Hi Liz,
The read me file for YouCam 2 states a few things to try and ensure are set up correctly.
When you use an avatar effect, please ensure the video size is above 320x240 and avoid a low light environment. A video size below 320x240 is too small to track facial features accurately. Within a low light environment, such as a dark room or outdoors at night, most webcams drop their frame rates automatically, which will also result in poor tracking results.
CyberLink YouCam's facial tracking ability for avatars may decline when you move rapidly or move out of the webcam frame. When the facial tracking result is lost (the avatar's actions does not sync with your actions), please calibrate by placing your face in the center of the webcam video frame and then look straight at the webcam. CyberLink YouCam will automatically re-calibrate the facial tracking.
Ensure you are sitting relatively close to the webcam...though I am guess you are, since it is a laptop.
Dave