The girl, artist after return cut (5)
I believe the answer is:
shear
'cut' is the definition.
(I know that shear is a type of shave)
'the girl artist after return' is the wordplay.
'the girl' becomes 'she' (I've seen this in another clue).
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'after return' says the letters should be written backwards.
'ra' reversed gives 'ar'.
'she'+'ar'='SHEAR'
(Other definitions for shear that I've seen before include "Cut with clippers" , "Remove a fleece" , "Barber" , "shave" , "Clip a sheep" .)