Repurchase of Helen of Troy Common Stock (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013 Share-based compensation	Aug. 31, 2014 Share-based compensation	Aug. 31, 2013 Share-based compensation	May 31, 2014 Performance-based Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards Former CEO	May 31, 2014 Performance-based Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards Certain employees	May 31, 2013 Performance-based Restricted stock awards Former CEO	Mar. 14, 2014 Dutch auction self tender	May 31, 2014 Open market transactions	Aug. 31, 2014 Open market or tender offer	Aug. 31, 2013 Open market or tender offer
Repurchase of common stock
Shares authorized for purchase in the open market or through private transactions	265,430,000
Common stock repurchased and retired (in shares)		636	70,079	13,453	68,086	1,993	9,898	3,693,816	408,327	4,102,143	33,862
Common stock repurchased and retired, total cost or aggregate market value		$ 27	$ 4,686	$ 490	$ 4,570	$ 120	$ 350	$ 247,830	$ 25,770	$ 273,599	$ 1,311
Average price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 42.89	$ 66.87	$ 36.44	$ 67.10	$ 59.13	$ 35.55			$ 66.70	$ 38.71
Shares of common stock tendered by employees in "net exercise" transactions	0

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For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer settles employees' income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the number of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

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- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. The excess of the purchase price over par value can be charged against retained earnings (once the excess is fully allocated to additional paid in capital).

+ References

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- Definition

The remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Total cost of shares repurchased divided by the total number of shares repurchased.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405813&loc=d3e23239-112655

+ Details

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