This attracted the attentions of mainstream media and "War Paint" surpassed 20 million streams in the months that followed.

"War Paint" is the first commercial work from the singer following her stint on reality television show and music competition The X Factor; where she competed as part of the girl group "Lakoda Rayne".

[5] The song has a "fresh" production with the intention to create a new sound that also fits into the popular music genre.

[7] Fletcher has revealed that her song is about fighting for love and being unafraid to stand up for your beliefs without worrying about the consequences.

[7] Babenko impressed Fletcher with his editing of her backing dancers and managing to recreate her initial ideas for the visual.

Writer Jason Lipshutz opined that "War Paint" features "playful instrumentation and some whip-smart lyrical passages.

[9] Maxwell Losgar of Teen Vogue said that the song was a "home run" and "one of the summer's most unlikely pop hits.

"[11] Bobby Olivier of NJ.com agreed with the Platten comparison, adding that the song is similar to Sara Bareilles' music.

"[12] Ilana Kaplan Vice magazine said branded "War Paint" an "anthemic, liberating hit" which remained true to Fletcher's ethos.

[13] Glamour magazine's Alexandra Schwartz called it a "contagious, punky pop song" which went viral fast.

[15] Praising Fletcher's vocal, Manders opined the song should be heard on high volume, noting it has "spitfire verses".

Associated Press reported it was the "most viral track" in the United States and third globally, for the week commencing June 29, 2015.

[9][11] The song was supported via Nylon magazine and Fletcher believed that the publications coverage of the single helped to make it successful.