Elya Bulochka, from Moscow, posted images on Instagram of models' faces which she had decorated with pretty angelfish and colourful neons, popular in aquariums.

However, the images - shared with her 25,000 followers - provoked outrage from animal lovers who claimed the fish had been killed unnecessarily, saying it is 'not art, just another stupid person killing animals for nothing.'

Elya described her work on her Instagram biography as 'art is too beautiful for this planet.' 

But many disagreed and found the pictures - which were captioned 'Mermaid' controversial after Elya posted them three days ago. The post has now been deleted.

In the message, the makeup artist held up a transparent bag filled with the newly-purchased creatures, captioned: 'Guess what I'm going to be wearing today?' and later confirmed the fish were dead.

On the images of models wearing the fish as accessories, many of her followers voiced their anger.

One wrote: 'Today one dead fish, tomorrow someone's finger. Disgusted that all this is referred to as the art of makeup.'

Another posted: 'This is not art, just another stupid person killing animals for nothing.

'Animals are not things, why is this so difficult to understand.' 

While another critic wrote: 'Dead fish - it's too much. The correct name of this image - witch.' 

Another wrote: 'But why kill the fish? Just gone crazy in their fashion.'

While another posted 'sorry' to the fish.

But Elya fired back to critics: 'Before writing the comments, remember when you last ate meat.'

She also defended her actions, she wrote: 'Only your meat has the nerve endings and feels pain. Fish do not feel.'

As well as critics, Elya also had supporters, one replied to a commenter accusing them of eating meat and asked if they feel sorry for the animals then.

Many more of her followers asked if the fish were real and she confirmed they were 'already dead. Same as in your dining plates.'

Elya seemed unphased by those who were angry with her work and two days ago posted a picture of one of her models with a neons fish on her fish next to an image of her with sardines covering her face.

She wrote: 'Now I want to play you in a game of "double standards" spot 10 differences.' 

(dailymail.co.uk)