Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

For each of the three years ended December 31, the components of basic and diluted EPS were as follows:

(Shares in millions)	2011			2010			2009
Numerator from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	522.2		$	590.9		$	616.9
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(4.6		)	(4.8		)	(5.2		)
Income from continuing operations allocated to common shareholders	517.6			586.1			611.7
Numerator from discontinued operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations plus/less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(8.6	)	$	15.4		$	8.9
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(.9		)	(.4		)	.1
(Loss) income allocated to common shareholders	(9.5		)	15.0			9.0
Numerator attributable to Avon
Income attributable to Avon less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	513.6		$	606.3		$	625.8
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(5.5		)	(5.2		)	(5.1		)
Income allocated to common shareholders	508.1			601.1			620.7
Denominator:
Basic EPS weighted-average shares outstanding	430.5			428.8			426.9
Diluted effect of assumed conversion of stock options	1.6			2.6			1.6
Diluted EPS adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding	432.1			431.4			428.5
Earnings per Common Share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	1.20		$	1.37		$	1.43
Diluted	$	1.20		$	1.36		$	1.43
(Loss) Earnings per Common Share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	(.02	)	$	.04		$	.02
Diluted	$	(.02	)	$	.03		$	.02
Earnings per Common Share attributable to Avon:
Basic	$	1.18		$	1.40		$	1.45
Diluted	$	1.18		$	1.39		$	1.45