Earnings per Share and Share Repurchases (Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedByCommonClass [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ 164.2	$ 166.3	$ 522.6	$ 371.5
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(1.4)	(1.3)	(4.4)	(2.8)
Income from continuing operations allocated to common shareholders	162.8	165.0	518.2	368.7
(Loss) income from discontinued operations plus/less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0.5	(8.6)	5.4
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	0	0	0	0
(Loss) income allocated to common shareholders	0	0.5	(8.6)	5.4
IncomeAttributabletoAvonLessAmountsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	164.2	166.8	514.0	376.9
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(1.4)	(1.3)	(4.4)	(2.8)
Income allocated to common shareholders	$ 162.8	$ 165.5	$ 509.6	$ 374.1
Basic EPS weighted-average shares outstanding	430.73	429.07	430.33	428.53
Diluted effect of assumed conversion of stock options	3.23	3.30	3.21	3.31
Diluted EPS adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding	433.96	432.37	433.54	431.84
Earnings Per Common Share from continuing operations, Basic	$ 0.38	$ 0.38	$ 1.20	$ 0.86
Earnings Per Common Share from continuing operations, Diluted	$ 0.38	$ 0.38	$ 1.20	$ 0.86
Loss per Common Share from discontinued operations, Basic	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.01
Loss Per Common Share from discontinued operations, Diluted	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.01
Earnings per Common Share attributable to Avon, Basic	$ 0.38	$ 0.39	$ 1.18	$ 0.87
Earnings per Common Share attributable to Avon, Diluted	$ 0.38	$ 0.38	$ 1.18	$ 0.87