• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, May 3, 2011

At Avon Products, income from continuing operations jumped 256% to $152.2 million in the first quarter, up from $42.7 million in the same period a year ago. And sales rose 7% to $2.59 billion, from $2.42 billion in the same period last year, or 4% in constant dollars. But total units declined 1%, as did the number of active Avon representatives.

The New York-based company says sales of its beauty products advanced 8%, with gains in each category: Fragrance sales increased 10%, personal care 8%; skincare 7%; and color 6%.