A Chinese content creator, who suffered horrific facial injuries in an acid attack orchestrated by her vengeful ex-husband, is inspiring millions worldwide by sharing her daily ritual of using makeup to reconstruct her face.
From Tragedy to a Stroke of Digital Inspiration
Ah Hua, 47, explained that she was trapped in an abusive arranged marriage. After enduring months of brutality, she left, but her ex-husband tracked her down. "After he found out my address, he came looking for me and this tragedy ensued," she recounted. He threw a powerful corrosive substance in her face, blinding her in one eye and causing severe burns.
Medical treatment could not restore her sight or fully repair the damage. She was left with one eye completely missing and the other reduced to a small pinhole. Her life changed again while using Douyin, China's version of TikTok. "My inspiration for drawing eyes came from a special effect," Hua said. A filter outlined her missing eye, giving her the idea to recreate the effect in real life with cosmetics.
The Painstaking Art of Reconstruction
Hua admits she is not a natural artist. "At first, I couldn't draw it well, so I went to learn sketching and practice on paper," she revealed. With help from her daughter, she perfected the technique to draw a realistic, albeit sometimes "a bit crooked," eye. Her daily makeup routine is now an act of profound defiance and resilience.
Her online tutorials have gathered a vast global audience. Hua hopes her story empowers others who have survived similar violence. "I hope my story can inspire everyone," she stated. Her resilience was tested further when her second, kind husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness, prompting her to work tirelessly to support their family.
A Disturbing Parallel: The UK's Acid Attack Epidemic
Hua's story resonates with a disturbing trend in the United Kingdom. Official figures show a sharp and alarming increase in attacks using corrosive substances.
- Assaults rose by 75% from 2022 to 2023, jumping from 710 offences to 1,244.
- Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for 50% of victims (502 out of 1,001) and 59% of threats involving acid.
- Tragically, only 8% of offenders are prosecuted, often due to victims' fears of retaliation or trauma.
This low prosecution rate underscores the challenges in combating this particularly vicious form of violence, which often stems from domestic abuse or coercive control.
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control, you can call Refuge's 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free on 0808 2000 247.
