Results of Operations by Quarter (Components Impacting Operating Profit) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Total costs to implement restructuring initiatives	$ 37.8	$ 2.5	$ 51.2	$ 22.7	$ 37.4	$ (0.2)	$ 8.4	$ 20.3	$ 114.2	$ 65.9
Venezuelan special items	1.4avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	2.0avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	18.0avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	115.7avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	4.9avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	14.9avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	16.5avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	13.3avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	137.1avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems	49.6avp_VenezuelanSpecialItems
FCPA accrual		0				0		0
Asset impairment and other charges					117.2us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	42.1us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	159.3us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	44.0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
FCPA [Member]
FCPA accrual	0		0	46.0	77.0		12.0		46.0	89.0
Pension Benefits U.S. Plans [Member]
Pension settlement charge	7.5	5.4	23.5	0					36.4
Cost of Sales [Member]
Total costs to implement restructuring initiatives	0	0	0	0	0	0	(0.3)	(0.6)	0	(0.9)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Total costs to implement restructuring initiatives	$ 37.8	$ 2.5	$ 51.2	$ 22.7	$ 37.4	$ (0.2)	$ 8.7	$ 20.9	$ 114.2	$ 66.8

Venezuelan Special Items

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- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

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Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include, but are not limited to, lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts to cover vested benefits.

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Amount of increase (decrease) in loss contingency liability.

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-Topic 450

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Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost.

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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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