Wig Fit and Sizing
Both Sparkle and Voltage are offered in an Average cap size. Because individual head measurements vary, choosing a wig labeled Average doesn't guarantee the same fit for every wearer.
Before ordering, compare your measurements with our wig sizing guide. You can also browse our complete selection of Average-size wigs.
Sparkle vs. Voltage: Bangs and Styling Differences
For many shoppers, styling is where the choice between Sparkle and Voltage becomes clearest.
Styling Sparkle
Sparkle wig is designed as a ready-to-wear short hairstyle. The smooth top and front transition into textured layers, while the medium-length bangs can be arranged around the forehead and face. Its shorter back and nape help maintain the compact silhouette.
Styling Voltage
Voltage wig offers more variation within the short-wig category. Finger style the barely waved layers for a fuller, tousled appearance or smooth them down for a more controlled finish.
Can You Use Heat on Sparkle or Voltage?
The ElegantWigs product information for Sparkle and Voltage identifies their fiber as synthetic but does not list either wig as heat-friendly. We therefore recommend not using hot styling tools unless the manufacturer confirms that the fiber can safely accept heat.
If heat styling is important to you, compare our heat-friendly synthetic wigs. You can also see Fascination by Raquel Welch, which uses Tru2Life heat-friendly synthetic fiber.
Raquel Welch Sparkle vs. Voltage Colors
Both Sparkle and Voltage are offered in a broad selection of Raquel Welch colors spanning brunette, red, blonde, rooted, grey and silver shades. Shared options include R2 Ebony, R6 Dark Chocolate, R6/28H Coppery Mink, R829S+ Glazed Hazelnut, SS17/23 Shaded Iced Latte Macchiato, R23S+ Glazed Vanilla, R56/60 Silver Mist and R51/61 Iced Granita.
Sparkle Color Options
Sparkle includes several options particularly relevant to shoppers looking for white or light grey hair colors, including R60 White Mist and R61 Palest Pearl White. R32/31 Cinnabar is another option listed for Sparkle.
Voltage Color Options
Voltage includes additional warm and rooted options such as R25 Ginger Blonde, R12T Pecan Brown, R830 Ginger Brown, R1020 Buttered Walnut, SS9/30 Shaded Cocoa, SS29/20 Shaded Strawberry Blonde and SS8/25 Golden Walnut.
Raquel Welch shades containing SS are Shadow Shades, which incorporate darker color depth at the root. Since individual shade availability can change, check the Sparkle and Voltage product pages for current options.
Need help interpreting the codes? Read our guide to wig color codes, explore our color ring loaner program, or browse our collection of grey wigs.
Sparkle or Voltage for Different Face Shapes?
Face-shape recommendations are styling guidelines rather than rules, but the differences between these two cuts can help you decide which silhouette you prefer.
-
Oval face: Either style can work well because oval faces generally accommodate a wide variety of short hairstyles.
-
Round face: Voltage's additional crown height can create more vertical emphasis. Keeping the sides smoother rather than overly full can further emphasize that effect.
-
Square face: Voltage's softly waved texture can add movement around more angular facial contours.
-
Heart-shaped face: Sparkle's medium-length bangs provide framing around the forehead and upper face.
-
Long or narrow face: Sparkle's bangs can visually break up the length of the forehead and face.
For more guidance, visit our complete guide to face shapes and wig styles.
Are Sparkle and Voltage Good Short Wigs for Women Over 50?
Hairstyles don't have an age limit, but both Sparkle and Voltage have characteristics that may appeal to women over 50 looking for a lightweight, manageable short hairstyle.
Sparkle provides a polished, face-framing shape with bangs and a closely tailored neckline. Voltage offers a softer, more changeable silhouette with extra crown height and barely waved layers. Both weigh just 2.25 ounces and use open cap construction.
If you're wearing a wig for the first time, our new to wigs guide explains the basics. Shoppers experiencing medically related hair loss can also visit our medical wig information resource.
