Crossword Genius

Guardian article on haircare product (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

angel

'guardian' is the definition.
(guardian angel)

'article on haircare product' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'haircare product' becomes 'gel' (hair gel).
'an'+'gel'='ANGEL'

(Other definitions for angel that I've seen before include "Cloud resident?" , "Messenger < is a nurse" , "Glean (anag.)" , "Seraph or cherub?" , "Messenger of God" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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