FIRST PIX - Nicole Richie Is Back To Blonde

Nicole Richie is ready to show the world her lighter locks!

Ms. Richie, who has been rocking brown hair for the past eight months, is getting back to her blonde roots. Here she is, arriving in style, for a photo shoot in Santa Monica.

As for why she hasn't dyed her hair recently, the 28-year-old actress tells Us:

"I change my hair color all the time, and I hadn't done it in a few years. With the babies, I just really hadn't had time. I'm so used to having that change all the time, and I hadn't done it in about two years, so I was just ready and sick of being blonde!"

Honey blonde is definitely her color! No doubt, hubby Joel Madden is loving it.