Crossword Genius

Waxy product on counter, it's sustaining champion hairdresser? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spermaceti

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'waxy product' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'on counter it's sustaining champion hairdresser?' is the wordplay.
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'counter' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'sustaining' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'champion' becomes 'ace' (I've seen this before).
'hairdresser?' becomes 'sperm' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'it' reversed gives 'ti'.
'ti' after 'ace' is 'aceti'.
'aceti' put after 'sperm' is 'SPERMACETI'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spermaceti that I've seen before include "Chandler's material" , "It's used in candles" , "Waxy substance from whales" , "waxy matter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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