A woman from China, horrifically scarred in an acid attack by her vengeful ex-husband, is inspiring millions worldwide by sharing her daily ritual of using make-up to reconstruct her face.
From Tragedy to Defiance: Rebuilding a Face
Ah Hua, 47, explained that she was forced into an arranged marriage with an abusive man. After enduring months of violence, she left him. He later tracked her down and threw a powerful corrosive substance in her face.
The attack in January 2026 left her blinded in one eye and with severe burns. Medical treatment could not save her vision; she was left with one eye completely missing and the other reduced to a tiny pinhole.
Her breakthrough came while using Douyin, China's version of TikTok. "My inspiration for drawing eyes came from a special effect," Hua revealed. A filter outlined her missing eye, prompting her to try recreating 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 said. With help from her daughter, she perfected the technique, though she notes the drawn eye is still "a bit crooked."
Her online tutorials have gathered a vast global audience. She hopes her story inspires other survivors of violence. "I hope my story can inspire everyone," Hua stated.
Tragedy struck again after her recovery when her second husband, a kind man and father to her child, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Hua worked tirelessly to support her family during this time.
A Chilling Parallel: The UK's Acid Attack Crisis
Disturbingly, acid and corrosive substance attacks are surging in the United Kingdom. Official figures show a shocking 75% increase in such assaults from 2022 to 2023, rising from 710 offences to 1,244.
Women are disproportionately affected. In cases where gender was recorded, 50% of victims (502 out of 1,001) were women. Furthermore, 59% of threats involving acid attacks targeted women.
Alarmingly, the prosecution rate for these crimes is critically low. Only 8% of offenders face legal action. Legal experts attribute this to victims' and witnesses' fear of retaliation or trauma, which prevents them from coming forward.
If you have been affected by domestic violence or coercive control, you can call Refuge's free 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
