Mom's Unexpected Advice

Mom calls me and my brother up once in awhile, to check up on us or talk about ideas she may have for their house.

One day, during one of our litte conversations, she says:

"... You should start putting make-up on and not neglect yourself. You're too young to do that. You can put make-up on even just for work or when you go out..."

(retrieved through google.com.au)

That statement completely threw me off.
"Am I really neglecting myself?"
(Did I mention how completely thrown off I was by that comment from my own mother?)

I work seven days a week, most days I wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning to catch the 5 o'clock bus to get to work at half past six. My skin is breaking out, I have huge eye bags, and I can't stop eating due to the stress and cold. Not a pretty sight.

In my defense, I do wear make-up, just really light make-up that disappears after a couple of hours...

When my mom mentioned that, the image that came to mind were these over-worked mothers who's hairs were a bit fussed up from all the things they were doing, eye bags hanging out like bull dogs, and big grocery bags and work things in both arms.
Wow.
That couldn't have been how my mom was seeing me, was it? (Not literally like that, but somehow that image or 'persona').

I'm young, yes. And it took that little 'advice' to make me aware of how I've been treating myself lately. Neglect, if that term really applies.

I guess one thing that does stop me are the price tags on make-up products; but is that really a reason not to get at least the basic ones?

(retrieved through google.com.au)

Another thing would be is... I guess, I just don't feel pretty enough to put that much effort into it? I don't think I am.
If I were to look at myself, I would see a girl in her early 20's in an occupation equivalent to a househelp or maid with the way she carries herself and the haggard look on her face.

Am I really neglecting my own look and health due to the stress and work of my current situation?
Maybe.

When your own mother tells you to put make-up on to somewhat 'attract' people out there, there should be a  huge alarm going off in your head that something really is wrong with you or that you're really letting yourself go.
It really does.