Crossword Genius

Cosmetic — half made to cover a blemish (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mascara

'cosmetic' is the definition.
(mascara is a kind of cosmetic)

'half made to cover a blemish' is the wordplay.
'half made' becomes 'ma'.
'to cover' is an insertion indicator.
'blemish' becomes 'scar' (scarring is a kind of blemishing**).
'a'+'scar'='ascar'
'ma' enclosing 'ascar' is 'MASCARA'.

(Other definitions for mascara that I've seen before include "facial cosmetic" , "black application" , "Maracas (anag.)" , "that accentuates lashes" , "Eyelash make-up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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