Crossword Genius

Cosmetic mum used to conceal a blemish (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mascara

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

'mum used to conceal a blemish' is the wordplay.
'mum' becomes 'ma' (synonyms).
'used to conceal' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'blemish' becomes 'scar' (scarring is a kind of blemishing).
'a'+'scar'='ascar'
'ma' placed around 'ascar' is 'MASCARA'.

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

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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