It's the news that has shocked millions across the world: singer Beyoncé has ditched her long hair, waving goodbye to her honey curls in favour of a smart 'pixie'-style hairdo. The singer, unaware of how much distress and scandal would be caused by her decision to ditch her long, blonde weave, went right ahead and posted sultry Instagram snaps of her showing every angle of her newfound head of short hair.

The diva, who has just finished the first leg of her Mrs. Carter world tour sold-out series of concerts, introduced to world to her new look via the artsy photo sharing service. The snaps show her posed in front of a mirror with a full face of make-up, glossy white nail varnish and some glamorous gold jewellery. But the focus is the 31 year-old's hair - or rather, lack of it. 

Beyonce
Beyoncé, Famed For Her Flowing Locks, Has Gone For The Chop.

Fans have reacted in their change-hating hoards to the drastic change in style. Reactions from Twitter ranged from "Beyonce noooo!!! Why must you cut your hair?!!!" to implying that Mrs. Carter is copying younger star Miley Cyrus who recently unveiled her edgier image: "Well beyonce cut her hair short too. Good job miley for starting the trend."

Indeed, the 'Single Ladies' singer isn't the first in the pop biz to go for the chop: fellow singers Miley Cyrus and Rihanna have also bid "so long" to tumbling tresses in readiness to rock the androgynous pixie look. However, whilst most are reacting with shock as though the R&B star has had scissors taken to her hair, it's likely that the latest photos show the star without her trademark human hair weaves.

Beyonce
It Can't Have Been An Easy Decision To Go For A Drastic Pixie Do.

The mother-of-one is rumoured to have a wig collection worth $1 million. Real hair weaves can cost up to $10,000 for a quality wig and over the year's Beyoncé has showcased many variations of her key honey blonde look. According to The Daily Mail, the singer will donate the wigs she no longer need to an organisation that provides wigs for chemotherapy patients. All eyes will be on Bey's bouffant when she next takes to the stage at the UK's V Festivals.

Beyonce
Bey Plans To Donate Her Gigantic Wig Collection.

Her fifth studio album is due later this year and will reportedly feature Ne-Yo, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, The-Dream, Pharrell and Justin Timberlake.