Here is the info you are after....
Setting the skin at client start.
Create a new file called eq2.ini in the EverQuest II directory
Edit it like so
----------------------------------------------
cl_ui_skinname
Allure (this is the folder name of mod, not the name found in eq2ui_skininfo.xml)
cl_ui_subdir UI/
----------------------------------------------
This will load the skin in the directory "C:\Program Files\Sony\EverQuest II Beta\UI\Allure" at client startup.
Patching wont remove this file, so you will be sweet.
You can thank me later.
Now get to work.