Financial Instruments and Risk Management (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jan. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2008	Apr. 30, 2003
Minimum cumulative rate percentage of fair value derivative to qualify as highly effective derivative instrument	85.00%
Maximum cumulative rate percentage of fair value derivative to qualify as highly effective derivative instrument	125.00%
Percentage of long-term, fixed-rate borrowings converted to variable interest rate instruments using interest rate swaps	62.00%	74.00%
Total exposure to floating rate interest rates	69.00%	82.00%
Notional Amount Related to Discontinuation of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge				$ 1,000.0	$ 350.0
Amortization of Deferred Hedge Gains	4.4
Notional amount of interest-rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate debt	1,375.0
Adjustment for debt with fair value hedges	93.1	147.6
Unrealized gains on interest-rate swap agreements	41.7	0		90.4	46.1
Interest Rate Swap Termination Fee					2.5
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings	8.4	53.2
Notional amount of interest-rate swap agreements not designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate debt	250.0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness	0	0	0
Principal amount of debt						850.0	500.0	100.0
Interest rate on debt instrument								6.25%
Notional amounts of foreign currency exchange contracts	315.3
Net losses on derivative hedges expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings	1.7
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	4.3	2.8	(3.7)
Loss written-off resulting from non-performance of counterparties	99.7
2005 Lock Agreement [Member]
Notional amounts of derivative contracts	250.0
Hedge gains reclassified to other expense	2.5
2005 Lock Agreement [Member] | Five Year Notes Payable Issued in January 2006 [Member]
Principal amount of debt	500.0
2003 Lock Agreement [Member]
Interest rate on debt instrument	4.625%
2007 Lock Agreement [Member]
Notional amounts of derivative contracts	500.0
Hedge loss reclassified to interest expense	38.0
2007 Lock Agreement [Member] | 2013 Notes [Member]
Principal amount of debt	250.0
2007 Lock Agreement [Member] | 2018 Notes [Member]
Principal amount of debt	250.0
Intercompany Loans [Member]
Gain (Loss) in other expense from undesignated foreign currency exchange contracts	7.6	8.7
Gain (Loss) related to intercompany transactions for foreign currency change	(4.6)	(3.2)
Losses Amortized to Interest Expense in Five Years [Member] | 2005 Lock Agreement [Member]
Hedge loss reclassified to interest expense	1.9
Losses Amortized to Interest Expense in Five Years [Member] | 2007 Lock Agreement [Member]
Hedge loss reclassified to interest expense	19.2
Losses Amortized to Interest Expense in Ten Years [Member] | 2003 Lock Agreement [Member]
Hedge loss reclassified to interest expense	2.6
Losses Amortized to Interest Expense in Ten Years [Member] | 2007 Lock Agreement [Member]
Hedge loss reclassified to interest expense	18.8
Avon Japan [Member]
Effective loss on foreign-currency denominated debt recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income			20.1
Short-term Debt [Member]
Adjustment for debt with fair value hedges	2.8
Long-term Debt [Member]
Adjustment for debt with fair value hedges	$ 90.3