Advantage Life Sues 5 Firms Over Deal

Advantage Life Products Inc. filed a lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court against five cosmetics and marketing companies, charging that they have cut it out of a lucrative business agreement to sell hair extension products through television infomercials.

Advantage is seeking damages of $3 million in the suit from the companies, including Revlon Consumer Products Corp. in New York City and Tristar Products Inc., in San Antonio.

Don Danks, who helped start the Irvine-based cosmetics and hair-care company in 1986, stepped down from his post as chief executive this week in order to direct the litigation, the company said.

Danks will remain a director of Advantage Life.