Inayah Sher could not be a more perfect advert for her product.

Her oval face, smooth, clear skin and long, silky hair make the fact that she is a forty-something grandmother extremely difficult to grasp.

“I am – really!” she laughs, as both me and T&A photographer Lucy shake our heads in disbelief.

That she looks so good can only help reinforce the message that she is trying to convey through her business, which has two things at its heart – beauty and the environment.

Inayah runs courses showing people how to create beauty products from natural materials. Using a wealth of ingredients such as beeswax, lavender, coconut oil and honey, she makes face, body and hair products.

Taking jars, spoons, mixing bowls and pans, she uses what she calls her “secret formulas” to whip up the cosmetics we are accustomed to buying over the counter. Moisturiser, body wash, lip balm, shampoo, conditioner – the list goes on.

She also makes household cleaning products using natural ingredients, eliminating the need for chemicals.

I join Inayah at a class she holds weekly at Attock Community Association in Melbourne Street, Bradford. Seeing the ingredients – including liquorice extract, neroli, shea butter and peppermint – neatly lined up in bottles and jars, I couldn’t wait to start.

Clearly, the other members of the class, who gave me a warm welcome, shared my enthusiasm.

Beverley Liburd, Mary Cooksey, Nicola Nicol, Vivienne Ashton and Afifa Sunder were advocates of Inayah’s natural beauty regime. “I’ve been on two courses and have made lip balm and face cream for myself and my daughter,” says Mary. “She has a skin allergy sparked by some creams, but this really suits her.”

Beverley’s enthusiasm is palpable. “We’ve made some wonderful products. I made a cream with camomile and frankincense that is really good for eczema, and my lip balm contained orange, mandarin, grapefruit and jasmine,” she says.

“It is so amazing, it makes my lips really moist – try it.” She passes a small glass container across the table. I dip my finger in and smooth a little over my lips. It’s lovely.

Inayah’s interest in using natural ingredients to make cosmetics was sparked after she qualified as an aromatherapist. “A client came to see me asking for a moisturiser. She wanted something natural, which contained essential oils. I went home and did some research into how I could use a base product such as aqueous cream into which I could blend essential oils to make it as close to nature as possible.”

Early attempts were, she confesses, not a success. “Then, because I dabble with oils, I decided to buy raw ingredients and develop something myself.”

She remembered how her grandmother had used natural ingredients for many purposes, using mixes passed down through generations, so she asked family members for their secrets.

“My mum used to use jojoba oil for removing kohl and mascara, and she used sweet almond oil as a body moisturiser,” recalls Inayah. “And she used mustard oil for muscular aches and pains, and avocado for dry hair. I don’t think any of us used commercial hair conditioner.”

I’m going to make lip balm, and Inayah asks me to select essential oils to add to beeswax and jojoba. I choose lavender, and measure a small amount to add to the mixture. Inayah adds neroli, which blends well with lavender.

I place the ingredients in a small pan, heat it and gently stir. The smell is subtle, a sort of floral-honey mix. Once the ingredients liquify, Inayah pours a small amount into a tiny jar. “You have to pour it as soon as possible, or it will solidify in the pan,” she says. She allows it to cool for a few minutes, and that’s it.

The process is simple, taking no more than 15 minutes from measuring out the ingredients to holding a jar of lip balm. I can’t wait to try it, and rub a little on. It is gorgeous – smooth, with a delicious smell. I can detect all the ingredients, none are overpowering. Says Nicola, who has begun a course in aromatherapy since joining Inayah’s class: “She’s really inspired us all.”

After making moisturisers and lip balm, the group are about to progress to natural perfume, and they are also eager to learn how to make nature-friendly multi-surface cleaner.

The course is lottery-funded, with participants paying for materials only. Inayah also demonstrates her skills at private parties.

For more details of Inayah’s courses, contact her on 07969 357670 or e-mail: inayahsher@ yahoo.co.uk. Attock Community Association runs a number of courses and support programmes including healthy cooking, pilates, aromatherapy, jujitsu, interview skills and job search. For more information, ring (01274) 412444.