Crossword Genius

Make pretty sailor stick around (4,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tart up

'make pretty' is the definition.

'sailor stick around' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'tar' (tar is a kind of sailor).
'stick' becomes 'put'.
'around' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'put' written backwards gives 'tup'.
'tar'+'tup'='TART UP'

(Another definition for tart up that I've seen is " Make (someone) attractive through dress or make-up (colloq.)".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app