Hilary Duff Swears Her New Hair Color Isn't a Gender Reveal

It's a case of déjà vu for Hilary Duff — or, more accurately, déjà blue. After going blue last April, Duff is at it again. In her latest Instagram post, she showed off a brand-new dye job, which is slightly lighter than her last go-round with the color and, she insists, has nothing to do with her baby on the way. Duff explained that the color came courtesy of superstar styling team Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee at celeb-favorite Nine Zero One Salon and that she took every precaution to make sure that the process was safe for her pregnancy.

"Well.... you guessed it. The minute I got home from New York I needed a change. and all I can say is @riawna and @nikkilee901 love me a lot," Duff wrote, adding the requisite mermaid emoji. "1- for saying yes to another crazy change this late in my pregnancy (at least I didn't cut bangs!) and 2- it took all damn day! Love you guys the most."

She went on to say that her mom thought that the change was some sort of covert gender-reveal stunt — but it's not.

"I swear this doesn't mean I'm having a boy," she finished. "My mom thought I was trying to tell everyone something!"

Lee shared the "magic formula" for the look, just in case any fans want to get the exact same hue. Lee also confirmed that Duff's 2020 blue hair was very real and not a wig. And as for 2021's dye job? It's undoubtedly real. Duff's Instagram gallery shows the finished product and the process behind it — not to mention some pretty cute family snapshots, too.

"Hilary is no stranger to a fun hair color. She colored her own hair teal during lockdown. This mix of blues just hits different on her, though! In order to get her hair this vibrant Cotton Candy Blue, I had to first pre-lighten her hair with Joico's Blonde Life. Thank god I had my bestie Riawna Capri to help me because we put in what felt like hundreds of foils," Lee said. "After processing, we did a quick pre-tone to kick out any unwanted yellow before applying the blue. This was an important step, as the blue mixed with yellow could've gone green. We then applied the magic, Joico's Color Intensity True Blue and Mermaid Blue from roots to mid-shaft. Then, for her ends, Mermaid Blue with a splash of Peacock Green. After, we did a deep conditioning treatment on her hair with In Common's Crystal Cashmere to lock and seal everything in. We're obsessed with this look! She is goals in many ways, but to be pregnant and rock this color with so much confidence is everything!"