Earnings per Share and Share Repurchases (Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedByCommonClass [Line Items]
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ 31.6	$ 164.2	$ 119.7	$ 522.6
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(0.8)	(1.4)	(2.7)	(4.4)
Income from continuing operations allocated to common shareholders	30.8	162.8	117.0	518.2
Loss from discontinued operations plus/less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	(8.6)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	0	0	0	0
Loss allocated to common shareholders	0	0	0	(8.6)
Income attributable to Avon less amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest	31.6	164.2	119.7	514.0
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	(0.8)	(1.4)	(2.7)	(4.4)
Income allocated to common shareholders	$ 30.8	$ 162.8	$ 117.0	$ 509.6
Basic EPS weighted-average shares outstanding	432.1	430.7	431.8	430.3
Diluted effect of assumed conversion of stock options	0.4	1.5	0.7	1.8
Diluted EPS adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding	432.5	432.2	432.5	432.1
Earnings Per Common Share from continuing operations, Basic	$ 0.07	$ 0.38	$ 0.27	$ 1.20
Earnings Per Common Share from continuing operations, Diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.38	$ 0.27	$ 1.20
Loss per Common Share from discontinued operations, Basic	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)
Loss Per Common Share from discontinued operations, Diluted	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)
Earnings per Common Share attributable to Avon, Basic	$ 0.07	$ 0.38	$ 0.27	$ 1.18
Earnings per Common Share attributable to Avon, Diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.38	$ 0.27	$ 1.18