I usually use Paint Effects and convert them to polys. There is a brush called "eyebrows" (two versions, black and blond).

You said you tried PFX already...they seem to be working for me. Try playing with them a bit...Adjust the size, stamp density, bend, width of the hair, etc.

The other alternative is to paint a texture in PS. But if you need it for close ups, a texture will never look as good as an actual 3d object.

I attached a head from a character I modelled recently. It has the PFX eyebrows. I think they look ok.