nhair, based on the old digital tutors tutorial..
create curves, anywhich way. apply a brush to one curve, establish a good flat shape & width.
use "get settings from current" to set the new brush, then apply to the rest of the curves.
Adjust shapes a bit more...convert strokes to nurb surfaces. Extract U or V (whatever is going along the hair direction) surface curves.
Make a single poly face and create a hair system.
Now select all the curves and apply the hair system to them. Done did.