Oil pastels are the practical answer for anyone who liked the idea of pastel and hated the dust. They are waxy rather than chalky, so they do not powder, do not need a fixative spray, and do not smudge onto everything stacked on top of them. What you give up is the soft, breathable blending chalk pastels do so well — an oil pastel is pushed and smeared rather than dusted and stroked.

Before choosing a size, look at what our own price list does across this range. Per stick the six sets work out to Rs. 43.75, Rs. 45.83, Rs. 45.63, Rs. 39.58, Rs. 39.27 and Rs. 42.73. Two things fall out of that. The 48 is the best value in the range — and the 55, the biggest and most expensive box, actually costs MORE per stick than the 48 does. Buy the 55 for the seven extra shades, not because you assume the largest box is the best deal.

Every size ships in a clear plastic carry case with a moulded handle and a snap latch, which is a real advantage for a child's kit: the sticks stay visible through the lid, the case survives a school bag, and nothing has to be tipped out to find a colour. The 48 in our photographs also includes a blue plastic scraper and a second small tool for working the surface.

The label prints TiTi, the colour count, OIL PASTELS, then SMOOTH RICH COLOURS, EASY TO APPLY and WATER RESISTANT, with Non-Toxic at the foot and a code such as TT-XP-36 or TT-XP-55. We are quoting the maker's own wording on the water-resistant and non-toxic lines rather than adding a claim of our own.

The sticks are paper-wrapped, which keeps fingers clean and stops a stick crumbling under pressure — peel the wrap back as you use it down. TiTi also makes the Artists' Gouache set we stock, so the two sit together if you are building a kit from one brand.

It suits children and students from about 6 years up. The Safencia price starts at Rs. 525 with Cash on Delivery across Pakistan. Stock, the set size you want, your city, and delivery charges are confirmed on WhatsApp before dispatch.

Why this product is worth considering