Inside Liana Kesenci’s Thoughtfully Simple Life in Bali

Liana Kesenci’s story may have begun in Istanbul, but Bali is the place she now calls home. On this lush and unhurried island, she shares a calm rhythm with her family and has learned to notice the moments that spark her creativity. We caught up with Liana to see what that looks like in her everyday life.

You divide your time between Istanbul and Bali. How do these two very different places influence the way you live?

For years, we traveled back and forth, but we eventually settled in Bali. Istanbul holds my family, my friends, and the memories I grew up with, and the energy there always lifts me. Bali is the opposite in the best way. It is where I can slow down, think clearly, create freely, and feel grounded.

Both places matter to me. Istanbul speeds me up. Bali slows me down. We still spend every summer and New Year’s in Istanbul. I love being with my family, taking the ferry to the Princes’ Islands, and letting my kids experience the pieces of the city that shaped me.

 

 

Are there any routines you stick to?

Most mornings look the same. I wash my face, brush my teeth, apply a bit of face oil, and do a quick gua sha massage while my coffee brews. I go to yoga every day and it genuinely sets the tone for everything that follows.

How do you ease into the day? Anything you never skip?

I like easing into the day. Rushing first thing never works for me. I wake up early, spend a few quiet minutes with myself, then get the kids’ breakfast ready and check their bags before waking them up.

Before school, we always stop by the beach so they can have their smoothies. Those few minutes do all of us good. And every day, we take a second to feel grateful that this is part of our life.

 

 

How has motherhood changed the way you relate to your body and yourself?

Motherhood helped me appreciate myself more as I am. I feel a deeper connection to my body and I have learned to listen to it. It gave me both a sense of strength and a calm I had not known before.

 

 

Your Instagram has a soft, pared-back makeup vibe. What products do you usually reach for?

In Bali, I barely wear makeup. It is warm and bright, so I usually just put on a face cream with SPF. I love the lightly tinted lipsticks from Gucci and Dries Van Noten. When I am in Istanbul, I enjoy wearing a bit of mascara and eyeliner.

When you want to carve out time for yourself in Bali, which wellness or beauty spots do you visit?

I have a massage therapist I trust completely and she comes to the house. Her treatments always leave me feeling incredible. For facial massage, I go to Face Therapy in Pererenan. And in Ubud, Bambu Indah is one of my favorites. Being by the Ayung River and surrounded by that landscape always feels restorative.

How do rituals fit into your life?

I really love rituals. Lighting incense or Palo Santo at home feels so comforting.

Even something as simple as taking the ferry to the islands in Istanbul is a ritual for me. Familiar habits make me feel grounded.

In Bali, after yoga, I almost always stop at the same spot for coffee. Those repeated moments make me feel centered.
What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty depends on how I feel. I feel most beautiful when I am at peace, happy, and taking good care of myself.

Is there a beauty tip you inherited from the women in your family?

The women in my family have always had a very easy, no-fuss approach to beauty. No elaborate routines, just a clean, effortless way of caring for themselves. The most important thing I learned from them is to keep things simple. You do not need much when you feel comfortable in your own skin.

 

What are your go-to skincare products?

My routine is minimal and I stick to products that feel clean and genuinely work for my skin. I trust Fields of Yarrow; their face oils, eye cream, and toners treat my skin really well. I also love Homemade Aromaterapi and never come to Bali without a few of their staples.

I use a light vitamin C serum, a good moisturizer, and sunscreen. Simple works best for my skin.

How do you handle sun protection for yourself and your kids in Bali?

We usually head to the beach around six in the morning and come back by nine. Early in the morning everything feels mild enough that I usually skip sunscreen. I love that gentle warmth and the natural dose of vitamin D.

If we go later in the day, it is usually around five in the afternoon, when the sun has calmed down again. For the rest of the day, I use a clean, lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen for all of us.

What is your favorite flaw?

I cannot say I have a favorite flaw. If something does not feel right, I try to work on it over time, and I do not get caught up in flaws. Most of them shift on their own anyway.