Solidified astringent makes up fakes (9)
I believe the answer is:
simulates
'fakes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with creating things as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'solidified astringent makes up' is the wordplay.
'solidified' becomes 'set' (I've seen this before).
'astringent' becomes 'alum' (alum is a kind of astringent).
'makes' becomes 'is' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'set'+'alum'+'is'='setalumis'
'setalumis' reversed gives 'SIMULATES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for simulates that I've seen is " Copies".)