Other Short Raquel Welch Wigs to Compare
Sparkle and Voltage aren't your only options. If you're researching the best Raquel Welch short wig for your preferred style, two additional designs worth comparing are Trend Setter and Fascination.
Trend Setter by Raquel Welch
Trend Setter by Raquel Welch, also searched as Trendsetter, is a contemporary chin-length shag featuring layered, flipped and textured ends. Its 4-inch nape provides considerably more length at the neckline than either Sparkle or Voltage.
Fascination by Raquel Welch
Fascination by Raquel Welch is a short boy-cut style with additional length on top, an extended nape and textured ends. Unlike Sparkle and Voltage, Fascination uses Tru2Life heat-friendly synthetic fiber.
| Feature |
Sparkle |
Voltage |
Trend Setter |
Fascination |
| Style |
Layered, face-framing, bangs |
Barely waved layers |
Chin-length shag, flipped ends |
Boy cut, waves or straight |
| Weight |
2.25 oz |
2.25 oz |
2.5 oz |
2.50 oz |
| Nape |
1.5" |
2.25" |
4.0" |
2.25" |
| Cap |
Open cap |
Open cap |
Open cap |
Open cap |
| Heat-Friendly? |
Not listed |
Not listed |
Not listed |
Yes — Tru2Life |
You can compare even more styles in our Short Wigs Collection or browse the complete Raquel Welch Wigs Collection.
Raquel Welch Sparkle vs. Voltage FAQ
What Is the Difference Between Sparkle and Voltage by Raquel Welch?
Sparkle is a short, face-framing layered wig with medium-length bangs, a smooth top and a closely cropped neckline. Voltage features short, barely waved layers and has more length at the crown, sides, back and nape, giving it a fuller silhouette and more styling flexibility.
Is Sparkle by Raquel Welch a Short Wig?
Yes. Sparkle is a short wig with a 4-inch front, 4-inch crown, 3-inch sides, 2.5-inch back and 1.5-inch nape.
Is Voltage by Raquel Welch a Short Wig?
Yes. Voltage is a short wig with a 4-inch front, 5-inch crown, 3.5-inch sides, 3-inch back and 2.25-inch nape.
Does the Raquel Welch Sparkle Wig Have Bangs?
Yes. Sparkle features medium-length bangs that blend into its short, face-framing layered style.
What Cap Construction Do Sparkle and Voltage Use?
Both wigs use an open cap with Memory Cap Base II construction. Features include a velvet-covered front band, bendable open ear tabs, open-wefted sides and back, adjustable Velcro straps and an extended open nape.
Can You Wear Glasses With Sparkle or Voltage?
The open, bendable ear tabs used on both cap constructions are designed to accommodate glasses.
How Much Do Sparkle and Voltage Wigs Weigh?
Both are listed at 2.25 ounces. Sparkle is approximately 64 grams and Voltage approximately 65 grams.
What Cap Size Are Sparkle and Voltage?
Both are offered in Average cap size. Use our wig sizing guide to compare your measurements before ordering.
Do Sparkle and Voltage Come in Grey or White?
Both include grey shades such as R56/60 Silver Mist, R51/61 Iced Granita, R119G Gradient Smoke and R511G Gradient Charcoal. Sparkle also offers white shades including R60 White Mist and R61 Palest Pearl White, subject to current availability.
Which Raquel Welch Short Wig Better Matches Your Style?
The most important difference between Sparkle and Voltage isn't their weight or cap construction—those are nearly identical. It's the shape and styling of the hair.
Sparkle emphasizes a polished, face-framing look with medium-length bangs and a shorter, more tailored neckline. Voltage provides more crown height, slightly longer sides and back, and barely waved layers that can be worn with more or less volume.
If neither silhouette is quite what you're looking for, explore the full Short Wigs Collection to compare additional lengths, textures, cap constructions and brands.
