Review: A look at the SKINS Sample Set + 5 Mini Reviews

* Not sponsored. Not affiliated with Skins *

I recently decided to try out the Skins fragrance Sample Set, and this was my experience. 

Delivery was quick - I received my box within 3 days of my order. 

The box arrived in a plain brown foldable box, thick enough to secure the samples within.

On opening, I immediately got a gentle whiff of the 5 samples I had chosen, mixed together to create their own unique scent. The mini bottles were perfectly seated within the little cardboard holders attached to the box, and perfume sample strips were included beneath them. I wouldn't be needing these, as I prefer to test fragrances on my skin instead of paper—still, a nice addition to have.

Each sample contained 1.5mls of juice (approximately 15 sprays), an adequate amount to test each fragrance.  

Skins Sample Set: 5 x 1.5ml vials for R490. 

Considering that other stores typically sell niche samples for upwards of R100, I found that I got great value for the price, all things considered. In essence, I had paid R98 per vial, and also received a R250 voucher which can be redeemed against any full-sized bottle of my choice.

 

Maison Francis Kurkdjian: Baccarat Rouge 540

This may be surprising, but I had never tried BR540 before, despite the hype. It was finally time to get my first whiff of this sensation, and these were my thoughts:

It smells like really expensive, pristine cotton wool that you’ve used to dab a spilled drop of candied syrup from a weathered teak table. You’re at a secluded, upper-class outdoor restaurant, nestled in a forest where the air is damp with the scent of moss and cold earth. The sun is setting, and the warmth of the wood mixes with the sweet, ethereal residue on that cotton. It’s clean, yet woody. Sweet, yet airy.

Another way to picture it? You’re walking through a sun-drenched cotton field at harvest, the bolls bursting with fluffy white, while you suck on a piece of hard, translucent candy. It’s this brilliant juxtaposition that makes it so compelling—it’s both a weightless cloud and a sugary, grounded treat.

Final Score: 8.5/10

 

Maison Francis Kurkdjian: Oud Satin Mood Extrait

Another hyped up perfume that I never got around to sampling, Oud Satin Mood Extrait promises opulence, but what it delivers is far more elusive.

Despite its name, the oud barely makes an appearance—more suggestion than substance. What lingers is a gauzy veil of incense and musk, soft yet persistent, like smoke trailing through silk. But the blend feels disjointed. The incense floats, the musk hums, and the oud—if it’s there at all—never quite anchors the composition. 

It’s a fragrance that stays, but doesn’t settle. For those seeking harmony, this might feel like a missed chord. For others, it’s a mood: quiet, unresolved, and strangely compelling. If you’re used to Arabian ouds, this is not likely to impress.

Final Score: 5/10

 

Maison Crivelli: Hibiscus Mahajad

This scent was recommended by a friend, so I had to try it. These were my thoughts:

Hibiscus Mahajád opens like a rose syrup stirred into chilled hibiscus tea — lush, tart, and unapologetically decadent. But just as it threatens to tip into gourmand territory, a whisper of mint and cinnamon pulls it back, adding a cool, spiced edge that keeps the sweetness in check.

What makes it compelling is its unisex duality: the florals are rich and jammy, yet never powdery or coy. The mint and cinnamon hum quietly beneath, never shouting. It’s this tension — between syrup and spice — that gives it its charm.

Final Score: 8.8/10

 

Initio: Musk Therapy

As a musk lover, this is a perfume I really looked forward to sampling.  

A burst of citrus greets you — bright, almost brash — before the musk unfurls like a soft sigh.

The transition is clean but not captivating, and while the drydown offers comfort, it never quite surprises.

Linear and safe, it’s a scent that whispers rather than sings. Ideal for days when you want to smell good without making a statement.

Final Score: 7.8/10

 

Kilian: Rolling in Love

Kilian Rolling in Love is a perfume I’d tried before, though I couldn’t recall my thoughts on it. It’s not as bubblegummy as I’d hoped, and I realised I might have mistaken it for another Kilian fragrance I’d tried in the past. Nevertheless, these were my thoughts:  

Kilian’s Rolling in Love opens with a creamy almond note that makes it nutty, a soft veil that lingers for the first fifteen minutes. As it settles, the fragrance shifts into a musky floral heart — iris and freesia lending a powdery sweetness that clings close to the skin.

It’s less bubblegum than I anticipated, more of a skin scent that trades playful sweetness for quiet sensuality. A fragrance that doesn’t project across the room, but instead invites someone closer.

Final Score: 7.5/10

 

Final Remarks

I would recommend the Skins Sample Set to anyone looking to invest in a bottle of Niche Perfumery. I will probably be purchasing another soon!