Yes, there is a type of “game” guys are taught by the internet/books/their mates which relies (in part) on the back-handed compliment. There’s also just sour grapes, as in the examples Sunshine and Lemonade gave. Her suggested response is good, too.

As for how to take it, I would say ideally you wouldn’t just be mean in return, although if it’s just some random dude at a bar, that can be appropriate. But if they’re mean to you and you’re mean to them, everyone has a sucky day and no one learns anything. I like Inky’s “Are you okay?” Variations: “Why would you say that?” or “How rude are you?” or “Are you having that bad of a day that you have to go around calling people ugly now?”

Let them know that what they’re doing is not cool, and makes them look bad.

And for you: it’s not up to other people to vote on whether you are beautiful or not. That’s ridiculous. You look how you look. Just dress however’s right for you and forget anyone else’s opinion on it. You don’t need their approval. And you definitely don’t need to live in their make-believe world where beauty is the only quality that could ever allow you to be loved. Sister, that is bullshit. When someone gives you bullshit, you don’t have to pick it up. It’s their shit. Let them get filthy dealing with it.