John,

If you like using soap, especially glycerin soap, I get better results lathering in a mug or bowl that does not contain the soap. The reason is that it's hard to control the soap/water mixture. You need to be able to whip up the lather, but if the soap is in the mug the whipping will add more soap.

I keep my soap in a little Pyrex glass container with a rubber lid. I load the brush up with soap, then go to a bowl or to my face to build the lather.

Just a thought,
Josh