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When mascara melts, sweet sauce appears (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caramel

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

'sweet sauce appears' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'when mascara melts' is the wordplay.
'CARAMEL' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caramel that I've seen before include "It's produced by heating sugar until brown" , "Dark brown substance" , "Cooked sugar" , "Browned syrup" , "Burnt sugar used for flavouring" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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