Review on Explore a World of Vibrant Artistry with Conté à Paris Pastel Pencils - 48 Assorted Colors by Keely Simmons

I've been using this brand of pencils for a long time but I usually buy them locally. When I bought the set through the mail, they arrived with broken and chipped tips. After cleaning them and trying to sharpen them, I quickly found that most of them had broken cores. I know very well the problems of sharpening pastel pencils and have been using them for many years. The packaging of these pens is inferior, especially considering the price. They are packaged in a thin cardboard box with a very thin plastic tray. There is no padding. The pencils I received wouldn't stay in the slots causing the tips to break and put pressure on the rest of the pencil. I sent back the set that came from the UK and ordered a second set closer to where I live. This set was better but there are other pens that I can't use due to broken tips. The reason I kept them is because these pens work great with soft pastels. They have a chalky consistency and mix easily, but are also great for detailing. The colors are beautiful and varied.