I think you have a point of being seen as less as a person - subconsciously or not, our culture (and, possibly, biology) has us wired to revere beauty in a woman, as a virtue. As if it was their own doing. Society is extremely look-focused and especially on women, to the point where people feel they have a right to comment on strangers' bodies on youtube videoes or whatever because it is as though they have stopped seeing women's bodies as theirs, and started seeing it as something that belongs to society. In my opinion this is also very visible in the abortion debate, where some people clearly see women's bodies first and foremost as a vessel to carry children (but that is another debate not suited for this thread). You have Facebook groups where people can comment on the bodies of girls down to the age of 12-13. A sex focused and look focused culture where women are the central object, although men are also more and more becoming objectified as those who have long made money of making women feel bad about themselves so they feel an urge to buy a certain product, are starting to see the same potential market amongst men.

This is getting off track, but the point is that I do believe a lot of people look down on a woman who is not taking care of herself and who is not pretty because society puts such a high weight on it. So I don't think you are imagining that some people see you as less of a person.