Another baby, another haircut! In case you haven’t noticed, Kate Middleton always sports a new hairdo after she welcomes a little one. In fact, the Duchess of Cambridge ended her maternity leave on Tuesday, Oct. 2 with her lighter locks (and the shortest we’ve ever seen from her post-baby) — and we think she looks great!

Daily Mail checked in with celebrity hairdresser James Johnson about Kate’s transformation, and he revealed it’s the 36-year-old’s way of reassuring herself. “Often when having a child, so many women want to feel refreshed and empowered again,” he shared. “Having spent nine months carrying and feeling out the ordinary, women are often desperate to feel new again. A great way to do this is with a fresh hairstyle, including a color you’ve been waiting all pregnancy for.”

kate middleton hair

Kate before and after welcoming Prince Louis. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

And of course, Kate’s post-baby tresses are fabulous! “Kate’s a great example of someone coming back looking greater than ever,” Johnson added. “From experience, I feel new moms have more confidence than ever with trying new looks out after birth in a way of re-inventing themselves. With a fresh haircut and colour each time she comes back from maternity leave, Kate takes the standard of ‘mom goals” to a new level.” 

After Kate welcomed Prince George in July 2013, she debuted tighter curls and lighter strands. “When Kate returned to work, she appeared with noticeably lighter hair styled in much tighter curls to her usual look,” Johnson noted. “Often with warm undertones, lifting the hair lighter will expose more golden pigments within the hair. This can be done naturally or through sunlight abroad.”

And with Charlotte just two years later, Kate opted for an even more drastic change. Following her normal light brown bouncy curls, she stepped out with bangs! “After giving birth to Princess Charlotte, Kate returned to royal duties with a parted fringe,” James added. “With a topped up warm gloss on the hair too, her post baby hair shine was unreal.” Kate should consider baby No. 4, because honestly, her post-birth looks keep getting better and better!