Released as a single in January 1982, "Temporary Beauty" was a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at number 50.

"Temporary Beauty" has seen positive reception from critics and has been included on multiple compilation albums.

[1] Himes pointed out what he saw as "a more reflective sense that maybe no one gets everything they want" on Another Grey Area, concluding that "Sometimes you have to make do with 'Temporary Beauty'".

[1] "Temporary Beauty" was described by AllMusic's Thom Jurek as a "mid-tempo rocker" with "Springsteen-esque piano".

The song features an ondioline performance by famed session musician Nicky Hopkins, who had played on Parker's previous album, The Up Escalator.

[3] Parker cited "Temporary Beauty" as an example of his improved singing on Another Grey Area, a change he attributed in part to producer Jack Douglas.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the song a "classic" while Jurek said the track "works".