Excellent packaging in universal make-up (8)
I believe the answer is:
cosmetic
'make-up' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'excellent packaging in universal' is the wordplay.
'excellent packaging' becomes 'et' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'universal' becomes 'cosmic' (relating to the universe).
'et' put within 'cosmic' is 'COSMETIC'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cosmetic that I've seen before include "improving superficial appearance" , "Eg, make-up item" , "Facial application" , "Toiletry to beautify" , "Good for appearances only" .)