Maries Soft Pastels set

Soft pastels: This is the most widely used form of pastel. The sticks have a higher portion of pigment and less binder, resulting in brighter colors. The drawing can be readily smudged and blended, but it results in a higher proportion of dust. Finished drawings made with soft pastels require protecting, either framing under glass or spraying with a fixative to prevent smudging; hairspray also works, although caution should be taken, as fixatives may impact the color or texture of the drawing White chalk may be u as a filler in psedroducing pale and bright hues with greater luminosity

Pastel supports need to provide a "tooth" for the pastel to adhere and hold the pigment in place. Supports include:

laid paper (e.g. Ingres; Canson Mi Teintes)
abrasive supports (e.g. with a surface of finely ground pumice or marble dust)