Like a layer to be in a pale colour (5)
I believe the answer is:
ashen
'colour' is the definition.
(I know that ashen is or was a colour)
'like a layer' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'a layer' becomes 'hen' (hens lay eggs).
'as'+'hen'='ASHEN'
'to be in a pale' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ashen that I've seen before include "Livid" , "Anaemic-looking" , "Pallid like fire residue" , "Grey in colour" , "may be pale with shock" .)