Solange Knowles' 50k hair

(BANG) -

Solange Knowles used to spend $50,000 on her hair annually.

The younger sister of Beyonce Knowles, who shaved off her long locks in July, spent the staggering sum on styling her tresses and keeping them in good condition.

She told US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey: "Realistically I was spending about $40,000 - $50,000 a year and probably half of my life - I grew up in a hair salon, my mum owned a hair salon.

"There was always this feeling of always wanting to be in the salon once or twice a week and I got a perm pretty early - I was four."

The 23-year-old singer now sports cropped, brunette hair.

News of her drastic restyle was widely reported, and she took to her Twitter page to express disbelief at the reaction it received.

She wrote: "dont. want. a. edge. up. or a perm. because. im not trying. to make this 'a style' or a statement. i. just. wanted. to. be. free. from. the. bondage. that. black. women sometimes. put. on. themselves. with. hair. (sic)"

Earlier this week, Solange discussed her interest in fashion on the social networking site.

She spoke of her excitement at watching British designer Gareth Pugh's Spring/Summer 10 show at Paris Fashion Week, but admitted she thinks some people take clothes too seriously.

She wrote: "People dont know how much i study fashion. I try to learn about the new uber talented artist/ designers b-cuz im always searching, studying wanting to discover the art form of 'expression' in so many alleys. So stoked to see Gareth Pugh's new collection.

"i STILL think some people take fashion to damn seriously. i mean im obsessed, but more obsessed with the art form.not w/ how i look (sic)."