The Boracay Day Spa Experience - Part 2 Mandarin Day Spa Mango Butter Facial

In the evening, the Mandarin Day Spa at the Boracay Mandarin Island Resort is aglow with sparkling fairy lights around its Japanese style garden complete with a bonsai tree. Lured inside, Jules and I discovered a seemingly small day spa with a menu that featured a Mango Butter Facial for 1,100pesos or $28AUD for 1hr 15min.


Being in the tropics, mangoes are abundant in the Philippines. You can drink green mango shakes, mango daiquiris and buy them cheaply from the markets. Naturally, I was drawn to the idea of having mango slathered onto my skin.


According to the brochure: an intensive moisturiser, mango butter has moisturising, softening and regenerating properties to the skin. It has also a protective effect against UV radiation and serves as a natural sunshield. 


It sounded like exactly what our skin needed after a day in the sun.


1. Aesthetics
The foyer of the Mandarin Day Spa is small, with a cushioned bench to wait and peruse magazines. We left our thongs (literally because we forgot to collect them on the way out!) on the shoe rack and put on white rubber day spa thongs instead. After a very short wait, we were ushered up an incredibly steep spiral staircase to the treatment room. It was an Ocean View Room, my favourite! As the sun was setting and twilight began, orange hues were cast over the fading light of the sky. It was the last sight to be seen before the facial started.

Chilling in the foyer

A room with a view - overlooking Boracay beach

2. Facilities
The Ocean View Room was large and spacious. We were lucky to have it all to ourselves! The treatment chairs were huge leather loungers with extended foot rests. They were extremely comfortable and were set to a reclining position for the facial. Soft classical music played in the background.

Jules relaxes in her treatment chair

3. Treatment/Service
This was practically faultless. The facial began promptly with our hair being swept back by a small one-buttoned towel. Our skin was first cleansed - wiped with warm towels and a cooling gel applied. The exfoliation used the fine sands of White Beach of Boracay. The therapist was very gentle and I could feel the effects of my pores being purified and my skin being smoothed over. 


After the second cleansing, it was time for the mango buttering to start. Slices of cucumbers were placed over my eyes and then strips of tissue laid over my entire face. The mango butter was then lightly smeared across my skin. The layer of tissue allowed the butter to slowly seep into my skin without being overwhelming since it caused an acute tingling sensation. 


Whilst the mango butter worked its magic, the therapists skilfully massaged our shoulders and arms. This was rather unexpected! The tissue strips were then removed, pulling off some facial hairs in the process, and our faces were cleansed again for the last time.


The treatment ended with a rejuvenating, non-biting, ginger tea. Jules and I then swanned outside, feeling fresh and glowing, ready to take on whatever the full moon Boracay night had to offer us.