What counts is the end result, IMO You have achieved an end result that looks damn good... Number 3 is great. There are quite a few artists that use photo hair..it makes the character look real. I would think blending in real eyes, facial features, etc over a poser model would be the perfect way to achieve the realistic effect. I've been on the same task...photorealism..but have fallen far short of desired result so far..but just using Poser, textures, hair....and lighting, not photo references...but by using them, you have given the image the final push.

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together.
All things connect......Chief Seattle, 1854