Toison D'or extra soft pastels are made from premium pigments and minimal binders for an intensely colored stick. They are slightly less fragile than other artist quality pastels, and hold up well to full coverage applications.  Their smooth, velvety laydown makes them well suited to blending and layering -- ideal for pastel paintings.  Each stick is wrapped in paper and cushioined in a foam insert. A final fixative is highly recommended.