Crossword Genius

Rival has inn improved, but it's cosmetic (4,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nail varnish

'it's cosmetic' is the definition.
(nail varnish is a kind of cosmetic)

'rival has inn improved' is the wordplay.
'improved' indicates anagramming the letters.
'rival'+'has'+'inn'='rivalhasinn'
'rivalhasinn' anagrammed gives 'NAIL-VARNISH'.

'but' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for nail varnish that I've seen before include "Manicurist's cosmetic lacquer" , "Substance applied to finger ends" , "Make-up for fingers and toes" , "Lacquer applied to the body's extremities" , "Shiny fluid applied to the tips of one's digits" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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